The Future Of The Southwest Amateur Tournament in TX

ne14tennis

ne14tennis

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well pool players, I don't know what to say about it.

But I will open this up to all of you in a minute.

The tournament was cancelled due to lack of entries. Only about 15 Men Singles, 11 Women Singles and 10 Scotch Doubles had signed up as of noon Friday. The promoter got in touch with the table provider and with those numbers, Rick Jones said it wouldn't even cover his fuel bill to bring a truckload pf Diamond barboxes in from Vegas.

So here is what I am asking and I will not defend, stickup for and rant at any of your answers.
1. This is your chance to tell the promoter and the table provider just what do you want in the way of a tournament?

2. What are the reasons you didn't signup for this one?

Please be specific and don't hold back. Was it finances, location, format, the promoter, the type of tables, starting times just too many tourneys to pick from, didn't hear about it....we really need to know if we're going to attempt to put on a tournament of this size?

If we are to have a big tournament in the future we need at least 125-150 players in order to cover the costs of bringing a truckload of tables, so what will it take to get ya'll to signup

Thanks
 
Tough

ne14tennis said:
Well pool players, I don't know what to say about it.

But I will open this up to all of you in a minute.

The tournament was cancelled due to lack of entries. Only about 15 Men Singles, 11 Women Singles and 10 Scotch Doubles had signed up as of noon Friday. The promoter got in touch with the table provider and with those numbers, Rick Jones said it wouldn't even cover his fuel bill to bring a truckload pf Diamond barboxes in from Vegas.

So here is what I am asking and I will not defend, stickup for and rant at any of your answers.
1. This is your chance to tell the promoter and the table provider just what do you want in the way of a tournament?

2. What are the reasons you didn't signup for this one?

Please be specific and don't hold back. Was it finances, location, format, the promoter, the type of tables, starting times just too many tourneys to pick from, didn't hear about it....we really need to know if we're going to attempt to put on a tournament of this size?

If we are to have a big tournament in the future we need at least 125-150 players in order to cover the costs of bringing a truckload of tables, so what will it take to get ya'll to signup

Thanks
Click to expand...

1) Lots of long running events that same weekend.

2) We need to support the pool halls that we are doing business with regularly. JR Pockets,Legends,Clicks....etc.

3) The payout issues with the league in DFW couldn't have helped.

Ray Hansen
Cue & A Promotions
254-379-2569
 
With fuel cost going out of the roof, it is getting harder and harder to make events. I am from the Dallas area and would have loved to make that event.
If you add up all the expenses, meals, hotel, fuel, entry, tournaments out of you home town get pretty expensive.
For instance, this weekend there is a tournament at Legends and Jr Pockets,
for me, its a no brainer to play in the tournament at Jr Pockets, my entry is 60 plus 10 fuel, and maybe some auction. I know for sure the cost to play at Legends would be about 3-4 times more.
Maybe you can move it back to Big D, and find a less expensive location,
you always get great numbers here no matter what.
Later
 
That is something to look at

pooljunkie4ever said:
With fuel cost going out of the roof, it is getting harder and harder to make events. I am from the Dallas area and would have loved to make that event.
If you add up all the expenses, meals, hotel, fuel, entry, tournaments out of you home town get pretty expensive.
For instance, this weekend there is a tournament at Legends and Jr Pockets,
for me, its a no brainer to play in the tournament at Jr Pockets, my entry is 60 plus 10 fuel, and maybe some auction. I know for sure the cost to play at Legends would be about 3-4 times more.
Maybe you can move it back to Big D, and find a less expensive location,
you always get great numbers here no matter what.
Later
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Yes, I understand the costs involved. The only problem with that is what about the folks from S.A., Austin, Houston, etc., etc...

That was why Harker Heights seemed to be a good fit. It was a couple hour drive except for Austin for almost everyone.

Maybe one of the answers is keep moving it from location to location?
 
