Questions On Tournaments & Pros

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CvilleBilliards

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:D Hello Sarah,

Hope things are still going well for you. I would like to ask you a couple questions on Contacting Pros (Male & Female).

1) Is there a Players Union for Pro Players?
2) What is the Best Way To Contact Pros For Tournaments?
3) What are some of the Typical Fees to Sign a Pro to a Tournament?
4) Why are there so MANY Tours?
5) Where are the BEST places to Advertise the Tournaments?
6) What is a Good Ratio of Tables per Player for the Tournament?
7) What Days of the Week are Best For Tournaments?
8) What Months & Dates would I want to avoid to ensure a Good Turn Out?
9) Do you know the basic setup structure for having the Event Televised by ESPN & Other Networks?
10) What are the Perks of the Tournament that you look for in a Tournament?
11) What is your favorite Tournament?
12) Do you know who to Contact to Purchase Billiard Tables from Large Tournaments?
13) How many Months does the Marketing Campaign run for Advertising the Tournament on Average?

Tournamnet Overviews
Players: 64-128
Locations: Harrisonburg, Charlottesville & Richmond (VA)
Entry Fees: $125 - $250
Payout Purse: 85% + Added $$$$ From Sponsorships
Raffles: $1,000+ Cue Free Ticket With Entry / $1,000+ $5 Per Ticket

I would like to talk to you about the Tournaments and other Promotions.

Thanks For Your Time,
Fan Of The Game
 
Very good questions Cville. I will do my best to answer.

1) Is there a Players Union for Pro Players?
There is no "players union" but I know the women have a contract signed with the WPBA and I'm sure the men that play in the UPA have a contract signed as well.
2)What is the Best Way To Contact Pros For Tournaments?
The best way to contact the pros could be through calling the WPBA and UPA and having them notify players. I don't think they will give out email addresses and phone numbers. Many of the players have their own personal websites and a way to contact them. Other than that, good advertisement is key.
3)What are some of the Typical Fees to Sign a Pro to a Tournament?
I am not sure of the fees for signing/having a pro tournament. Contact the WPBA they will be able to tell you.
4) Why are there so MANY Tours?
There are so many tours because there are so many people in so many different areas that want to play. There is pretty much a tour in every area of the United States. This allows players of every level to play. Not many C-D level players will travel a long way to play in a tournament but they will play if it is close to home.
5)Where are the BEST places to Advertise the Tournaments?
Building a website dedicated to your tournament, message boards, email to people that might have interest in playing, building a relationship with every pool magazine and buying adds and/or having them do a preliminary story.
6) What is a Good Ratio of Tables per Player for the Tournament?
Table to player ratio, with 64 players the WPBA uses 8. I personally don't think that is enough. I would say at least 12-16 tables. The only problem is the size of the venue. Venue and how many spectators you want are things to think about. Along with matches scheduled at specific times.
7)What Days of the Week are Best For Tournaments?
If it is a big tournament, thursday-sunday. If it is a smaller tournament saturday and sunday. Something towards the end of the week and through the weekend are best for people who work and want to play.
8) What Months & Dates would I want to avoid to ensure a Good Turn Out?
Anything too close to another major tournament is bad. Too close to Valley Forge, Vegas, and Derby City. I think winter months are better, possibly early spring.
9) Do you know the basic setup structure for having the Event Televised by ESPN & Other Networks?
I personally do not have any info about the ESPN setup or structure. That could be another question to ask the WPBA. There have been other networks picking pool up as well. Maybe you could check into those as well.
10) What are the Perks of the Tournament that you look for in a Tournament?
Perks...I would say if it is at a hotel be sure to get the players a special room rate. If it is at a pool room a courtious staff works wonders.
11) What is your favorite Tournament?
My favorite WPBA tournament is the tournament in Peoria, IL. Maybe because I am somewhat of a hometown hero :) Tournament/action/flashback to old times I would say Derby City.
12) Do you know who to Contact to Purchase Billiard Tables from Large Tournaments?
You would contact Diamond, Brunswick, Olhausen, the list goes on. You contact the company. Some of them may rent/lease the tables to you for the tournament. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but I have heard of something like that being done.
13) How many Months does the Marketing Campaign run for Advertising the Tournament on Average?
I would say marketing up to a year in advance...through your own website. Then go to magazines and whatever else 6 months or so in advance. You want people to know about it.

