NEW Information on the Orlando Open

Eydie Romano

Finally Retired!
Silver Member
Orlando Open Newsletter
www.OrlandoOpen.com

We are closing in on 5 weeks before the event and the phones are ringing nonstop. Below is some more updated information on who, what and where is happening for this event!

Read this all the way to the bottom of the page!




Tournament Information
The Mickey, Minnie and Donald events will go to all hours of the night. (None of the events involving children will run late). Be prepared to play at any time set in all of the other events. There is so much going on during this event that is impossible to predict ANY times. NOTE: (And, don't say I didn't tell you so) It I possible for your match to be scheduled at 3:00 AM or later, Yes, I said 3:00 AM. I'm not saying it’s going to be, I am saying it is POSSIBLE. ALL of these events will conflict. You CAN play in 2 of the events above and we will try, NOT PROMISE to not let it conflict BUT you are subject to forfeiture. It’s YOUR call, we are NOT responsible!



*All tournament payout's are based upon player fields. Before YOU do the math, find out ALL the information.

**Tournament Issues ~ IF you encounter any problems at this event, please contact me, Eydie at the event so that I can address the issue at the time it happens. Understand that I cannot address ANY issue AFTER THE FACT!

READ THIS! IMPORTANT


To All, Yes, You! ~ Hotel Information

The hotel will most likely be SOLD OUT, so don't expect to go and get a room that day, cause that’s not going to happen. SO, forget about sleeping in the hallways or in your car because Mickey’s bouncers WILL remove you, I promise! NOW, to avoid these probable issues, GET A ROOM NOW! You can share it, and put as many players in shifts in it as possible. BUT do it NOW, at the radically reduced rate of $99.00 pr night before the hotel is either SOLD OUT or the room rate goes up to $179.00 standard rate. If you are looking to share a room call 630-244-2900 or e-mail me at windycityopen@aol.com and I will do what I can to help you out.

The Resort is attached to the convention space where the event is being held.


PLEASE NOTE Very Important
Booking Instructions below



To BOOK YOUR ROOM
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Call Group Reservations at 1-407-939-1020 You will then tell them your booking The Orlando Open - G-0422380. Or you can go on line at: http://www.mousetyme.com/OrlandoOpen.html





To Ask About The Resort In General Only
If you have any questions about the resort in general please feel free to call Linda at 1-603-464-6638 between the hours of 9 am and PM EST. Or Email Linda at Lindaw@mousetyme.com or contact Eydie Romano at 630-244-2900 or e-mail windycityopen@aol.com



FREE Round Trip Airport Transportation

Please remember. If they want to use the FREE airport / resort transfer you must call 1-407-939-1020 and set up the transfer no later than 10 days prior to your arrival. They will need to know all of your flight information.



Gate/Entrance Fee

There will be a $3.00 per day entrance fee to all of those who are not staying at the resort or participating in the event. IF you are entered in the tournament, you will be given a pass for each event that you are participating in, other than that there will be a cover. Please take note the proceeds of this will go towards the Trust fund for Chris (Cass) Aiardo's Family and to Vivian Villareal's Charity, "Vivian's Kids" Vivian Villarreal Missing Children’s Foundation.



Driving Back And Forth To Disney

IF you are staying off resort property you need to understand the following:

Disney is in full swing PRIME TIME during this event. It will be VERY difficult to get back and forth with traffic lines. To enter the resort, you must go through 2, yes that’s 2 security booths. The first is at the gates of the entrance onto Disney property and the second is at the Guard gate of the hotel. There will be mass lines and we cannot hold your match because you are stuck in traffic. EXPECT to be forfeited NO EXCEPTIONS whatsoever!



Tommy Kennedy~ is appearing on WEDNESDAY, August 3rd night only starting at 7:00 PM. He will do a FREE (yes, I said free) workshop for all to attend. Tommy has been instrumental in helping us from the beginning and my wholehearted thanks goes out to him for making this a success. Thank YOU Tommy!


