Tournament Opinions Please

GG11

GG11

Kill the Bunny
Silver Member
Hi everyone-

In an effort to improve a certain tour I help out with, I'm trying to get some feedback from the people who are most important to helping a tour thrive - YOU!

My question -

What do you like about the regional tours that you participant in .....
And what do you dislike ....

What's the single most important feature about a tour to you ....
What do you wish more tours offered ....

thanks everyone!
:o

GG
 
I mainly play on the Viking Tour and sometimes on the SE Open Tour. The thing I like about the Viking Tour, (besides Mike Janis and Terry do an outstanding job) is that there is a Season Finale event at the end of every season. It is usually alot of money added and you get to see some great players. I wish they could come up with a points standing (I'm sure that would be a major headache, sorry MJ) and maybe a prize for the top points leaders. Especially for the Amateur Tour. JMO.

Southpaw
 
I think that one thing to consider is that only about 3% - 5% of the participants have a realistic shot of actually winning the tournament. The rest, like myself, are middle-of-the-pack players. I think that these are the players that you need to try to satisfy as much as possible since they make up the majority of the participation. The very best players, and the lower level players are gonna play regardless of the way the tournament is run. As a middle of the pack player, this is what means most to me:

--Don't make the payouts too top heavy. Pay a little deeper into the field. In most tournaments, I know that I probably can't win, but if I play good, I can get into the money, and at least get a little something to show for my efforts.

--Keep the entry fees reasonable. With gas and hotels eating into out budgets at record paces already, don't try to squeeze me for additional monies for the top 2 or 3 players there. Have a player auction if necessary to make it worth the time of the top players. And I know it may be necessary, but I don't like to have to pay $30 for a tour card when I might only get to play in 1 of the tour's events. I realize that the TDs need to make that money, but please try to make most of it from the room owner and not me.

--If it's a 2 day tournament, only bring back the people who are in the money. It's frustrating to have to spend the night in a hotel and have the other expenses of staying the night out of town only to come back Sunday and not make any money.

These are most important to me.

Mike
 
I agree. One thing I like about the Tri-State Tour is the player of the year standings for each class. I may not be able to win an open tournament, but its nice to see how I do against other players at my speed. Its also motivation to go to all of the stops.
 
Another one is... when the dicks are being dicks, the TD needs to be strong enough to oust 'em from the tournament... and not just tolerate their antics.
 
Mike Templeton said:
I think that one thing to consider is that only about 3% - 5% of the participants have a realistic shot of actually winning the tournament. The rest, like myself, are middle-of-the-pack players. I think that these are the players that you need to try to satisfy as much as possible since they make up the majority of the participation. The very best players, and the lower level players are gonna play regardless of the way the tournament is run. As a middle of the pack player, this is what means most to me:

--Don't make the payouts too top heavy. Pay a little deeper into the field. In most tournaments, I know that I probably can't win, but if I play good, I can get into the money, and at least get a little something to show for my efforts.

--Keep the entry fees reasonable. With gas and hotels eating into out budgets at record paces already, don't try to squeeze me for additional monies for the top 2 or 3 players there. Have a player auction if necessary to make it worth the time of the top players. And I know it may be necessary, but I don't like to have to pay $30 for a tour card when I might only get to play in 1 of the tour's events. I realize that the TDs need to make that money, but please try to make most of it from the room owner and not me.

--If it's a 2 day tournament, only bring back the people who are in the money. It's frustrating to have to spend the night in a hotel and have the other expenses of staying the night out of town only to come back Sunday and not make any money.

These are most important to me.

Mike
Click to expand...
Mike, I play in the Fast Eddies tournaments in Texas and I agree with almost everything you say. The guys that run the tournament are great, but I think they would ultimately get a bigger turn out if they paid a consistent 25% or more of the field and played til only players in the money came back on Sunday. There are usally about 8 or 10 players who are going to consistently finish in the money. This doesn't leave much for the vast majority of average or a little better players.
 
For entirely selfish reasons...I think you should consider a senior's division.

Age 60 and up and a HIGHER not lower entry fee, with payouts for 1st and 2nd places only.