Well, I hope this helps. I'm sure some others may be able to give some advice as well. Let me know if there is anything else.

Sarah
 
sarahrousey said:
Very good questions Cville. I will do my best to answer.

Well, I hope this helps. I'm sure some others may be able to give some advice as well. Let me know if there is anything else.

Sarah
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help on the questions. :D

We are currently working on a Website for the League & Tournaments.

I agree 8 Tables is not enough for 64 players. :rolleyes:

Olhausen & Brunswick are the only tables that we will be using. :D (Championship Pro & Gold Crowns). It would be nice if we could rent them for the events & have an option to buy. The tables could be sold with a List & Pictures of Players that played on it.

Who is the Marketing Director or Promotions Director for the WPBA?

What are the Top 3 Billiard Magazines?

Thanks Again,
Fan Of The Game
 
I almost forgot to ask.....lol....one more question?

Is there a Charity that is used with most Tours & Tournaments?
 
I believe Peg Ledman does all of the marketing. She may be the one to talk to. You will get info on how to contact her through the WPBA office or WPBA website.

The top billiard magazines are Billiards Digest, Pool and Billiard, and Inside Pool. There are also alot of smaller newspaper style pubications such as the Billiard News and Professor Q ball.

Sarah
 
The charity that is used is left up to the Casino/room owner. We have had various different charities over the past year.
 
CvilleBilliards,

It's none of my business but I'm going to say something Sarah may be too polite to say.

If you have to ask these questions you should reconsider trying to stage a major tournament. Why don't you run a couple of smaller events for amateurs at a local hall to get your feet wet.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I'm just trying to save you from a lot of grief.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Wally in Cincy
 
Wally, you may be right. But it is good that Cville is asking these questions before a tournament even begins rather than having a tournament with all of the problems and then asking the questions.

Whether large or small, good luck with your tournament endeavor.

Sarah
 
Wally in Cincy said:
CvilleBilliards,

It's none of my business but I'm going to say something Sarah may be too polite to say.

If you have to ask these questions you should reconsider trying to stage a major tournament. Why don't you run a couple of smaller events for amateurs at a local hall to get your feet wet.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I'm just trying to save you from a lot of grief.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Wally in Cincy
Click to expand...

Hello Wally,

You are right my friend. We are currently running smaller tournaments. We have come up with a gameplan of 5 stages. The first stage is where we are at right now. The Tournament have small entry & payouts. Nothing a pro would even think about playing in. But the Idea is to find the problems and fix them before we advance to stage two. :cool:

It is a long road that we must travel. But in the near the end stage four will be a Convention Center Expo & Tournament......STAGE 5 will be Custom Built Locations with 24+ Tables, Sports Bar, Night Club and Other Gaming Ideas. I just think that if Sarah and Other Pros will give some insight to the Tournaments. It will help us out!!! I just love the Game and have been in Sports Marketing in larger Sports. I know I could make a Great Tournament with LARGE PAYOUTS. We do not wish to make most of our Profits from The LEAGUES or TOURNAMENTS. We want the F & B and......SPONSORSHIPS...The sponsorships will take us to a new level if we can get everyone on the same page...... ;)

Stage 1: Create Name & Look For Problems. :confused:
Stage 2: Advance To New Locations For Same Tournaments. :p
Stage 3: Create New Tournaments & Charity Events With Pros & Regular ;) Players.
Stage 4: EXPO & TOURNAMENT....Hello We Have Arrived. :D
Stage 5: Franchise Baby Franchise.....Bar, Nightclub, Billiards Room, CBA Leagues & CBA Tournaments ALL IN ONE PACKAGE. :p

Thanks,
Fan OF The Game :D
 
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Cville,

Your plan does indeed sound like a good one. I really hope all of your hard work gets rewarded.