Josey Custom Cues ~ www.Joseycues.com Keith Josey has been building superior quality cues since 1992 in his one-man shop. His cues are well known for their solid hit with very little deflection and he has always prided himself on attention to every detail for each cue he makes. You can purchase an inexpensive custom sneaky-pete all the way up to an intricately designed custom cue. Keith builds cues for beginning and experienced players such as Shawn Putnam, winner of the Super Billiards Expo in March of this year, who has been playing with a Josey for the past 8 years. There are also many worldwide collectors who continue to purchase Josey Custom Cues to add to their collection.


Pete Lafond~ SlipStic


Party on. Singles, families and professionals - what an opportunity to meet lots of billiard players from around the world with lots of fun and excitement you don't want to miss out on.

In order to create an event like this, it takes an enormous commitment by individuals. As part of their commitment they were required to reserve Disney Hotel rooms at discounts that you receive direct benefits from. We understand that many have booked rooms at other surrounding hotels and it is fantastic that so many are coming to this event. If you haven't booked your room yet, please help support this tournament by reserving your room at the Disney resort.

So Stay at the Disney resort;

No hassle to travel, a convenience you'll later appreciate

Save almost 50% on your room rate

Get free discount meal and entertainment coupons

And yes, we will give you a SlipStic Conditioner for FREE.

To redeem your FREE SlipStic a coupon will be with your reservation upon check-in. You MUST notify us at windycityopen@aol.com with a confirmation number from the resort before hand. LIMIT ONE (1) per hotel Room



As many of you know SlipStic is a very new and growing company and our interests is to promote billiards. We believe in this event and will support it as best as we are able to. Please join us to keep billiards growing.

Keep your cue's shaft cuesmith clean and slick. Consistent no matter the humidity, temperature and pressure of play, New innovation at SlipStic - www.slipstic.com Ask your pool hall to carry SlipStic brand products, laboratory developed and tested.



Discounted Park Hopper Passes
Your discounted tickets can be purchased at:

http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/ticketpages/ticketGroupSelect?id=BCA. This is the best deal you will find anywhere for Park Hopper Passes. Our Tournament Director John Stich, was at Disney yesterday to do a sight inspection for our group. He told me that it cost him $105.00 for a 1-day Park Hopper Pass. Buying it online here before you get to Disney, you can get a 4-DAY park Hopper Pass for $214.00 here is the info:



Includes four (4) days of admission to all four Disney Theme Parks (with the freedom to visit multiple parks on the same day) AND Four (4) admissions to: Downtown Disney Pleasure Island or Disney Quest Indoor Interactive Theme Park Ages 10+ $214.00 Ages 3-9 $171.00 You will NOT beat this deal anywhere!


EXTRA MAGIC HOUR, a program that allows you to visit a particular theme park on a designated day beyond regularly scheduled operating hours, is offered ONLY to guests staying at our host resort, The Coronado Springs Resort.

Morning Extra Magic Hour occurs one hour prior to regularly scheduled park opening. That means if the park is scheduled to open at 9 a.m. to the general public, the Extra Magic Hour begins at 8 a.m. Transportation for the park offering Morning Extra Magic Hour will begin 30 minutes earlier than the opening time.NOTE: You MUST present a valid Key to the World Card (Resort ID) at the park's turnstiles.

Evening Extra Magic Hours typically extend three hours beyond a park's scheduled closing time. You'll need to obtain a wristband at the theme park by presenting a valid Key to the World Card at one of several designated locations no sooner than two hours prior to park close.

NOTE: There has been some confusion regarding the new Magic Your Way tickets and Extra Magic Hour. If your Magic Your Way ticket DOES NOT have the Park Hopper option, you will NOT be able to visit more than one park per day. This means that if you want to take advantage of Extra Magic Hour, you must be sure to visit the park offering it that day or evening.

Example: You visit Magic Kingdom in the morning. Epcot is the Extra Magic Hour park of the day. You MAY NOT go to Epcot that evening if your Magic Your Way ticket does not have the Park Hopper option.


