If you were up at the BCA 8 Ball Campionships

We were there for a about 36 hours last week, and IMHO Las Vegas is going down fast. The Town used to be clean in the “strip” area, not so any longer. Crowds of people per the norm at night on the strip were not there as I am sure Sin City is being hurt by the recession. You use to be able to find deal on breakfasts, and dinners, those deal are gone bye bye.

Think the BCA, APA, VNEA, and ACS are lucky to have the Riviera to host their events, and the Riviera offers lower room rates. As if that place ever shuts down the players groups will need to find a new venue, and I am sure it will be much more expensive to host the events in a new venue, and these costs will be passed on two the pool players in higher room rates, and entry fees.

I agree 110% that the Rivera, and Circus Circus are both DUMPS, but I do not see any changes in the condition of these properties until the recession is over. Beside they seem to always be sold out.

I went to the event with no high hopes, found a few things I was going to buy, and before heading home I decided to hold off.

Jack Justis was there in his normal spot, plus a lot of regulars were there in their regular sports. Many of the vendor from last year were not, and I would guess that maybe 12-15 of last year vendors stayed away

Michael from Omega was in his usual spot, and he had some of the Justis West Cases for sale, and I thought they were real close to the Justis’s made by Jack.

Also Sterling Gaming had a booth with the GTF Cases on display, and for sale in many variations.
 
Maybe i'm just a poor hillbilly that doesn't know the good stuff but I thought the Circus was nice. For $30/night the room was comparable to a Holiday Inn, and staying in the main tower I was a short walk across the street. It's certainly not the Wynn or Ceasar's but it doesn't have to be. I'm only sleeping there & eating breakfast at their totally great $9 buffet. I just don't get where the need for luxury is coming in to play. I know pool players like to get everything for nothing & still whine about it not being good enough. That's just the nature of it. But I think the circus & riv are getting beat on hard enough. The riv isn't very nice but I had no issues with the bar tenders or ABC clerks, and even had good experiences with the cleaning crew. So again, maybe i'm just a poor hillbilly or maybe i'm not exactly fond of people kissing my ass, so I thought the BCA experience this year was just fine.

In all honestly, I believe the negativity will do nothing but keep people away. If I didn't know better & hadn't been there myself, i'd be afraid to go to vegas for the BCA after reading all these threads. That's not a good thing for pool. I'm not trying to offend anybody or argue, just stating my feelings. It was the best BCAPL event ever this year, from a player's & simple man's point of view. If I want luxury I take my wife to a 5-star resort in the yukatan. If I want to play pool 23 hrs./day & get my yearly billiard pilgramage, I go to the BCAPL event in vegas. Just sayin....
 
The BCA Nationals are most excellent. The tournament runs smooth as silk. I've been attending since 1995.

The Rivera is old but quaint and doesn't take an hour to go from one end to the other, like the new hotels.

The staff at the Riv are always pleasant.

I think Mark Griffin and his staff at the BCA do a most excellent job. And you have to love the Diamond tables.

Long live the BCA,Diamond Tables and the Rivera.And all of us pool players.
 
my BCA experience

FWIW- the BCA is a great event, and for the money I dont think it can be held anywhere else. Sure the RIV isnt the most glamorous casino in Vegas but do you honestly think another casino could hold this event at the same price point?

I ended up staying at MGM for something like 60 bucks a night so if you book early enough, deals can be had.

Just some funny observations-

* team shirts = just say no to airbrush

* team logos = why does it always have to be a shark, wolf or a bulldog?

* cue raffles girls= kinda annoying unless you were the "smoking hot twins"

* TAR bar was pimp

* Vendors = same stuff.. although I did have my eye on a red"players" cue
w/ a rose suspened in clear plastic in the butt.

* 90% of pool players are outta shape


Long live BCA vegas, cant wait for next year.
 
Best that I have been to

definately missed the AZB skybox, but all in all with the TAR BAR, World Pool Masters and the 10-Ball Championship there was always something to do between matches.
 
