You have got to be kidding.
Which Vegas trip is the best
- Thread starter poolhustla61508
- Start date
You have got to be kidding.
I can only assume that the member preferring APA has never been to the others.
VNEA is fun; but BCA is hands down the best IMO. I'm currently trying to find a dual sanction league so I can go to the VNEA also next year; but everyone on the team chooses the BCA Vegas tournament as the favorite (hey, nothing wrong with 2 trips to Vegas).
Sorry to be redundant, but its surprising that anyone even needs to ask the question. That BCA Vegas is best is much closer to fact than to opinion.
VNEA is fun; but BCA is hands down the best IMO. I'm currently trying to find a dual sanction league so I can go to the VNEA also next year; but everyone on the team chooses the BCA Vegas tournament as the favorite (hey, nothing wrong with 2 trips to Vegas).
Sorry to be redundant, but its surprising that anyone even needs to ask the question. That BCA Vegas is best is much closer to fact than to opinion.
I have been to both the vnea and bca,and by far the bca is better.Theres sooo much more going on.
It suckS thAt I won a trip this year but cant go.I am going to Egypt for 3 weeks in october and vegas for wedding in december.
It sucks WORKING FOR THE MAN and only get so much time off for holidays.
OH WELL,NEXT YEAR.
It suckS thAt I won a trip this year but cant go.I am going to Egypt for 3 weeks in october and vegas for wedding in december.
It sucks WORKING FOR THE MAN and only get so much time off for holidays.
OH WELL,NEXT YEAR.
You've done a great job
In my opinion, if you are lucky enough to go for any of the tournies, it's a great trip. APA has it's drawbacks. Like having to qualify and win a spot. Each league system pays a different amount back as far as the trip expenses go. They do pay pretty well if you place high in Vegas, but you don't get much back, if you don't win the trip for your league money.
BCA is a fabulous tourney, and pays back more for winning your event, than VNEA does. They have a little larger fields for the open players. They have the Pro events going on. The staff does a great job running the events. Plus, you gotta love playing the Diamond tables.
VNEA has a few things going for it too though. They have the BIG party for the opening ceremonies in the back parking lot. FREE chips and DRAFT beer, woo hoo.... Plus live entertainment. They do the singles and Scotch doubles awards. So, if you place in the top 4 in an event, you get to walk on stage to get your trophy in front of all the players. They also have a Hall of Fame ceremony. They have players come from 10 or 12 foreign countries for you to compete against. Big banquet at the end, for closing ceremonies, and team event awards. They also have a great staff, and do a great job running the events. The one really big plus last year, was the VNEA going to the greens fee. I thought it was a bit outrageous at first, but it was a great idea. NO COINS to deal with. No waiting for an opponent to go get more coins, because he showed up with 2 coins, to play a race to 5.
Like I said, if you're lucky enough to go to Vegas to play pool in ANY of these events, it's worth the trip.
""""This has been a public service announcement, for the promotion of billiards and amateur tournies."""""
In my opinion, if you are lucky enough to go for any of the tournies, it's a great trip. APA has it's drawbacks. Like having to qualify and win a spot. Each league system pays a different amount back as far as the trip expenses go. They do pay pretty well if you place high in Vegas, but you don't get much back, if you don't win the trip for your league money.
BCA is a fabulous tourney, and pays back more for winning your event, than VNEA does. They have a little larger fields for the open players. They have the Pro events going on. The staff does a great job running the events. Plus, you gotta love playing the Diamond tables.
VNEA has a few things going for it too though. They have the BIG party for the opening ceremonies in the back parking lot. FREE chips and DRAFT beer, woo hoo.... Plus live entertainment. They do the singles and Scotch doubles awards. So, if you place in the top 4 in an event, you get to walk on stage to get your trophy in front of all the players. They also have a Hall of Fame ceremony. They have players come from 10 or 12 foreign countries for you to compete against. Big banquet at the end, for closing ceremonies, and team event awards. They also have a great staff, and do a great job running the events. The one really big plus last year, was the VNEA going to the greens fee. I thought it was a bit outrageous at first, but it was a great idea. NO COINS to deal with. No waiting for an opponent to go get more coins, because he showed up with 2 coins, to play a race to 5.
Like I said, if you're lucky enough to go to Vegas to play pool in ANY of these events, it's worth the trip.