Week of
July 31 a.m. N/A Epcot
Studios Magic
Kingdom N/A N/A Animal
Kingdom
p.m. Studios Magic
Kingdom Animal
Kingdom N/A Epcot Magic
Kingdom N/A





Suggestions For Travelers Coming From Out Of Town
If you are traveling VIA airplane be sure and pack your pool stick well. Either with bubble wrap or in a specialty suitcase designed to carry your cue. You must check your cue, so make sure it is packed securely. Rain gear, this is rainy season in Florida; bring rain gear for the parks. Buy cigarettes and cameras before you leave home.



Clothing, Smoking and Food
*No food or drink is allowed and appropriate attire is requested. Any one trying to bring in food or beverages will have to leave them outside. Anyone coming in questionable clothing will be asked to leave and return dressed appropriately. Please reframe from wearing any low cut shorts or shirts. No men's tank tops. Tank tops for women and shorts are acceptable as long as they are not revealing. Sandals are welcome. Disney is a non-smoking facility; there will be designated smoking areas. All of the above will be enforced.



Registration Money

*Anyone who has sent in his or her money for the Orlando Open VIA postal service, you will receive a confirmation within the next few weeks. The cut off date for sending your registration is July 15th. NO exceptions. The mailbox will be closed at that time and we will NOT be able to retrieve your registration. No Refunds after this date. Keep in mind that there is NO added money to any of these events. All money that is in this event is based upon player entries, and based upon full fields!



Table Equipment

*Please remember that all events except for the Ring game will be on 7 foot Diamond Smart tables with red circle and Aramith pro pool balls for the best in tournament play.



Booth spaces ~ are almost sold out. If you would like a booth contact me at 630-244-2900 or by e-mail at windycityopen@aol.com The exhibitor map on the web site has not been updated ~

We would like to welcome as one of our newest exhibitors, look for the full listing of exhibitors in the next newsletter.


Questions Comments or Concerns


Questions, comments or concerns regarding the tournament call us Eydie or Bob at 630-244-2900 or e-mail us at windycityopen@aol.com Use only this contact number, not the toll free number associated with the room booking agent.

When in Florida check out all the events that The Ladies Spirit Tour is promoting. www.Ladiespiritour.com For all the best in Ladies Billiards productions!

A very special “Thank you” to Mike Howerton, Blackjack David Sapolis, Gary Hatfield, John Ditoro, Pete Lafond, John Barton, JAM ~ Jennie Malloy, Susie Levinberg, Marissa Yi, Heather Barkley, Roger and Noelle Brennan, Dannielle Mueller and again to all my friends nationwide who have helped make this a great event!
 
Eydie, thanks for the update.

Joe Tucker & I will be there. We look forward to being part of the first show-tournament & hope it is a great success.
 
More Hotel Info regarding paying with a check or Money Order:

For your players that do not have a credit card or do not want to use a credit card. They need to send a fax to Disney directly.

Fax # 1-407-939-1012 ATT: Group Bookings

INFO REQ.
Booking for The Orlando Open
Name of all the people in the room ages of all children
Address
Telephone #
Email

Notation that they will be mailing a check. And if they need non smoking, crib or handicapped

Disney will then fax back to them the reservation # and the address to mail the check to.

Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney Coronado Springs Resort
Att: Group Reservations
1000 West Buena Vist Dr
Lake Buena Vista FL 23830
 
Dont' forget the 8 Ball Tournament!

The first being an added 8 Ball tournament to Wednesday and Thursday in both women's and Open divisions. There will be NO handicap to this event so just go in and play your best, all are welcome. The fee is $40.00 it includes a $5.00 registration fee. There is no added money to this event, and we will take as many people as we get. Pay at the door for this event. Sign ups will begin at 2 PM till 7 PM Wednesday. Players auction and play to begin immediately after auction. Play will be on 7 Foot Diamond Smart tables with Aramith balls and Simonis 860 cloth ~ for the BEST in tournament play!
 
Eydie Romano said:
Dont' forget the 8 Ball Tournament!