Bump Up For Some Comments

Really would like players opinions on what they want and what kept them from signing up for this?
 
Point

pooljunkie4ever said:
With fuel cost going out of the roof, it is getting harder and harder to make events. I am from the Dallas area and would have loved to make that event.
If you add up all the expenses, meals, hotel, fuel, entry, tournaments out of you home town get pretty expensive.
For instance, this weekend there is a tournament at Legends and Jr Pockets,
for me, its a no brainer to play in the tournament at Jr Pockets, my entry is 60 plus 10 fuel, and maybe some auction. I know for sure the cost to play at Legends would be about 3-4 times more.
Maybe you can move it back to Big D, and find a less expensive location,
you always get great numbers here no matter what.
Later
Click to expand...

Noel makes some good points. Its much more expensive to travel plus multi-day event. One day events are making a lot of sense these days!

Ray
 
Bigtruck said:
Noel makes some good points. Its much more expensive to travel plus multi-day event. One day events are making a lot of sense these days!

Ray
Click to expand...

One day events that are close make sense. If I have to drive more than three hours for a one day event, it doesn't look as appealing to me - that still means a room for at least one night.

As for the SWAT, I LOVE the tournament and have no complaints what so ever. I do have a suggestion - I think starting Saturday morning for the singles would be good. That way, if someone doesn't want to play scotch, they don't have to take off part of Friday to start playing singles at 4pm or 6pm.

Also, mini tournaments can go on Friday night and/or the scotch can finish up.

I don't think it being triple is a big issue, but in 9-ball with longer races it may?

I personally LOVE it in Killeen - center of the state AND the place has a low overhead fee for Tabor and Ric Jones.

Let's hear more thoughts so we can have these events!

-Melinda
 
Three of us tried to make a last minute entre using paypal and we were probably not the only ones to do so, but it was already cancelled on Friday evening. I too have to come from Fort Worth and that does get expensive, plus I have to miss work on Friday to make it which I hate to do because I either don't get paid or have to use vacation. Along with the cost of fuel, lodging, food, etc, and factor in the costs of the alcohol at the venue if you drink, plus the cost of additional quarters in a triple elimination race to 5 tournament. Don't get me wrong, I was really looking forward to a triple elimination tourney, but that may have been part of it? And:sorry: that adds up to quit a bit, but that's not why I missed this one, it was due to the fact of being cancelled at the last minute.
 
Thanks

I hope the comments continue. We can only give them ideas on what change or improve if we tell them.

I also asked several people involved with tournaments for ideas and got the following ideas.

1. The economy is dictating turnout everywhere, not just for this. Look at how many open slots there were at the Western Womens Open.

2. Players won't keep coming to a tournament with no added money.

Added money is something I don't really know a lot on. I do know that to get added money, you need players....lots of them. You need sponsership. This tournaments format lends itself to playing in convention centers, big halls, ballrooms, etc., etc.. This means your sponsership has to come from Vendors, which won't come back if you don't support them. Or other products like pool accessory manufacturers. Or alcohol or tobacco. I don't know the laws, but at one time the promoter was trying to work something with a beer company and I heard the TABC made it almost impossible
 
Maybe they should have waited

Ricky F said:
Three of us tried to make a last minute entre using paypal and we were probably not the only ones to do so, but it was already cancelled on Friday evening. I too have to come from Fort Worth and that does get expensive, plus I have to miss work on Friday to make it which I hate to do because I either don't get paid or have to use vacation. Along with the cost of fuel, lodging, food, etc, and factor in the costs of the alcohol at the venue if you drink, plus the cost of additional quarters in a triple elimination race to 5 tournament. Don't get me wrong, I was really looking forward to a triple elimination tourney, but that may have been part of it? And:sorry: that adds up to quit a bit, but that's not why I missed this one, it was due to the fact of being cancelled at the last minute.
Click to expand...

