I have been around pool for 25 years, as a player, league (in house) and tournament director, and room manager. The One thing I have learned through all of these years is this: it is impossible to make everyone happy. Handicapping is quite possibly the hardest task a league coordinator or tournament director has. No one can agree on a given handicap for a given player. That is the short story.
The room that I frequent has two weekly tournaments. A Friday night double elimination, race to one 8 ball, and a Saturday afternoon nine ball tournament. Until today, it was an open tournament double elimination, race to 5 winners, to three loser side. The people who have been acting tournament directors have been working very hard to compile data for handicapping this tournament (none of these people are paid employees, all are volunteers, regulars at the room).
Today's attempt was sketchy at best. It is a $15 entry fee, with a break and run 10 ball for five dollars per chance. People have been complaining because the tournament has gone long a few times, with a claimed 1:00 PM start time we usually finish around 730, but I had seen it go as long as 930. We have eight available 9 foot diamond pro tables, and they rarely use more Than four of those. Attendance is usually around 20.
The first fail today came when it was announced that the tournament would now be single elimination to shorten the duration. None of the four "directors" ever want any suggestions or input, even from those who have years of experience in this arena (not only me). It is how it is, no input wanted or accepted. In one of The first matches today, the contestants were assigned the race and set in action. After nearly an hour of play the director came over and informed the competitors that he had instructed them incorrectly as to the length of the race and changed in the middle of the match. Myself and several others watching were outraged at this move. We all agreed that the correction should have been made after the match, and the director should I have taken accountability for his mistake. After this episode and the fail on the handicapping and other things, I heard at least a half a dozen people say they would not be back to this tournament.
The fellow who started the weekly event at the beginning of the summer rarely stays until the tournament is over. I volunteered to assist a couple of weeks ago, and this same fellow lost his first round of match, and promptly departed, leaving me in charge. With no thanks and very little help, I managed to finish The event by 730 with only one little mixup, easily corrected.
I am so frustrated by this, I will probably not be playing this event anymore. Until they get someone who has their you know what together, or figure out how to be consistent and accountable, and how to take suggestions and criticism with some grace.
Any thoughts?
The room that I frequent has two weekly tournaments. A Friday night double elimination, race to one 8 ball, and a Saturday afternoon nine ball tournament. Until today, it was an open tournament double elimination, race to 5 winners, to three loser side. The people who have been acting tournament directors have been working very hard to compile data for handicapping this tournament (none of these people are paid employees, all are volunteers, regulars at the room).
Today's attempt was sketchy at best. It is a $15 entry fee, with a break and run 10 ball for five dollars per chance. People have been complaining because the tournament has gone long a few times, with a claimed 1:00 PM start time we usually finish around 730, but I had seen it go as long as 930. We have eight available 9 foot diamond pro tables, and they rarely use more Than four of those. Attendance is usually around 20.
The first fail today came when it was announced that the tournament would now be single elimination to shorten the duration. None of the four "directors" ever want any suggestions or input, even from those who have years of experience in this arena (not only me). It is how it is, no input wanted or accepted. In one of The first matches today, the contestants were assigned the race and set in action. After nearly an hour of play the director came over and informed the competitors that he had instructed them incorrectly as to the length of the race and changed in the middle of the match. Myself and several others watching were outraged at this move. We all agreed that the correction should have been made after the match, and the director should I have taken accountability for his mistake. After this episode and the fail on the handicapping and other things, I heard at least a half a dozen people say they would not be back to this tournament.
The fellow who started the weekly event at the beginning of the summer rarely stays until the tournament is over. I volunteered to assist a couple of weeks ago, and this same fellow lost his first round of match, and promptly departed, leaving me in charge. With no thanks and very little help, I managed to finish The event by 730 with only one little mixup, easily corrected.
I am so frustrated by this, I will probably not be playing this event anymore. Until they get someone who has their you know what together, or figure out how to be consistent and accountable, and how to take suggestions and criticism with some grace.
Any thoughts?
