Tournament Hustler

B

Bob Romano

Bob' Wife
Silver Member
Here's a question for you all... I was at a huge BCA State tournament this past weekend. There were several divisions from B to Master. I was doing the mini tournaments and this guy comes up and wants in. I asked him what division he was in and he stated "B." Okay, off he goes and about an hour later Bob comes back and tells me that this guy is not in the tournament and he is a road player. This was a double state event and I did not know a lot of the players when I signed him up. I was there as a favor to a friend just to help out. When he came back to the tournament desk, I confronted him about this and he played dumb saying that he did not know what a "B" player was. I informed him not to insult my intelligence anymore, I knew what he was up to at this point...

Ok, here's the question which also goes back to my past questions regarding a national "big dawg" list... This guy knew what he was doing, no doubt. He was attending a very large event (600+ players) looking for action. He was clearly taking advantage of the lessor players who had NO chance what so ever in beating this guy. It was only when he was exposed, he elected to play someone more suitable for his caliber.

I would appreciate feed back from all any action that should or could be taken in this situation and or solutions to this problem.

There are so many players who love the game just to play and have a good time. When someone as this comes in and takes advantage of the situation it spoils it for many. Now, remember, this was a mini tournament of B class players..

Thanks!

Eydie
 
That is unfortunate that someone would try something like that.I think there should be some type of sanctions for this particular person.I think maybe not allowing him in any division of the tourney.This maybe would teach him a lesson.But im sure he would go somewhere else and try to pull off the same thing .By the way, are you at liberty to disclose the name of this particular player?
 
Hi Tony,

I know exactly who this person is now, as a matter a fact after he pulled this stunt I i.d him.

Although I a fuming about what he did, I will not mention his name as of now.

Eydie
 
If possible, I would have him removed from the mini-tournament and forfeit his entry fee for "unsportsmanlike conduct".
I would also have prohibited him from playing the main event, returning his entry fee.

Troy...~~~ Thinks it's past time for players to get some integrity.
 
Hey Bob,
I was there at Chula Vista. I think that I know who you are talking about. He was with all those guys that were road players. I would have asked what league he was BCA sanctioned with to play at the event? I am pretty sure he didn't qualify in MN or WI which is where he would have had to play. With that said, I would have explained to him that the mini tournaments were for sanctioned members only and kicked his *ss out of the tournament. Jeremy
 
He was not a member of the BCA and was not entered into the main event. Road players make a point to find the larger scale events to go for action. In most cases its accepted as a way to make a living. Players expect road players to attend big money tournaments. What made this as bad as it is, was because he knew it was a division sanctioned event and elected to prey on other players of lessor competition in order to make some quick cash.

Since this tournament involved 2 states, it us hard to know who is who and without carding each person.
 
Troy,

Your right! And he knew that the mini's were for the tournament players... He was trying to sneak in. He probably would have gone undetected, but Bob was running the mini's upstairs and watched him BBQ the other players.

Luckily he only got in one tournament before being detected.

Personally I would have run him off, but it was not my event.

I was sitting at the tournament desk for the duration of the event.

Eydie
 
Bob Romano said:
Here's a question for you all... I was at a huge BCA State tournament this past weekend. There were several divisions from B to Master. I was doing the mini tournaments and this guy comes up and wants in. I asked him what division he was in and he stated "B." Okay, off he goes and about an hour later Bob comes back and tells me that this guy is not in the tournament and he is a road player. This was a double state event and I did not know a lot of the players when I signed him up. I was there as a favor to a friend just to help out. When he came back to the tournament desk, I confronted him about this and he played dumb saying that he did not know what a "B" player was. I informed him not to insult my intelligence anymore, I knew what he was up to at this point...

Ok, here's the question which also goes back to my past questions regarding a national "big dawg" list... This guy knew what he was doing, no doubt. He was attending a very large event (600+ players) looking for action. He was clearly taking advantage of the lessor players who had NO chance what so ever in beating this guy. It was only when he was exposed, he elected to play someone more suitable for his caliber.

I would appreciate feed back from all any action that should or could be taken in this situation and or solutions to this problem.

There are so many players who love the game just to play and have a good time. When someone as this comes in and takes advantage of the situation it spoils it for many. Now, remember, this was a mini tournament of B class players..

Thanks!

Eydie
Click to expand...

Oh that one is simple, have no neck nelson grab him by the collar and drag him through the pool hall and throw him out the front door, that will catch everyones attention. :p
 
road player

Oops I'm so sorry , I didn't see your hand in the way when I slammed my car door, It would have served him right. Maybe someone should take a picture of these people and plaster their picture all over the net. Kill some of their action just like they killed the enjoyment of the people they took advantage of. B
 
Thats a good idea B-

Maybe from now on all TD's should make it personal pool community duty to carry a digital camara (if they own one) or a disposable when big tourneys come around to catalog player disputes or areas of fraud/sleaziness.
 