I spoke with the TD and the table provider on Friday after the decision was made. I asked why they didn't at least give it until Monday when anything postmarked Friday would have arrived. The answer I got was "Based on the numbers so far and our experience with tournaments, there was no way enough entries were going to come in to even break even." "In fact the numbers on Friday would not even pay for the fuel to get the tables there"
 
I do know a lot of players wait until the last minute to send their entries like myself and a lot of times it comes down to maybe car pooling, being able to get off work, having a place for your child to go, etc. You can't plan ahead for every single tournament, a lot of times it comes down to the last minute and the money in your pocket, lol, but you have to wonder how many might have shown up at the last minute?

Another possible problem - My air conditioner just went out in my truck and one thing I don't want is to get stuck in a backup on I-35 in the middle of summer with no a/c. Actually I-35 has been better than ever lately (for a change).

I love the effort Robert has been putting into this and you can't fault him! Robert does an outstanding job!!

Even though I really like the thought of having several of these, what if they had fewer of them each year? Another thing to remember is it's summer in Texas, things should pick up in the fall/winter.
 
My thoughts on SWAT.....

I have only played in this event once and I have to play in the Open b/c they don't have a seperate tournament for women master players. I actually don't mind this one bit, however, taking off work on Friday is a DEAL BREAKER for me! If you started the Singles on Saturday, I would MOST definitely be up there playing and loving every minute of it!!!!

Also, you have to keep in mind that the payouts are "not all that great" (YET), BUT this is still a relatively new tournament. There needs to be more of them in the future in order for the Tour to make some headway, or to progress rather. It really is difficult to justify a 3 day tournament when you may not come out ahead even if you win it.

I think that if you could try to shorten the amount of days this tournament lasts - you may see a rise in attendance. I also think that there needs to be more people helping run this tournament. It seems rather chaotic at times because there are SO MANY people to cater to and only two or three people that do the catering, so to speak. I wouldn't be opposed to helping out, just so you know. Also, ever thought of "shot-gun'ing" this tournament? I happen to like that!!! :thumbup:

Well, that's all my thoughts for now. I may think of something else later! :D
 
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I had heard someone mention this tourney at Fast Eddies on Saturday. That was the first I heard of it. I actually found this thread searching for info on when/where it was held. Sorry to hear it won't happen. I guess I just missed the original post. But, getting the word out better would help. It'd be nice to have another method of distributing info on tournaments. Aside from posts here and occasional flyers, a lot of players don't even know these tournaments exist. What I'd like to see is an information board at every pool hall. TDs could send their info to every pool hall in their region (or the state - or where ever). If the info was posted for everyday players to see, I bet the attendance would improve. I bet patonage at those halls would also improve as their local players came in to practice for an outta town tourney [selling point to get the info boards up and tourneys posted]. ...just an idea....
 
This tournament was also shown on the playbca website. I think it was out there fr the most part but I'd like to add this on a side note:

If you've even gone to Oklahoma to play and searched their websites for tournaments, they are very organized and pretty much up to date as far as their tournaments go, if you want to play in Oklahoma, you won't have much trouble finding a tournament north of the border. Don't get me wrong Im 100%Texan born and rasied, but I just wish we had better communication when it comes to pool tournaments like they do in Ok.

Ricky:thumbup:
 
Not easy to do

Sharky_TX said:
I had heard someone mention this tourney at Fast Eddies on Saturday. That was the first I heard of it. I actually found this thread searching for info on when/where it was held. Sorry to hear it won't happen. I guess I just missed the original post. But, getting the word out better would help. It'd be nice to have another method of distributing info on tournaments. Aside from posts here and occasional flyers, a lot of players don't even know these tournaments exist. What I'd like to see is an information board at every pool hall. TDs could send their info to every pool hall in their region (or the state - or where ever). If the info was posted for everyday players to see, I bet the attendance would improve. I bet patonage at those halls would also improve as their local players came in to practice for an outta town tourney [selling point to get the info boards up and tourneys posted]. ...just an idea....
Click to expand...