""""This has been a public service announcement, for the promotion of billiards and amateur tournies."""""
singles trip
The 400 does more than pay for your ticket from NC and your room was already paid for by the APA so you didn't pay for that either. When you say other stuff, do you mean like gambling and food. No, they are not going to subsidize the extra stuff but are the only ones that give you a free ride. You did earn it, as you should have, and you had the chance to win more money in your tier.
Good Luck to you in whatever you do. Former NC resident and participant
The 400 does more than pay for your ticket from NC and your room was already paid for by the APA so you didn't pay for that either. When you say other stuff, do you mean like gambling and food. No, they are not going to subsidize the extra stuff but are the only ones that give you a free ride. You did earn it, as you should have, and you had the chance to win more money in your tier.
Good Luck to you in whatever you do. Former NC resident and participant
been to the others
Well, you know what happens when you assume something. You make an a@# well you know the rest.
Yes, I have attended the BCA tournament the last three years so I do know what I am talking about and contrary to your opinion it is not the best or best run.
Unfortunately, most on this site assume that anyone that has a different opinion isn't in the BCA and bash them.
That in itself says a lot about the BCA players and their mentality.
BCA player
Well, you know what happens when you assume something. You make an a@# well you know the rest.
Yes, I have attended the BCA tournament the last three years so I do know what I am talking about and contrary to your opinion it is not the best or best run.
Unfortunately, most on this site assume that anyone that has a different opinion isn't in the BCA and bash them.
That in itself says a lot about the BCA players and their mentality.
BCA player
Tell ya what, poolhustla, I've been on the APA trip before and I'm going on the BCA trip next week. I'll give you an informed opinion as to which I think is better. I will say if just half of what I hear about the BCA experience is true, BCA sounds way better.
I play BCA but I am sure any of them are fine...Hell just going is fine.
From what I understand is that the APA is handicapped different than the BCA.
BCA is farily simple you are either Open / Master /Grand Master but within each division everyone goes to the same number of games and there is no ball weight or any thing like that.
From what I understand is that the APA is handicapped different than the BCA.
BCA is farily simple you are either Open / Master /Grand Master but within each division everyone goes to the same number of games and there is no ball weight or any thing like that.
The BCA tournament features the best league players, the best equipment and by far the best technology and best ran tournament. CSI and TAR are showing live pool from the US Open on TV's throughout the casino and in your rooms. (Also on http://www.theactionreport.com) You can get your table assignments via text message and email. The Brackets for all the tournaments are live on the internet for anyone in the world to follow your progress (http://www.ctsondemand.com)
The BCA League that I run pay's the $250/team entry fee for the top team. And we pay out 100% of all league money to the players. Nothing goes to a BCA organization taking away from the players like the APA. With 8 teams in a 18 week season the top team gets $1400, 2nd gets $1050. I got my room for $45/night at the Riv. You can split a room with 3 other people if you like, that's $100 each for 8 nights.
Yes, it's $1/game, but even in the best case you do well in Scotch Doubles, Singles and Team and play what 200 games of pool inwhich you split tokens!
All the top Pro's are there in multiple tournaments. You can talk with them, play them, buy merchandise from them, etc. etc.
The payouts are not huge for the OPEN events, but they do pay out very very deep. You might only have to win 3 matches to get "in the money".
The APA might be great for some people, and maybe those are the 'C' players or the Sandbaggers, or the League Operators, or ....
I know for me I would be able to hold my head REAL HIGH after besting 1500+ players in the BCA Open.
If you are going to Vegas to "make money" then you have the wrong approach to having fun and to me the more fun and things to do equals the "Best" Tournament to attend.
The BCA League that I run pay's the $250/team entry fee for the top team. And we pay out 100% of all league money to the players. Nothing goes to a BCA organization taking away from the players like the APA. With 8 teams in a 18 week season the top team gets $1400, 2nd gets $1050. I got my room for $45/night at the Riv. You can split a room with 3 other people if you like, that's $100 each for 8 nights.
Yes, it's $1/game, but even in the best case you do well in Scotch Doubles, Singles and Team and play what 200 games of pool inwhich you split tokens!
All the top Pro's are there in multiple tournaments. You can talk with them, play them, buy merchandise from them, etc. etc.
The payouts are not huge for the OPEN events, but they do pay out very very deep. You might only have to win 3 matches to get "in the money".
The APA might be great for some people, and maybe those are the 'C' players or the Sandbaggers, or the League Operators, or ....
I know for me I would be able to hold my head REAL HIGH after besting 1500+ players in the BCA Open.
If you are going to Vegas to "make money" then you have the wrong approach to having fun and to me the more fun and things to do equals the "Best" Tournament to attend.
