o2bacs said:
First I'd like to say thanks to those involved for putting on what will most assuredly be a great event. With that being said, I truly want to know why the payout structure is the way it is. Why would the winner of the event, who obviously on those days shot better than all the rest of those best in the world players, only get a 1/3 of the purse. Take away the their entry fee and that person tripled their money? I don't understand at all and that reminds me of my issues with league payouts from leagues like the APA. They have upwards of $1,000,000 in a total purse and then you play your ass off to win your league, then you win playoffs, then you battle for a weekend at a challenge of champions, then you battle like crazy to win Citywides, oh and then just then you are invited to the big dance in Vegas where there are 700 or more teams and if you win 1st place you get $25,000 out of a million? Seriously thats what this payout structure reminded me of. Why in the world pay out places 5-12? Isn't "everyone wins" kinda the attitude for things like "special olympics" type events so that noone feels bad and pouts for losing? 3rd and 4th place get 1/2 what 1st does? 2nd place barely gets any more than 3rd and 4th? 1st gets 3 times their money once you take away their entry and since I'd assume almost 1/2 that field has backers won't most likey the winner just double his money or even less? I don't understand. If they just play a 1 vs 1 TAR match they have basically a 50% chance of doubling their money. If I was one of those world class players I can't imagine wanting anything more than payouts for Win Place and Show. Something like
1st - 35,000
2nd - 15,000
3rd - 10,000
If they are going to pay out 5-12th 1,000 each why not just make the entry 1,000 less and not pay them? I'm confused so let the flaming begin, I just don't think these payouts are all that exciting. Very happy the event is taking place but someone help me out. Oh and to be honest, when I first heard of this tourney I honestly thought it was going to be winner take all. To me that's much more exciting
OK, I will try to explain this... yes, it is not as exciting as it could sound, however, it does ensure that each player will earn some money for their efforts. As said before, these are all great players, no one is a favorite to win. We want all the players to start earning good money, not just the winner. if the day comes where a world class player can go to an event, play his best, and still earn 10-15K for 6-8 place, then we will have succeeded. It is a shame that many players do not go to events because they feel they cannot win, and the prize money is no good further down the line.
If a player posts $500 for entry, plays great all weekend, and finishes in 6-8, he might take home $2000. OK, great, $1500 profit for 4 days of play, forget about travel, food , hotel, etc... But now, the same player posts $5000 and comes to play, places 6-8, but takes home $20,000. That's $15,000 profit for 4 days. Its the same percentages, but a much nicer payday. And now that player has some extra ammo to go to a few more events like this...
And yes, the APA requires lots of work and effort to reach the National Event - and win it... the difference is, our event is 4 days long, and there are not 1000's of people in it - there are 12. If there were 1000's of players, the prize money would be well worth playing for. Based on our format, with 1000 players, 5-8th place alone would pay $125,000. And winning it? Just a measely $750,000 (for your $5000 investment, or less if you satellite in). In our format, with 1000 players, you would get your $25,000 payday somewhere around 150th place or so (I havent done the math).
So yes, it would be more exciting for a winner take all event, but the players cant afford that right now. They can barely afford an event where they are assured to come and earn some decent money for
not winning. We just proved that. The reason we pay all places $1000 minimum is because if anyone won a satellite, we want them to be assured of earning money for coming. True, no one this year won their way in via satellite, but we kept our end of the deal. We promised that everyone would get at least $1000, and they are. Yes, it's not as glamorous, but it might be in 5 years when 200 "amateurs" win their way into this event for $100, and when 200 amateurs win their way in for $100, you can bet big money that lots of the worlds best players will pony up $5K to play in that event.
It is a shame we didn't get more players. If I played as good as some of the guys out there, I would have begged, borrowed, or stole money to get in this event. The entry fee structure is like poker, but the play is not... thats what makes this great. If you know, or think, or believe, that you are the best, and you can win, this is where you should be. Where are all the guys that claim to be the best? This format allows you to play, and show your skill, and come out on top through your ability - not luck. No lucky race to 7 or 9. These players are ALL PLAYING 150 GAMES before ANYONE is cut.
Anyhow, hope this helps... there are some great matches going on here, everyone that can should come watch or check it out on
theactionreport.com
