2011 Houston Regionals TWO DAY thoughts

[Vulpix Yolk]

I'm a New Mexico player, and I think that a two day Regs would be excellent. If you did this I would attend this Regionals instead of the one in Utah. Last year me and my friends didn't get enough sleep and everyone loves two day tournaments. I'd do it.

 

[Caleb]

I'm a New Mexico player, and I think that a two day Regs would be excellent. If you did this I would attend this Regionals instead of the one in Utah. Last year me and my friends didn't get enough sleep and everyone loves two day tournaments. I'd do it.

Increased attendance! Right here Mike! All you need to know!

 

[Cyrus]

jkwarrior (Jorel from the Dallas area) wrote on HeyTrainer:

Yeah the event went to 3 in the morning...but that's not for everyone. That was for 2 people.

If I were to make the finals and stay til 3, then it's worth it to me....But I don't want to pretty much HAVE to make a 2 day event out of it.

I only live about 31 1/2 hours [sic - probably meant 3 and a half] from Houston. My buddies and I would just drive home that night no matter what time we got out = not having to spend money on a hotel

Decreased attendance! Right here Mike! All you need to know!

Caleb, if I whiff cut, then fine, I go home early and all is peachy, but if I do make it, then I really don't want to pay a ton of extra money to stay. At least with Nationals it's a slated three day event for everyone, so you know what you're getting into. With a Regionals where the only events going on for day two are top cuts, you don't. Spending an extra $50-$100 just to play one round of top cut would be a nightmare reality for 16 people I don't want to see happen.

It seems to me like the general tone is shifting towards a two day regional, but even if this is the case, please wait a year: it's not ready, and from the sound of things, P!P isn't ready to throw their full weight behind it.

P.S. I don't know how practical this is, but here's an idea I have for next year's tournament season which would accommodate for universal two day regionals. I'll send an E-mail to the appropriate organized play address when it's ready, but the gist of it is...

*P!P works to get dirt-cheap promotional rates for at least one hotel near every Regional in the country. Alternatively, they distribute X number of hotel vouchers/traveler's checks to the PTO to distribute to the top 8 or sixteen players (depending on how many would go to day two)...The latter is likely not too practical, but the former is a staple of every World Championship event, so I don't see why they couldn't do this elsewhere.
*P!P sends the appropriate prize support to accommodate day two side events.

P.S.S. If I cut and we have a two day event, mind if I crash at your place Caleb? Lol.

 

[MrMeches]

FWIW, I think a 2 day event would be better in its entirety. Multiple reasons:

1. Previous Regionals has proven that SR and JR groups finish far before Masters and this allows those Casual Parents of the younger age groups to determine overall on Dropping or sticking it out. Some Masters are parents that are playing just ot enjoy the game while their younguns compete.

2. On the event that the Young groups do go long, it can be determined by Tiny to take T16 to Day 2. This allows fro refreshing of those young minds who honestly do not need to be pushed to Poker Star mentality so early on.

3. Master age group is expansive and hosts 15 year olds that have not yet built the stamina. In the essence of SOTG, it would allow those younger Master players the same opportunity on fresh thoughts to perform better overall.

4. It would allow a Fresh Staff to be sharp and prepared for the Finals. This reduces the possibility of fatigue and error so Rulings are made efficiently and correctly. TPCi recognized this and thus made Nats multiple days, why not Super Regionals?

5. Most players have the hotel overnight anyway. Yes the travel situation could come into effect, but as long as Mike gives plenty of advanced notice, this should be a moot point.

6. Allows for more fellowshipping of extended POKEMON FAMILIES!!

My vote is yes for the 2 day. Attendance will not suffer imho as long as it is well announced in advance. We all want the Best turn out and crown the Best Players. If this provides that forum, then so let it be written, so let it be done!!

Negatives..... there aren't any. It is Pokemon and meant to be FUN!! Everyone applauded Nats going to essentially 3 days after the fact. In the long run, I think many will be appreciative of the chance to play every round and the chance of starting fresh in Top Cut!

 

[Cyrus]

Now to be fair to Fish, who just wrote an excellent post right after mine, I feel like it's worth responding to it...

I'm not against longer events in general. In fact, I _love_ Nationals being a full three days, and found it a great pleasure to play the last two rounds of swiss + a full 75 minute top cut match in T128. However, attendance at day two is strictly conditional, and not all hotels are as flexible as some make them out to be, so you may in fact not be able to cancel your room for the extra night...But instead end up losing the money. Ouch.

And while I feel at least five of six of Fish's numbered points are rock-solid (early finishes for younger kids, refreshing of young 7-15 year old minds, fresh staff, more fellowshipping), I disagree that there are no "negatives"...The one certain negative is cost, and even though that may sound like a shallow negative, it's an extremely important one to factor in. For many, it's the reason why we go to our closest events.

For me personally, this Regional is the clear no-brainer to go to regardless of it being a one or two day event: it's the closest, has some of the world's best players at it every year, and some of the finest people I've ever known. I'll be happy to go either way...But I'll be happier to go if it's a one day event, so I think it's crucial that I play devil's advocate for A) the interests of players who aren't posting; and B) my own.

Spoken 111% truthfully,

-Señor Kettler

 

[Caleb]

P.S.S. If I cut and we have a two day event, mind if I crash at your place Caleb? Lol.