Ok, I have been to Vegas for the BCA, VNEA, APA and ACS.
I'll give a brief opinion of each:
ACS = Well, this tourney had such a small turnout, they only had 1 board for all the open teams. This was a 128 bracket and it was not full.
Tournament was well run, just not enough people. This tournament only needed 1 ballroom for the tables.
VNEA = This tournament was well run with Open, Intermediate and Masters teams. There was plenty of teams and competition. Seemed like the only difference from BCA was the lack of any Pro tournament.
BCA = My personal favorite, plenty of teams in the Open and Masters categories. Also, as an added bonus, there is the Pro tourney down the hall passed the ball rooms.
Seems like there are more good players overall in this tourney.
APA = I played in the Master division and competition was good. Surprisingly, I saw familiar faces from the BCA and VNEA.
The downside was the handicap tourney hosted at the same time. How many times did I hear "he's not a SL2" ....."should be a SL4"? Tons of whining.
During the finals of the Master division, held up in the Penthouse, there was only about 40 people watching the best of the best. Meanwhile, all the bangers in the handicap tourney were downstairs doing their usual complaining.
Anyway, JMHO, but I like the BCA tourney and the fact that you may share an elevator ride with any Pro on a given day.:thumbup:
I'll give a brief opinion of each:
ACS = Well, this tourney had such a small turnout, they only had 1 board for all the open teams. This was a 128 bracket and it was not full.
Tournament was well run, just not enough people. This tournament only needed 1 ballroom for the tables.
VNEA = This tournament was well run with Open, Intermediate and Masters teams. There was plenty of teams and competition. Seemed like the only difference from BCA was the lack of any Pro tournament.
BCA = My personal favorite, plenty of teams in the Open and Masters categories. Also, as an added bonus, there is the Pro tourney down the hall passed the ball rooms.
Seems like there are more good players overall in this tourney.
APA = I played in the Master division and competition was good. Surprisingly, I saw familiar faces from the BCA and VNEA.
The downside was the handicap tourney hosted at the same time. How many times did I hear "he's not a SL2" ....."should be a SL4"? Tons of whining.
During the finals of the Master division, held up in the Penthouse, there was only about 40 people watching the best of the best. Meanwhile, all the bangers in the handicap tourney were downstairs doing their usual complaining.
Anyway, JMHO, but I like the BCA tourney and the fact that you may share an elevator ride with any Pro on a given day.:thumbup:
C-man,
Call me skeptical; if you have really been to the BCA, please let us know what we've all obviously been missing. Why is there such an overwhelming preference among players who've been to all of the tournaments?? Specifics are appreciated.
I'll start. Tables better at BCA - Diamond tables are fabulous. Matches start ON TIME. Continuous mini-tournaments to get you warmed up - incredible fun. Plenty of referees. LOTS of tables. Pro event held concurrently. Best payouts by far. MORE VENDORS than any tournament on earth. Challenge tables with pro's present most of the day. Free lesson sessions from some great instructors. Trick shot exhibitions. Rick Schnitz there to do custom photo's. All these things set BCA clearly apart from the other tourneys.
I didn't say the other tourneys are bad; I'll be playing in two next year; but in what way do you think any of the others are better? I've never heard anyone express that opinion before - you are entitled to your opinion, but l'm mystified as to the basis.
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preference
I'll finish, Diamond tables do play well but fabulous, man you need to get a life. Matches start on time, if you want real mini tournament action there can be only one winner there, APA. 20 out of 24 hours a day for ten days in it's own dedicated area with 100 per cent of entries returned to players. No cutting $10 from every 8 man mini like the BCA. Yes you do pay for the tables in both for minis but there is no cut and first is $160 not $50 like the bca. 4 players get paid on every board and there are many different formats and larger brackets with much larger payouts. Unbelievable fun.
Plenty of referees.
Whole event run much more professionally. NO CONTEST.
Team event not scattered all over creation and stuck in side rooms for some.
Last place in teams get $350 at registration and first is $25K for 8 Ball and $15K for 9 ball.
Our team finished 65th last year in bCa and split around $350. Best Payout by far. I don't think so.
I start to doubt you when you say more vendors, it's the same vendors and there are around the same number for both. They don't care who pays them.
Same cue repair guys. They like money too.
Challenge matches with pros and instruction from great teachers. Trick shot exhibitions. See vendors above. same group my man, they don't care who pays them.
More teams at team event in august with trip paid and singles in april with trip paid. Have so many players and teams have to hold two massive events a year. If anyone could just pay their way in the APA would need a month to get the tournament run.
