TAP Nationals

[kaznj]

Just got back after a week in Vegas. I liked the format a lot. Each team was put into a group with three other teams. Every team played a round robin getting in three matches.

After the round robin the top 64 played in a single elimination tournament for cash prizes. The other teams played in another tournament for a smaller prize. This gave every team at least four matches for the week.

The tournaments ended around 7 each day. This gave us time to go out and enjoy some Vegas shows. There were mini tournaments in the evening for those who wanted to play some more.
I do not feel that there was sandbagging going on. I played 5's in each of my matches, the same level I play at. A couple of these players would be 6's in my league, but they were not so strong that I could say they were terribly incorrectly rated. Rating vary from league to league based on the skill of the players in that particular league. I have been told by players in my area that if if played in the league in the next county over I would be at best a four because the level of play in much stronger.
All in all we had a great time. The program was run well. The play was fun. Vegas is a fun place to visit.

 

[Poolhalljunkie]

$$$$$$

Did they pay this year? In 2004 They did not pay at the end of the event everyone got vouchers. And I had to threaten to sue to collect my $155 a year later. I enjoyed the format and had a great time, even though it left a bad taste in my mouth.

PHJ

 

[gman_tx]

As far as I know they paid out just fine. I did not place in the money but 4 people from my league did as well as the team from our area and I have heard of no problems with the bank of america checks that they issued to the winner.

This was my first event of this kind and I had a great time. I played in the 8ball singles and the dream team event and had a blast. I would agree that I did not see any sandbagging. I play as a four and all the people I played in my round robin seemed fairly equal. The team matches that I watched where some people mumbled about sandbagger after losing seemed to be poor sports. Most of the time it looked like the higher ranked played either lost the first game of just made a really bad shot and got some bad mojo in their own head. Seemed to me that some of the higher ranked (5's and 6's) where just playing bad or over ranked. The 7's played great and it was interesting to watch them and try to learn some of the thought processes that they go through.

Overall I think it was a great experience and can't wait to go to another one.