If $75.00 is the normal entry fee then the seniors should pay $100. Why? Because there would be relatively few of them and therefore, a VASTLY higher probability of finishing in the money.

Regards,
Jim
 
Likes:

- Reasonable entry fees (50 - 100).
- Side pots or calcuttas.
- Paying 25% of field.

Dislikes:

- Waiting 6 or 7 hours in between matches.
- Playing until 4 in the morning on the first day.

Ray
 
Mike Templeton said:
I think that one thing to consider is that only about 3% - 5% of the participants have a realistic shot of actually winning the tournament. The rest, like myself, are middle-of-the-pack players. I think that these are the players that you need to try to satisfy as much as possible since they make up the majority of the participation. The very best players, and the lower level players are gonna play regardless of the way the tournament is run. As a middle of the pack player, this is what means most to me:

--Don't make the payouts too top heavy. Pay a little deeper into the field. In most tournaments, I know that I probably can't win, but if I play good, I can get into the money, and at least get a little something to show for my efforts.

--Keep the entry fees reasonable. With gas and hotels eating into out budgets at record paces already, don't try to squeeze me for additional monies for the top 2 or 3 players there. Have a player auction if necessary to make it worth the time of the top players. And I know it may be necessary, but I don't like to have to pay $30 for a tour card when I might only get to play in 1 of the tour's events. I realize that the TDs need to make that money, but please try to make most of it from the room owner and not me.

--If it's a 2 day tournament, only bring back the people who are in the money. It's frustrating to have to spend the night in a hotel and have the other expenses of staying the night out of town only to come back Sunday and not make any money.

These are most important to me.

Mike
Click to expand...

This is a great post. I have quit going to open tours in my area because I can play my best and win $150. With gas and hotel I can't motivate myself to leave town. Most of the regional northeast tours pay approx 80% to the top 4 players and they get the calcutta money as well. Spreading the money will be incentive for players to come out, as Mike said from the middle of the road players. This will benefit EVERYONE in the long run.

I like the fact that the entries are becoming scalled for different level of players. This makes it very easy to play the best for a small donation.
 
Tony Robles's Predator 9-ball Tour has a graduated entry fee scale, and I think it's a great idea. Pros pay $100, A players pay $80, Bs $60, etc. It also has a special entry fee for juniors ($40) which I think is great. For young talent, it's daunting for parents to put up $100 so their kid can get tournament tough. $40 meanwhile, isn't much more than you'd spend on your kid for a weekend doing anything else.

Also, to echo previous posters I like that the Predator tour has class standings. Although the tournaments are open and there is no spot, players in various classes (Pro, A, B, C, D) receive points every tournament and the highest finisher at the end of the season receives a brand new Predator cue. This is great incentive to play in more than one tournament for players who probably won't make it into the money. If the tour you're helping out with has sponsors, you may want to run this idea by them.
 
StevenPWaldon said:
Tony Robles's Predator 9-ball Tour has a graduated entry fee scale, and I think it's a great idea. Pros pay $100, A players pay $80, Bs $60, etc. It also has a special entry fee for juniors ($40) which I think is great. For young talent, it's daunting for parents to put up $100 so their kid can get tournament tough. $40 meanwhile, isn't much more than you'd spend on your kid for a weekend doing anything else.

Also, to echo previous posters I like that the Predator tour has class standings. Although the tournaments are open and there is no spot, players in various classes (Pro, A, B, C, D) receive points every tournament and the highest finisher at the end of the season receives a brand new Predator cue. This is great incentive to play in more than one tournament for players who probably won't make it into the money. If the tour you're helping out with has sponsors, you may want to run this idea by them.
Click to expand...

They have also included highest finishing/player of the year female prizes. Thank you Steven .. this is very kind input! It will definitely be helpful!
 
Mike Templeton said:
(sniped)As a middle of the pack player, this is what means most to me:

--Don't make the payouts too top heavy. Pay a little deeper into the field. In most tournaments, I know that I probably can't win, but if I play good, I can get into the money, and at least get a little something to show for my efforts.