I posted on the other forum in response to this, so I will say something different here and kind of amplify/clarify what I said there.

I don't understand the league mentality. I don't understand the handicapped tournament mentality. Tournaments are a nice way to step up and compete for a cheap price. If it is expensive good players will step up and bad ones won't. But if I enter a little tournament that I can afford, I don't care who enters. If I entered a little $30 tourn, I would love it if Efren entered and I got to play him. If Tiger showed up to my club championship I would love it. I am not playing for the dinky prize, I am playing to compete and enjoy it. What fun is it to compete only with people who are equally as bad as you are?

Here's a couple examples. I started playing pool again about a year ago. I hadn't had a chance to play in maybe 12 years. I wasn't very good when I played a lot. But I got a house where I could have an 8' table and started hitting them again. So I drove 130 miles to play in a couple tourns. One was a dinky little bar box affair. Some decent players didn't bother to enter. I was better than some in the tournament, but didn't think I could beat 3-4 of the players. Well, I won. Felt great. Stupid little dinky tournament. Some players didn't enter, but nobody wass EXCLUDED. If somebody had been excluded, I would have no satisfaction in my stupid little win. Later on I entered a couple bigger tourns where there were a few good players and a bunch of decent ones. An excuse to spend a night in a hotel and get out of town etc... I had no shot. But I stepped up and played. In one tourn I got thrashed by the best player in it. I enjoyed seeing him get out on me and just pound me. And to win any games I had to get out. Well I managed to win a couple games and put together a run out I was happy with. I could take pride in that. And I won a few matches in the bigger tourns that told me I wasn't the worst one around. ;) The essence of my enjoyment was the competition. Testing myself against those players. I would not have enjoyed a tournament where only terrible players were allowed to enter.

I also played a bunch of golf this summer. First time in a long time. And I was dumb enough to play the handicapped twilight league. I hated that. All guys wanted to do was sandbag and worry about winning their match getting strokes. Screw that, I want to play good players or drink beer. The only times I played decent were when I was pushed to do so by guys who could at least play a little. So let's say I lose by shooting 37 to their 36. That is fun. OTOH, when I play a guy who says he is a 26 and fades it 265 down the middle, and we both play bad and he wins by the million shots he gets, well, it isn't fun. I don't care about the result that much. I'd rather just go play by myself on a nice evening. I also don't get that the club championship is handicapped. I want to play no strokes straight up for a trophy and a package of socks. But everybody wants flights and merchandise prizes and long drive contests for money and all that crap. I don't get it.

If you are an amateur, play for the competition. And have some heart. Step up and play. If some guy runs several racks on you, enjoy it, appreciate his skill. If you aren't an amateur you are a pro and need to step up anyway.

End O' Rant.:p
 
Eydie,
I've seen this problem over & over.

The problem is always the same. Handicap & League players (COMPLAINING) about who is a "A" "B" "C" Road player, Hustler, Semi Pro or Pro. NOBODY! is capable of monitoring all these players.

The only people that can be monitored is the current Pro's, such as the current top 16 or 32. If a player drops below a certain level in the Pro's, then who knows how well they are playing at the present time. This also pertains to even a "C" Player.

C players can play as good as a Road player in less than a year.
So whats stopping him from playing as a "C"?

Your comment about a Big Dawg list is also "IMPOSSIBLE" to maintain.
Even the Hustlers & Road players don't know everyone.

Remember when people are putting up money to win prize money & not a prize this makes them a Pro to some extent!

The problem with pool today is, the lower level player can play in tournaments that pay well. He only has to play once aweek and not hardly at all in the League Off Season to compete.
The good players play OFTEN and they have to PATRONIZE BUSINESSES in order to stay in stroke, but as soon as the lower level player comes in all they have to do is complain and they throw the better players out.
By the way, they know more than get one person barred out of the tournament and they start complaining about another one.


From what I have been reading over the last few months it's seems to me you are prejudiced against good players. Could it be that you are one of these lesser complaining players.

Bluebird
 
Bluebird,Bob and eydie hold major tourneys throughout the midwest.I think they are more concerned to make sure that everyone is where they belong as far as skill level.If it is a B level tourney , thats all that should be in it. With the right practice, a B can be much more if they take the time needed.By that same accord,once that B obtains that upper level they shouldnt go back and try to enter B level tourney to prey on anyone.So this road player should have be n where the competition was tougher.
 
Thank you Tony.. I appreciate your kind words!

BlueBird.. I do not play pool at all! My husband Bob does play pool and he is a semi master player. He was a road player for many years back 15 years ago before he married me and had kids.