If you have other questions feel free to ask.
Sarah
 
sarahrousey said:
Cville,

Your plan does indeed sound like a good one. I really hope all of your hard work gets rewarded.

If you have other questions feel free to ask.
Sarah
Click to expand...

Thanks Once Again Sarah :D

League Stats: If It Happens, It is Tracked...lol ($2,000 min. 1st place)
All-Star Game: $500 prize pot & Free Cue on Raffle
Awards: MVP, Rookie Of The Year, Most Improved & Stat Leaders
Tournaments: Right Now The Payouts max around $400 First Place.
Raffles: Each League Season Free $500 Cue Ticket Each Member.

When I started APA was the ONLY game in town. Now the APA is on its way out. The League sets up the player pools right now for the most part. When the WEBSITE is finished and the League is in a couple more cities then the Tournament prize fund will GO UP!!!

Right now I am working with a Software company to design a Program for the League. So that the stats can be updated to the site and speed up the paperwork end. When that is done the League will make GREAT STRIDES. The League and Tournament payouts NEVER goes below 85% paid back from entry fees. This is helps the League & Tournaments grow. The sponsor is the $$$ bag. NOT THE PLAYERS!!! :D
 
Well Cville, you are going up against some tough competitors in the APA and BCA leagues. I think you will be alright since you are promising the 85% payback. Money talks. Is it a handicap league? If you don't mind me asking, in what area have you started this?

Sarah
 
sarahrousey said:
Well Cville, you are going up against some tough competitors in the APA and BCA leagues. I think you will be alright since you are promising the 85% payback. Money talks. Is it a handicap league? If you don't mind me asking, in what area have you started this?

Sarah
Click to expand...

Top Comp vs CBA
1)UPA ~ Already have the pros :mad:
2)BCA ~ Branches out to all league operators :(
2)APA ~ LEAGUES.....LEAGUES.... :(

Yes it is a Handicaped league. I created the system. Charlottesville, VA.

Right now the league is only in Charlottesville. But we are currently ready to add Harrisonburg & Richmond.

Richmond will be FUN. The APA is BIG in Richmond and plays at the Playing Field. It has 20 full size 9's. The owner of the Playing Field has small ownership in the APA franchise. So it will make things a lot harder than it should be. The APA is a good LEAGUE. I have no hardships vs them. But Money is Money. My leagues will have a local payout of about $10,000 for 1st in Richmond with 24 Teams. That will get the PLAYERS attention.

APA, UPA & BCA all are established. That will make it HARD to overcome. But again I say MONEY is MONEY. Players want to win MONEY.

APA National 2001-2002 Profits: 14.2 Million :mad:

Thanks,
Fan Of The Game
 
CBA League Stats Tracked For 8-Ball:
* Innings
* Number Of Balls Left On Table
* Defensive Shots
* Fouls
* 8-Break & Runs
* 8-On The Breaks
* Early 8's
* Scratch 8's
* W & L vs. Other Rankings
* Overall Match Play Record
* Overall Games Played Record
* MVP Race Points
* Rookie Of The Year Award Race Points
* Most Improved Player Race Points
* All-Star Player Race Each Team (Top 2)
* Leaders To Last Place In All Stats (Midway & End Of Regular Season Postings)

The Nine Ball Tracks About 5 or 6 more Stats.

The leagues are where it all started. Then I saw that the Billiards Market is wide open. Then I said hey lets Franchise a Sports Bar, Nightclub, Billiard Room, Leagues & Tournaments all in 1 package. I have good backers right now and the League & Tournaments are small. But as they grow so will my backers $$$....Hence the new locations. :)

But again it is a LONG ROAD TO TRAVEL. I have NO ideas of it being EASY. But I do konw that it is more than possible to surpass the APA in leagues & UPA in tournaments. The thing is at what point does one purchase the UPA????

Thanks,
Fan Of The Game.....On A MISSION!!! lol
 
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