Running a tournament question!

saint1

saint1
Silver Member
Just wondering what other methods are availble for drawing numbers for the brackets for each player. I have always used or seen of course the pea bottle method. Of course all the pea bottle peas that I have seen only go up to 16. What does one do when there may be 20 - 30 some players? Would like to hear some ideas.

Thanks Mark
 
I always use poker chips because cards get bent and honestly, look kinda nasty after a few uses get bent ripped etc. Using poker chips you can number as high as you want and just write the numbers with permanent ink. They dont bend, dont smudge and are easy and cheap to replace. The players seem to like the idea.
Just my opinion
 
saint1 said:
Just wondering what other methods are availble for drawing numbers for the brackets for each player. I have always used or seen of course the pea bottle method. Of course all the pea bottle peas that I have seen only go up to 16. What does one do when there may be 20 - 30 some players? Would like to hear some ideas.

Thanks Mark

I used a set of bingo that come with the little cage. Good for 64 players. I also use a manual tournament sheet. Just my preference.....
 
Chips

You can buy these little round key-chain type ID tags, they're about the size of a 50 cent pc. and write the numbers on them. They are white and have a little silver aluminum ring around them. Wal-Mart has them for about $3 for 50 pcs.
This is what we use at the U.S.Open.
 
I've used multicolored poker chips for our Tour the last six years.

1-32 white chips
33-64 white and blue chips
65-96 blue chips
97-128 red chips

The different colors just help dividing them up in sequence when you first lay them out to pull the byes.

Then, I put the remaining chips in my old trusty Crown Royal bag and draw them blind.

Some TD's use a tournament program from Ingenlabs which generates a random draw but, in my experience, players actually like to see a physical draw.

Stones
 
Stones said:
I've used multicolored poker chips for our Tour the last six years.

1-32 white chips
33-64 white and blue chips
65-96 blue chips
97-128 red chips

The different colors just help dividing them up in sequence when you first lay them out to pull the byes.

Then, I put the remaining chips in my old trusty Crown Royal bag and draw them blind.

Some TD's use a tournament program from Ingenlabs which generates a random draw but, in my experience, players actually like to see a physical draw.

Stones

Lessons from a man who is color blind. Can't tell balck from white.
 
saint1 said:
Just wondering what other methods are availble for drawing numbers for the brackets for each player. I have always used or seen of course the pea bottle method. Of course all the pea bottle peas that I have seen only go up to 16. What does one do when there may be 20 - 30 some players? Would like to hear some ideas.

Thanks Mark

the peas (pills) come in different colors. I've got them in red, black, red/white, and black/white. 4 X 16 = 64 peas (pills). however you use them is up to your imagination. :wink:

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My worthless opinion

saint1 said:
Just wondering what other methods are availble for drawing numbers for the brackets for each player. I have always used or seen of course the pea bottle method. Of course all the pea bottle peas that I have seen only go up to 16. What does one do when there may be 20 - 30 some players? Would like to hear some ideas.

Thanks Mark


If you are running a double elim or modified single, then I would put the stronger half in the top and the weaker half in the bottom.
Since you have 32 or less (total), you can use the 16 pea method to randomize the match ups.

For example,
32 players (16 A/B players and 16 C/D players).
Top 16 spots are randomly selected A/B players.
Bottom 16 spots are randomly selected C/D players.

This way, at the beginning to middle of the tournament, everyone should be matched up closely in skill level. Towards the end of the tournament, you may have an A vs D player, but at least the handicap will be a little better judged....because as the tourney kicks off, you will be able to spot any players that are playing at a higher skill level than they are rated....and adjust accordingly.

I have had cases in which I was bumped up during tournaments, and it was based solely on too many people pissing and moaning. Sure it irks me that I get bumped up, but I try to perceive it as a challenge to elevate my game even more.

Having the SLs grouped together helps keep players from pissing and moaning about having to play MR ACE or MRS ACETTE for their first match.

You may still get pissing and moaning about an A vs D match up during the finals, but reminding them that they're in the money....may calm them down.

Regards,
Mathew
 
ironman said:
Lessons from a man who is color blind. Can't tell balck from white.

I'm red green colorblind. The white ones are white and the blue ones are blue.

The red ones are red, well, sorta. Kinda red looking, maybe.

Screw it! Alright, they're gray, okay! But, they have big numbers on them. LOL

Stones
(I'm not going to toss stones here. But, hey, at least I can read my own handwriting.)
 
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