Same guy or someone just like him taking custom photos. See vendors above. The pic guy doesn't care who pays him.
Clearly the APA is the WINNER.
I never said that your favorite was bad either.
Look me up in August in Vegas and we can figure it out in person.
Th\\\
I'll finish, Diamond tables do play well but fabulous, man you need to get a life. Matches start on time, if you want real mini tournament action there can be only one winner there, APA. 20 out of 24 hours a day for ten days in it's own dedicated area with 100 per cent of entries returned to players. No cutting $10 from every 8 man mini like the BCA. Yes you do pay for the tables in both for minis but there is no cut and first is $160 not $50 like the bca. 4 players get paid on every board and there are many different formats and larger brackets with much larger payouts. Unbelievable fun.
Plenty of referees.
Whole event run much more professionally. NO CONTEST.
Team event not scattered all over creation and stuck in side rooms for some.
Last place in teams get $350 at registration and first is $25K for 8 Ball and $15K for 9 ball.
Our team finished 65th last year in bCa and split around $350. Best Payout by far. I don't think so.
I start to doubt you when you say more vendors, it's the same vendors and there are around the same number for both. They don't care who pays them.
Same cue repair guys. They like money too.
Challenge matches with pros and instruction from great teachers. Trick shot exhibitions. See vendors above. same group my man, they don't care who pays them.
More teams at team event in august with trip paid and singles in april with trip paid. Have so many players and teams have to hold two massive events a year. If anyone could just pay their way in the APA would need a month to get the tournament run.
Same guy or someone just like him taking custom photos. See vendors above. The pic guy doesn't care who pays him.
Clearly the APA is the WINNER.
I never said that your favorite was bad either.
Look me up in August in Vegas and we can figure it out in person.
The apa paid for half my room but I still had to pay part of the cost both times. When my masters team won the trip to vegas we won a grand total of 50 bucks a piece to goto vegas on. Yes our entry into the tourney was paid for but 50 bucks from NC to Vegas doesn't help much. We won a end of year buy in tourney to get there.
I'm not trying to complain because I had a great time everytime I've went to vegas for the apa but I do want to see for myself if the bca, vnea are a better experience.
Having been to both the BCA and APA events, i would think it is pretty much a tie.
Both have basically the same vendors so that is a wash.
BCA singles are run at the same time
APA - so big that singles has to be run as a separate event at another time
BCA has better competition - no comparison - partially becuase it is an open, buy in event. Any one can go - no qualifying
APA is harder to get to - because it is a qualified only event.
BCA is basically fof the higher level player
APA gives an opportunity for the player who is not so good to compete at the national level
BCA is prestigious because of the level of competition
APA is prestigious because you have to earn your way there
BCA pays less, but that is because most money is returned at the league level
APA pays more, but that is because a portion of the league fee goes to the APA
BCA is very well organized - a well run event
APA is in my opinion a little better organized - and I would expect it to be because again, some of my league fees go to pay staff whereas that is not the case is BCA
I don't know much about the VNEA but I have heard that the ACS is pretty well run but is very small in comparison. TAP just isnt in the same class as the other 4 (just my opinion)
In my opinion, going to either the BCA ot APA event is awesome. Both tournaments are a pool players dream. Any chance a person gets to go to either of these they should welcome with open arms and enjoy themselves
trip
APA pays for your room while you are in vegas at singles. The only reason you paid half was that you wanted a room by yourself otherwise you would have had no cost. That was your choice and a lot of players will pay the difference for a private room. The money you won in your masters tournament wasn't for you to go to vegas on it was simply the pot for that tournament. What you won was the slot for the event. It was up to you to use it or let another team go.
Maybe you should go a little further down the road to Raleigh and play masters. Masters team advancing to Vegas receive $3k per team.
One thing you will find on this site is that the majority of posters are haters of the APA so good luck but keep an open mind and take everyones post with a grain of salt.
APA pays for your room while you are in vegas at singles. The only reason you paid half was that you wanted a room by yourself otherwise you would have had no cost. That was your choice and a lot of players will pay the difference for a private room. The money you won in your masters tournament wasn't for you to go to vegas on it was simply the pot for that tournament. What you won was the slot for the event. It was up to you to use it or let another team go.
Maybe you should go a little further down the road to Raleigh and play masters. Masters team advancing to Vegas receive $3k per team.
One thing you will find on this site is that the majority of posters are haters of the APA so good luck but keep an open mind and take everyones post with a grain of salt.