Long Live BCA

I stayed at the Riv for 11 days--I found most of the staff accommodating and pleasant. I have always stayed at the Riv whenever I come to Nationals and I will continue to stay there because of the convenience of staying where the tournament is being held.

I agree 100% with qbuilder's post. This BCA Nationals event was one of the best ever. Also special thanks to Bad Boy Productions, all those who helped with the streaming, keeping up with the brackets, the Tar Bar, all the vendors, BCA staff, everything was great and I will for sure be back again and again and again. :thumbup:
 
Most enjoyable year so far for me...

- Did okay (made money) in both singles and teams
- Stayed at Circus Circus... total cost about $380 for 9days with a big room and a kingsize bed all to myself. I was in the Skyline tower and figured out a quick way to get to the Riv through a "loosely locked" door... 5mins from my room to the poker area of the Riv.
- It was hot! Some days too hot to be at the pool ... and I like it hot.
- Seemed just as busy as last few years.... some said only 200 less players, but I couldn't tell... seemed like only a few vendors less.
- TAR bar was nice place to chill on the sofas at times... Anyone have a write-up of all the action that went down (with results?)
- Scheduling was more spaced out... in singles I had a bye and didn't play till 7:30pm Saturday... won that and didn't play again till 9pm Sunday? 3rd match wasn't until Monday!

Only small grip was that it seemed that players/teams from the same league weren't distributed throughout the draw. I had many league members in my same bracket and 2 of our teams were in the same bracket... these didn't seem to be a isolated incidents from what I heard others saying... may need a little tweak to the software that makes the draw.

All in all, a good time... I'll be back.
 
I think this was another great year for the BCAPL and the players/vendors.

-I really liked Bad Boy Productions and the new scoring/scoresheets. The tournament ran very well imo.
-The LIVE updates for brackets were awesome!
-I liked the new forfeit rule, too.
-Poor Bull did lose his voice though by the end of ten days (proly cuz he said Weiner instead of Wiener one time, lmao).
-I didn't see a big sign for the pro event, but heard numerous announcements about upcoming matches which was VERY smart.
-The live streaming by OTBNews was awesome.
-The TAR BAR was the nutz!
-I didn't miss the Splash Bar at all and was glad the smelly thing was gone anyway.
-I liked that the pros were able to play in the grand masters division again.
-LOVE the diamond tables!
-I especially liked the new bleacher seating for the entire first row of tables.

-I stayed at the Riviera and always will. The convenience of staying where the tourney was is priceless. My room was fine - no complaints. For ten days, I don't care what it looks like and I got a decent rate.
-The food at Kady's was great every time and I ate there a lot. :) I didn't try the buffet, though.
-I had no problems with service. To Kady's, Kristophers, to the front desk and bartenders, everyone was really nice and wanted to help.

Mark Griffin and his staff did one heck of a job and I can't wait for next year!

My only complaint was the food vendor left early on Thursday night of the team event, which I thought was crazy - they could have made so much money, especially since the food court was being renovated. :(

I give this tourney and experience an A!
 
Scheduling

eastcoast_chris said:
Only small grip was that it seemed that players/teams from the same league weren't distributed throughout the draw. I had many league members in my same bracket and 2 of our teams were in the same bracket... these didn't seem to be a isolated incidents from what I heard others saying... may need a little tweak to the software that makes the draw.
Click to expand...


Big point right there!! I noticed this too in reviewing brackets for players and leagues that I know. Players/teams from the same league or nearby tended not to play until later in the brackets in the past.

I was told many years ago that Gary Benson (and Cecil Messer I believe) did do seeding by league across the brackets to prevent this situation. This being the first post-Benson event I can understand how a few of his tweaks were lost.

I do hope this gets addressed for future events just the same.
 