This was on the BCA website for months, and listed here as well.

I think the issue is getting the word out to the league players. Many of the players I talk to heard about these thru word-of-mouth. Their League Op never put it out. I think that's an issue , that if resolved could really boost attendance. All it would take is for league Ops to print one extra piece of paper and put it in the packets. Many of them wouldn't even do that.

I don't know if the bulletin board thing will work, it doesn't in my area. I have personally brought in flyers and was told that I couldn't put it up because it takes their players away that weekend, or they allow you to put it up and then it comes down after you leave. In this area it's a very "If there's nothing in it for me.....the answer is no"
 
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Some Changes

Manders said:
I have only played in this event once and I have to play in the Open b/c they don't have a seperate tournament for women master players. I actually don't mind this one bit, however, taking off work on Friday is a DEAL BREAKER for me! If you started the Singles on Saturday, I would MOST definitely be up there playing and loving every minute of it!!!!

Also, you have to keep in mind that the payouts are "not all that great" (YET), BUT this is still a relatively new tournament. There needs to be more of them in the future in order for the Tour to make some headway, or to progress rather. It really is difficult to justify a 3 day tournament when you may not come out ahead even if you win it.

I think that if you could try to shorten the amount of days this tournament lasts - you may see a rise in attendance. I also think that there needs to be more people helping run this tournament. It seems rather chaotic at times because there are SO MANY people to cater to and only two or three people that do the catering, so to speak. I wouldn't be opposed to helping out, just so you know. Also, ever thought of "shot-gun'ing" this tournament? I happen to like that!!! :thumbup:

Well, that's all my thoughts for now. I may think of something else later! :D
Click to expand...

I can say that the tournament for OCT 17-19th is still planned and one of the changes is going to be the starting time for singles. 9 AM Saturday morning.

What do you mean by "Shotgun" the tournament?
 
shot-gun tournaments

ne14tennis said:
I can say that the tournament for OCT 17-19th is still planned and one of the changes is going to be the starting time for singles. 9 AM Saturday morning.

What do you mean by "Shotgun" the tournament?
Click to expand...

Hey ya honey! A "shot-gun" tournament is basically this: whenever there is a match to be played, you play it - no waiting for a WHOLE round to finish, if there is an open table and an available match - play it! It really does make things go by faster. Yes, some people will have to wait for others eventually, but aren't they already??? :thumbup: I am sure that if I didn't explain this correctly - someone will interject!!! Please do!!!
 
Also

Manders said:
Hey ya honey! A "shot-gun" tournament is basically this: whenever there is a match to be played, you play it - no waiting for a WHOLE round to finish, if there is an open table and an available match - play it! It really does make things go by faster. Yes, some people will have to wait for others eventually, but aren't they already??? :thumbup: I am sure that if I didn't explain this correctly - someone will interject!!! Please do!!!
Click to expand...

I have always shotgunned my tournament. It still requires some managment though. I have gotten better at it over the last 2+ yrs. No scheduled matches. You move it forward ASAP trying to minimize waiting.

Ray
 
Bigtruck said:
I have always shotgunned my tournament. It still requires some managment though. I have gotten better at it over the last 2+ yrs. No scheduled matches. You move it forward ASAP trying to minimize waiting.

Ray
Click to expand...

What? There's no management involved in the shotgun approach - it's simply instinct. Like taking your first step as a baby... LOL! :thumbup: Just picking on you, Ray. :)

I just read in another post they wish there were more 8 ball barbox tournaments around Texas...
 
Bigtruck said:
I have always shotgunned my tournament. It still requires some managment though. I have gotten better at it over the last 2+ yrs. No scheduled matches. You move it forward ASAP trying to minimize waiting.

Ray
Click to expand...


So the players in the advanced brackets have no idea
what time they play? Not so sure I would like that scenario.
 
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