The first being an added 8 Ball tournament to Wednesday and Thursday in both women's and Open divisions. There will be NO handicap to this event so just go in and play your best, all are welcome. The fee is $40.00 it includes a $5.00 registration fee. There is no added money to this event, and we will take as many people as we get. Pay at the door for this event. Sign ups will begin at 2 PM till 7 PM Wednesday. Players auction and play to begin immediately after auction. Play will be on 7 Foot Diamond Smart tables with Aramith balls and Simonis 860 cloth ~ for the BEST in tournament play!

What is the cut off time for the tourment? And u have to be at the players meeting ?
And will there be mini tourments ???
 
We will take entries up to the players auction. No you don't have to be at the meeting.

Yes there will be non stop mini tournaments. As long as we have free tables, we will have mini's going on them! You can also request what kind of mini you want to play.
 
I talked to Ed Hagen today from Diamond Sports Marketing. Ed was the person who was arranging the Ring Game. It seems that we cannot get enough players to field the ring game this year.. But look for it next year!

ALSO~~ If you are looking for a NEW or gently used Diamond 7 Foot Pool Table, they will be available for purchase at The Orlando Open after the event. This is a great opertunity to own your own Diamond!

Please contact Ed Hagen at 502-472-1843 to arrange delivery
 
Eydie, why don't you have a ring game tournament? I haven't seen anyone do that yet and I beleive it would be awesome. Just like poker you charge a set amount and the players get a lot more in chips. Divide the players among the tables and start them at the same time. Every 30 minutes the bet increases. As the tables lose players you keep consolidating them until you have a final table. Why not do that instead of trying to find a bunch of pros or hustlers to play in a high dollar one?

If you want to do one in Orlando I'll help organize it.

John
 
Good Idea

John ~ Get in touch with Ed Hagen at the above phone number and see what you two can come up with..

Sounds like a great idea!

Eydie
 
Eydie Romano said:
John ~ Get in touch with Ed Hagen at the above phone number and see what you two can come up with..

Sounds like a great idea!

Eydie, I attended a ring game tournament not too long ago, and it was kind of an experimental, 10-ball ring game double-elimination format. The names were selected at random by a computer software program for the group selection (6 players per grouping), as well as the shooting order. I believe there were about 25-plus players in attendance.

To be honest, though, it seemed more like a crapshoot and took many hours to complete. There was a time clock used to raise the ante, advancing the designated number of players with chips needed to the next level on the charts. All chips were turned in at the conclusion of each match, and each player started each match with the same amount of chips throughout the duration of the tournament.

Ring games are fun, but I'm not so sure about ring game tournaments. A few of the veteran players, spectators, and local social shooters in attendance expressed reservations about this type of format. If tweaked, it may be doable, though, but it's lengthy and quite time-consuming.

And even though this was a 10-ball ring game, it seems to me that luck, more than skill, determines a winner in this format. JMHO, FWIW

JAM
 
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I think it would be a fun "lucky" tournament. You can bet that skill plays a big part in it as well because of having to come with the shots when you get the opportunity.

I wouldn't do any redraws, any rounds or anything like that. Once it starts it flows until it's done. Just like poker you bring your chips to the next table.

Done that way I bet it would be good. I'll get in touch with Ed.

John
 
PS. Jam,

under the format you laid out I can see where people were bitchin'. I would have been one of them.
 
Ring Game tournament

I just became aware of this discussion on a ring game tournament. The BCA Pool League is having a 10-ball ring game tournament at the 9-Ball/One-Pocket event at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on October 25-30.

The entry is $50 and there is $1,750 added. The sign-up forms and all info will be posted on our site (www.playbca.com) in a day or so. Registration starts on July 25th.

The whole event is $25,000 added. There will be 9-ball team, scotch doubles, and singles. Also 10-ball singles and ring game that ANYONE can play in. You do not have to be a BCAPL member to play in the 10-ball events, (or one-pocket or banks either).

Just thought I would let everyone know. We will also have an explanation sheet on the ring game tournament rules. It is double elimination but it is a little different. And it will go pretty fast. We can finish a 100-300 man field in one day! Should be fun.

Any info can be gotten from BCA Pool League office at 702-719-7665.

Sorry for the "plug" but this is a new tournament format & since there was talk of a ring game tournament - I thought I would chime in.

Mark Griffin
BCA Pool League
 
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