I ate at Kady's one time. Four of us. Two bowls of cereal, a french dip and a hamburger. Two waters, a Sprite, and an orange juice. We ordered at 11:57. At 12:04, we received two waters & a Sprite. The wairtress explained that she had to go all the way across the room for the orange juice and we would get that on her next trip. 12:11 orange juice arrives. 12:37 food arrives. Again - two bowls of cereal, a french dip and a burger. 40 minutes from time of order. And they were not overly busy. 12:46 waitress drops a tray of food = Karma.

I gave the Riv a chance as I respect & listened to Mark G. explain that we need to support the host casino. But if they continue to have service like this, I do not see how it is possible. Same story, different year.

Mark - please buy the Riviera and have it run like your tournaments. Surely if you can get 7000 pool players to their table assignments, you can get the casino/hotel staff to service their customers and bring out a bowl of cereal faster than 40 minutes.
 
I support the Riv every year. I will have to admit, I put up with the medium level service. But no matter what, I will always stay there for two reasons. A. Because its convenient. B. To support the host site.

I just wish the employees would have a more welcomed attitude towards us, instead of the "deer in the headlights" look of OH MY GOD, THE POOL PLAYERS ARE HERE AGAIN.:D

The tournament was great as usual!!!!! I look forward to Nationals every year. Mr. Griffin,his staff, and Bad Boyz Productions did a fantastic job.:thumbup:
 
Milo said:
I support the Riv every year. I will have to admit, I put up with the medium level service. But no matter what, I will always stay there for two reasons. A. Because its convenient. B. To support the host site.

I just wish the employees would have a more welcomed attitude towards us, instead of the "deer in the headlights" look of OH MY GOD, THE POOL PLAYERS ARE HERE AGAIN.:D

The tournament was great as usual!!!!! I look forward to Nationals every year. Mr. Griffin,his staff, and Bad Boyz Productions did a fantastic job.:thumbup:
Click to expand...
I have always stayed at Riv,my wife has players card so we got a cheaper rate,ive always found at Kadys if im in a hurry i tell them and i get food fast,if im not in a hurry sometimes its slow,dont know why,it just is, i watched so many money matches,tar stuff,pros playing out front late at night,if i stay somewhere else i miss that,bad boys did a great job,i noticed they were very patient answering some prett obvious questions,altogether a good experience
 
This was my 4th year going and had a great time as usual. You start to see a number of familiar faces and old friends.

Given the size of the tournament and the number of players , I am amazed how well this is run. Good job Mark and co.

I stayed at Circus Circus due to finances. Previous years I stayed the Riv. This year, I couldnt afford the $500 premium to stay there for 7 days.

Honestly I think Circus Circus is in worse shape than the Riv. The rooms are not as nice as the riv , I dont care as you dont sleep in Vegas. I had some friends stuck in an elevator for 2 hours and the place does have a worn down feel to it.

My only compliant about the Riv is the loss of the Splash bar and the closing of the food court. Couldn't they wait another month for the food court remodel? I mean really. Funny to see pool players still lingering around the splash bar area with drinks in their hand and chatting with no bar.
A number went over to the bistro bar on the other side of the floor. I saw a large english contingient there around 3am most nights..lol

My ratings:

BCA tournament A
TAR BAR A ...awesome good job guys. I do wish they would have posted the results on the door though. I watched a few matches for a while and had to leave.

OTHB streaming... A excellent. I wanted to watch the grand masters play but only caught the last part of 1 match. IMO there is very little video of high level pool players playing bar box 8-ball. I would like to see more.
Would love to see these guys or TAR show a long set with 2 pros (Shane\Alex) et al..

Riv - B but it is still open. I never had a problem with the staff. Matter of fact the riv opened a small area with 2 (diamond) pool tables and a bar. Just around the corner from the ex-splash bar area. Perfect for practice and meeting place for friends. Kudos to the Riv for this. Bartender was friendly too.

Overall a great time. I am thinking doing the 9-ball too next year. Of course not sure if I can handle 14 days of Vegas!!

Thanks BCA and Riv for a good time
SR
 
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