Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Not So Great Encounters in Niles

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I am Entei

I am Entei

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Mates,
Niles reached a new low in holding Pokemon tournaments. The turnout was surprisingly large for Niles and Super Bowl Sunday with a lot of juniors which was really great to see. As usual, we had the bloke judging who really doesn't understand what's going on with Pokemon. Although, he seemed to take some coaching from a bloke in a Pokemon professor hat. Also, they had a Morningtide prerelease at the same time with people playing Yugioh making it crowded and stuffy.
Then, at about the third round (out of 5 rounds for 30 minute rounds) we learn that there are no prizes for the tournament. The judge bloke says with a big smile, "It's all for rankings..there are no prizes." How cheap can you be (yes I know they gave out the free posters!)!!! Needless to say, the place emptied out as people (including me and my pals), left with their packs to get home and mostly to get out of there without playing the final 2 rounds.
I appreciate that they hold the tournaments (we hadn't missed but 2 in 2 years) as there are not many places or people doing it (Before anyone says anything, I and many others have offered to help them run tournaments for free) but to me it seemed like "Thanks for the 12 quid and we'll squeeze you in somewhere between the games and players we really fancy!" We shan't be returning!
Let me know your thoughts!
Cheers
 
I am Entei said:
Mates,
Niles reached a new low in holding Pokemon tournaments. The turnout was surprisingly large for Niles and Super Bowl Sunday with a lot of juniors which was really great to see. As usual, we had the bloke judging who really doesn't understand what's going on with Pokemon. Although, he seemed to take some coaching from a bloke in a Pokemon professor hat. Also, they had a Morningtide prerelease at the same time with people playing Yugioh making it crowded and stuffy.
Then, at about the third round (out of 5 rounds for 30 minute rounds) we learn that there are no prizes for the tournament. The judge bloke says with a big smile, "It's all for rankings..there are no prizes." How cheap can you be (yes I know they gave out the free posters!)!!! Needless to say, the place emptied out as people (including me and my pals), left with their packs to get home and mostly to get out of there without playing the final 2 rounds.
I appreciate that they hold the tournaments (we hadn't missed but 2 in 2 years) as there are not many places or people doing it (Before anyone says anything, I and many others have offered to help them run tournaments for free) but to me it seemed like "Thanks for the 12 quid and we'll squeeze you in somewhere between the games and players we really fancy!" We shan't be returning!
Let me know your thoughts!
Cheers
Click to expand...

Yeah, Ok I bolded everything that is wrong....

1- Who gets someone to judge pokemon who doesnt know anything about pokemon
2- EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW YU-GI-OH
3- There is supose to be prizes
4- Rankings... for a prerelease... yeah right...

Contact POP directly and tell them about your expereance at this prerelease.
 
WAIT: are you saying that prerelease participants paid their $25, got their six packs to build/play with, but *did not get their other two packs* at the end of the event?!

clarification, please...

'mom
 
Yes, we did receive our 2 additional packs. Are they considered the prizes?
Niles, in the past, has also given out packs for first - fourth in the prerelease tournament.

Cheers
 
any 'prizes' over and above the product furnished by POP for prereleases...in other words, the 8 packs, prerelease card and sleeves for the GE event...are up to the discretion of the TO, as they are the one supplying them.

'mom
 
Mom is right in that.

If you have a problem with the tournament, use the reporting feature on the OP website in your My Stats page in your My Pokemon account.
 
Sounds like there is nothing to complain about really - other than the TO/Venue has decided not to augment the prize support..

Morningtide is of course MtG not YGO and hey venues have to do what they can to make the place pay .. if as is said the turnout was bigger than expected then hey there is the answer..

Moan moan moan .. more more more ... mmmmm... on second thoughts complain away it sure looks like you have a case to answer :rolleyes:
 
Yeah its legitimate, but I think the point I am Entei is making is that it is disappointing. (Overall, the lack of "usual" prizes, poor running etc).
 
ukpokemonpro said:
Sounds like there is nothing to complain about really - other than the TO/Venue has decided not to augment the prize support..
Click to expand...

I actually just mentioned the no prizes as just one of the things that made it disappointing. To me that was no big deal, but it did make a lot of people leave early.
I guess I'm to used to the brilliant way the lady in Rockford runs her tourneys. I'll lower my expectations.

ukpokemonpro said:
Morningtide is of course MtG not YGO and hey venues have to do what they can to make the place pay .. if as is said the turnout was bigger than expected then hey there is the answer..
Click to expand...