I want my events to be fair play. I don't like liars and I will not put up with players who should be rightly considered pro's going to sanctioned state tournaments and stealing from the lessor player. Yes, It is stealing when you tell someone that you are a B player and you play in a B event, BBQ all the players and take their money. If the people know that they are playing a more experienced player that is one thing, but to bluntly enter a lower class tournament knowing that the others have no chance, then that my friend is a thief!

BTW, I have many many friends who are road players and several of my good friends are Pro players. I am here to promote the game. My event this weekend www.windycityopen.org is for road players and masters.

Eydie
 
Eydie,
I went to your web-site to check for my oversite of it being open to Road Players & Hustlers this week-end.

When I started to read it I just happened to notice that it is for AMETEURS only, but you say in your post that it is open to Road Players & Hustlers.

Here is your web-site flyer for this week-ends event.
Am I not getting it here?

Bluebird


BCA Pro Lists

BCA Rules



Welcome to the
2nd Annual
Windy City Open!
January 8 ~ 11, 2004




Over $40,000 in cash payouts this year!
It is not too late to get your registration in for the Windy City Open tournament.
Hotel packages are still available for $224 (including tax) for the weekend. This includes the hotel room and $120 in Rad Cash good for food and drink all weekend. There will also be a steak eating contest (no professionals). Spots are being filled very quickly as well as the hotel rooms.

If you get your money in now, you can still avoid the late fees. You have until January 3 to avoid the late fee.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, Chicagoland welcomes the players, and the game billiards. Phenomenal hotel rates that includes your food, discounted rates for additional days, FREE round trip airport transportation from Midway Airport, food and beverage specials, indoor swimming pool with work out room, and the best tables for tournament play, 7 foot Diamond Smart tables with red circle cue balls.

Amateurs only according to the BCA pro list!

On Thursday, January 8, 2004, kicks off the Windy City Open with a 9 Ball tournament beginning at 6 PM. Because of the phenomenal response from last years turnout we will only take 128 players, if this changes, we will post it on this website immediately. $35.00 entry fee for both men's and woman's divisions. This tournament sold out very early, so get you entry in today!

The 8 Ball tournament begins the following evening and will continue until Sunday late afternoon. $2,000.00 Guaranteed Added to the 8 Ball tournament regardless of player turnout. There will be both a men's and Woman's Division.

Our 4 Star host hotel will provide you with an unbelievable room rate of $224.00 including tax for Friday and Saturday nights. This fee includes $120.00 in RAD CASH which can be used for either food or bar. The hotel boasts an unbelievable "Zeppelin Steak" for $23.99. This sumptuous beast weighs a hefty 5 to 6 pounds and is free for guests that can consume the whole steak! An "All you can Eat" seafood buffet will be served on Friday and Saturday night for $19.99. "Rad Cash" is good for all food and beverage outlets throughout the hotel. Additional hotel nights in conjunction with this package are $49.00 plus tax.







Amateurs only according to the BCA pro list AMETEURS
 
Eydie,

When did the BCA create a SEMI-MASTER Division?

Or is this just a Division you have made up so that your players can play in a lesser Division than Masters?

Bluebird
 
Yes, you are VERY correct. Amateurs only. A road player is still an amateur until he is rated of pro status. This tournament is for all amateurs from B class BCA players to 2 class APA players to road players to anyone who is NOT on the BCA pro list.

This has problematic from tournament 1. This is why I would like to have a "big dawg" list. NOT just to omit the road player, BUT to put the big dawg in with the pro players.

If you ask people on this board they will tell you that there are players who are 5, 6, 7's that would love to enter this competition and do, but then we have another huge group of 2 through 4 that don't stand a chance with these guys. It's wasted money for them to even try to compete.

In addition, I have had complaints from pro players who want to play in my events and can't. I am working on a pro/big dawg tournament that you will hear about soon.

I am not trying to cause controversy here, my post was regarding a road player who went to a BCA tournament to hustle lessor players out of their cash. He misrepresented himself and fraudulently took money. It has nothing to do with my event.
 
Give it a break bluebird, now your picking. Excuse my terminology of semi master. It was just a way of saying he was on his way to be a master.

There are a lot of people who know me and understand this post. I dont think you really understand what happened.
 
Eydie,

I can appreciate what you are doing. You are working hard to pacify your players but you are doing it at the expense of good players that are outside of your area.

I can sympothize with you. Its a tough position you are in. the truth is though, that your Road players want protection from other Road Players. So you use the BCA List to take the heat off yourself and your greedy or cowardly Road Players.

By the way, how about starting a SEMI BIG DAWG LIST?
Bluebird
 
You sound like quite the experienced player/promoter. Do tell us all what you curriculum is and field of education.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top