--If it's a 2 day tournament, only bring back the people who are in the money. It's frustrating to have to spend the night in a hotel and have the other expenses of staying the night out of town only to come back Sunday and not make any money.

These are most important to me.

Mike
Click to expand...


GG11 forgive me, this is not meant to Hijack your thread.

Mike T, you will be happy to know that the Viking Tour had heard concerns like yours in the past and we are always trying to better the tour for everyone. Last year we whent to $1,500 added events and Guaranteed $1,000 to 1st place in our open division. As of yesterday: ( from: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=93593 ) we raised the entry fees in both divisions by $5. 100% of this increase will go into the prize fund for the players. Our $1,500 Open events still Guarantee $1,000 to 1st place so we will use the additional funds to increase the payouts to 5-8th place to make it more feasible for players to travel to our events.
Also as you know, we always try to only bring back the players in the money on the 2nd day and most of our Amateur events are only 1 day events.

Based on only 39 paid entries in the Open Division and paying 8 places the new open tournament payouts will be approximately:

$1000
$600
$455
$350
$250
$250
$175
$175

The Amateur payouts based on only 39 paid players and $500 added will be approximately:

$500
$400
$300
$200
$150
$150
$ 80
$ 80

Amateur/Open Events with only 39 players and $1,000 added will be approximately:

$650
$450
$350
$250
$200
$200
$130
$130


Mj
 
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Well

the only tour we have is the Midwest 9 ball tour, and Evelyn and Danny Dysert run a great tour. Well planned, well run, and no BS!!!

And Mike's Texas TD has not booked any events this far north like he said he would as of yet.
 
Snapshot9 said:
the only tour we have is the Midwest 9 ball tour, and Evelyn and Danny Dysert run a great tour. Well planned, well run, and no BS!!!

And Mike's Texas TD has not booked any events this far north like he said he would as of yet.
Click to expand...

We have OK coming in May.

Mj
 
MikeJanis said:
GG11 forgive me, this is not meant to Hijack your thread.

Mike T, you will be happy to know that the Viking Tour had heard concerns like yours in the past and we are always trying to better the tour for everyone. Last year we whent to $1,500 added events and Guaranteed $1,000 to 1st place in our open division. As of yesterday: ( from: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=93593 ) we raised the entry fees in both divisions by $5. 100% of this increase will go into the prize fund for the players. Our $1,500 Open events still Guarantee $1,000 to 1st place so we will use the additional funds to increase the payouts to 5-8th place to make it more feasible for players to travel to our events.
Also as you know, we always try to only bring back the players in the money on the 2nd day and most of our Amateur events are only 1 day events.

Based on only 39 paid entries in the Open Division and paying 8 places the new open tournament payouts will be approximately:

$1000
$600
$455
$350
$250
$250
$175
$175

The Amateur payouts based on only 39 paid players and $500 added will be approximately:

$500
$400
$300
$200
$150
$150
$ 80
$ 80

Amateur/Open Events with only 39 players and $1,000 added will be approximately:

$650
$450
$350
$250
$200
$200
$130
$130


Mj
Click to expand...
Thanks Mj,

I think you run a great tournament, and it's nice that alot are local enough that I don't have to drive over a couple of hours to get to the rooms where the tournaments are taking place. A little more meat in the middle is a good thing for players like me that love to compete against the big boys and try to make a couple of bucks at the same time.

Mike
 
Mike Templeton said:
Thanks Mj,

I think you run a great tournament, and it's nice that alot are local enough that I don't have to drive over a couple of hours to get to the rooms where the tournaments are taking place. A little more meat in the middle is a good thing for players like me that love to compete against the big boys and try to make a couple of bucks at the same time.

Mike
Click to expand...

Thank Mike T.

PS.. Dont be surprised if you se the bleow change soon:

Based on only 39 paid entries in the Open Division and paying 8 places the new open tournament payouts will be approximately:

$1000
$600
$455
$350
$250
$250
$175
$175


It may soon change to:
(Also, if we do this we will make all the Open events Non-Pro open, as pro being top 32 from any year ever on UPA, IPT, PBT, WPA etc..)

$755
$600
$500
$400
$300
$300
$200
$200
 
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