BTW, I do know the difference between Yugioh and Magic. We have played Yugioh and Magic before at Niles and they have handsomely awarded lots of prizes and door prizes but that's not the point.

Cheers
 
I agree with Entei that it was a bit of a disappointment, especially to participants like me that didn't open any "money" cards but had a really good sealed pool. I was able to go 3-0 then drop to go watch the Super Bowl since it was very obvious early that besides the 2 additional packs we won't be rewarded with prizes for doing well, and there really wasn't much of a point being there on a day when most people have parties to attend. I can understand, the only rewards are the 2 additional packs for participating, but when are competing for nothing for a total of 5 rounds is just ridiculous.
 
I was a participant at said Prerelease. The most disappointing aspect of the entire ordeal was the fact that the staff had absolutely no idea what was going on and had to be "reminded" by a player about how the tournament was supposed to be run. I believe that this information is readily available in the FAQ that the TO is sent.

Entei: The prize structure of all events for Pokemon is at the OP website as well as your My Pokemon account. Use it to report on every Pokemon event that you attend, good or bad.
 
I am Entei said:
I guess I'm to used to the brilliant way the lady in Rockford runs her tourneys. I'll lower my expectations

Cheers
Click to expand...

Thank you, I guess that would be me :biggrin: Glad to hear you have a good time in Rockford!
But very sorry to hear about your less than pleasant experience there at Niles. Sadly, I got similar reports from some of my people who also made the trip there, after going to ours on Sat. It's such a shame that Pokemon is placed so low on their priority list... they could really have wonderful turnouts and great events with all the interest from people in the area there, if only they'd give it a bit more attention. :frown:
 
Not going to defend how they ran their event except to say this...

Any organizer who gives out additional prize support at their prereleases is actually acting against the spirit of the event, and the TOs are doing so out of their own pocket.

PreReleases a LONG time ago switched to the 2 packs for everyone prize support, in order to reward all players.

Too many players would pay their then $15 or so, get 6 packs, and that was it.

A lucky few could get a box, but not the majority.

You want to play for prizes, get the venue to run an afterdraft, that is what we do. Everyone pays 15-18 for 6 packs, you pass draft 5, and the 6th goes into a winner take all prize pool!

That is how it should be done in my opinion. Prized events in the afterdraft.
 
Another idea that I use is door prizes. It seems popular to give younger players Pokemon related items, ie plushies, posters, t-shirts, games, etc. Then for the older players that may not want these types of things, we put some packs, sleeves, deck boxes and those sort of items. I tend to group these prizes according to what they are, put 4-5 buckets out, give each player an enrty slip at the door, and let them choose which bucket to put their name in. That way each player gets the chance at the prizes they want. Its a bit of extra work, and a little $ out of my pocket, but most of the players that come seem happy.:thumb:

More related to the topic, its unfortunate that
things went that way. We had an bad experience at a tournament there some time ago, but the store owner did go out of his way to fix the problem. Perhaps the folks in charge there are , getting too much on their plate at one time and things are being forgotten, misplaced, or who knows. It may also be that other games draw in more money for them, so they get more attention. Seems a bit harsh, but lets face it, it is a business and they have to do whatever it takes to kep the lights on.

just my 2c worth.
 
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Yes, we like to give out a LOT of door prizes, cuz then everyone has a shot at it! And usually almost everyone gets a little something... even the empty booster boxes are popular! Door prizes and side events afterward add a lot of fun I think! Makes it a whole day of fun!

But on topic, you may be right Troy... business is business, and maybe for some reason it's just not as big a draw for them as the other events there... But I think the message some of the players were getting across is that it's a bummer for those who have offered to help and make it a better experience for those who do go there, but they just get disregarded, even when they've offered to help for free. That's the sad part, at least from what my players who go there tell me. They always feel like the bottom rung on the totem pole... it's just so unfortunate.
 
If you'd like to share how to do it right, start your own topic on how to have an excellent PRE or something. If you have a complaint about an event... go over to MyPokemon and press the feedback button for that tourney. By the way, the 'Gym could use a nice article on how to do that. If you're interested PM me.

Not to shut down any legit concerns or say anyone is a bad person for comparing their wonderful tournament operations practices to those in the complaint, but really, let's stow issues where they belong and not put someone someone on trial using the forums.
 
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