Can't see why not. xD We've got a guest room.

Anyways, I really don't think the negatives outweigh the benefits. I know nats went up to three days, and I still don't have a problem forking over a bit of extra cash for that. It's pokemon! xD I mean me and a friend carpooled from Houston to San Antonio for a cities. Was a tad expensive, and I ended up placing pretty bad because I wanted to try gyarados. Did I still have a good time? Yeah.

I just think that an issue like one night shouldn't make that big of an impact. Regionals is a once a year event, most people are going to be willing to make the hike up, and stay for awhile. It'll be like a mini vacation to Houston. It's awesome here! We have FOUR Starbucks... All on the same corner!

Also JKWarrior didn't say he wouldn't come if it was two days. Just that he'd prefer one day.

 

[wakonow2]

And Regionals just had to be on the same day as some concert my parents are going to, UGH!. looks like im not going to Regionals this year ='P

 

[Cyrus]

After talking to Austin B. (Austino) about this matter of one vs two day regionals, he mentioned to me another pretty important point...One of the many reasons why he chose CO over TX last year:

In terms of event efficiency, do we really need there to be guessing contests, drawing contests, and random raffles? The variety seems to appeal mostly to Juniors, and with the venue move to the racetrack, the heavy appeal to this group seems far less necessary. Given the expense of time/energy taken from players being delayed from playing in what they came to do, consolidating all of this stuff into one simple raffle seems like it would knock off a surprisingly decent chunk of the day.

 

[Austino]

Starting the tournament on time, early, would be another huge factor that makes it more feasible to keep 1 day regional. Having early registration available via 'Gym or w/e means combined with 8:00-9:30 registration with swiss STARTING at 10 am sharp, shorter opening announcements, etc could make it to where regionals completes in a decent time (1am). The new 30+3 could also help this cause, keeping regionals shorter/sweeter for those playing.

 

[Cyrus]

Starting the tournament on time, early, would be another huge factor that makes it more feasible to keep 1 day regional. Having early registration available via 'Gym or w/e means combined with 8:00-9:30 registration with swiss STARTING at 10 am sharp, shorter opening announcements, etc could make it to where regionals completes in a decent time (1am). The new 30+3 could also help this cause, keeping regionals shorter/sweeter for those playing.

And on the point of 30+3, in case"+3" grind to a halt, then the solution to that hypo is simple: keep strictly enforcing the pace of play!

 

[Team Cook]

After talking to Austin B. (Austino) about this matter of one vs two day regionals, he mentioned to me another pretty important point...One of the many reasons why he chose CO over TX last year:

In terms of event efficiency, do we really need there to be guessing contests, drawing contests, and random raffles? The variety seems to appeal mostly to Juniors, and with the venue move to the racetrack, the heavy appeal to this group seems far less necessary. Given the expense of time/energy taken from players being delayed from playing in what they came to do, consolidating all of this stuff into one simple raffle seems like it would knock off a surprisingly decent chunk of the day.

Last year, all this type of stuff was done with drawings DURING play, names were posted so that players could check for winnings in between rounds. NO time was lost due to any of the above.

And speaking of Austino, I know exactly why Austino went to Colorado versus Texas last year and it wasn't because ANY of the above, lol.

 

[Cyrus]

Haha, well I'm not gonna even go there - I never said that was "the" reason he did. Just one lol.

Looking forward to the event, Mike!

 

[Team Cook]

Other than Austino, have we heard from anyone in Oklahoma?

 

[ZeroWing]

All events should strive to start earlier. If National can open Registration at 8am, so can States and Regionals.

This is just my 2 cents and I want the PTO's to know how much I appreciate what they do, I just feel that when you plan for a later start time, if there are any glitches then the start time gets pushed and with earlier planned start times, a 1 hour delay is not as bad.

 

[MrMeches]

Devil's advocate on the early start time are those people traveling in and having difficulties beyond there control. Also those that want to come but cannot, for some reason or another, be able to leave work early enough to do so.

I do have to say last year, it is an opinion that Tiny got things rolling quickly and the tournament ran efficiently all day--- barring the shenanigans of Players etc. Also, i do echo that last year the drawings (Raffles are SOLD Tickets) were not disruptive and overall did not detract from the event.

Pre Reg does work, but only to the strength of those doing so. I would say maybe 30-40% Pre Reg for events. Could there be incentive to Pre Reg, perhaps, but at what point does it fall to the responsibility of the players.

Could a single day be done and then weigh the option of cutting one Swiss round, hard to say, but comparing CO to TX attendance is apples and oranges IMHO. Not saying there is room for improvement all around, but as numbers grow, so does the need to seriously consider 2 day events.

I say, Keep Regionals and add North, South, East and West STS back in the Game!

 

[Cyrus]

Do you feel there's any indication there might be North/South/East/West STS events in the future? I can't be sure, but given P!P's past interest in doing some sort of new "rating/ranking" event, it's every bit possible.

Either way, that sort of super regional would be awesome to have. (And then we could finally have the regular Regional back in Dallas, haha).

 

[Team Cook]

Do you feel there's any indication there might be North/South/East/West STS events in the future? I can't be sure, but given P!P's past interest in doing some sort of new "rating/ranking" event, it's every bit possible.

Either way, that sort of super regional would be awesome to have. (And then we could finally have the regular Regional back in Dallas, haha).

And what makes you think a "super Regional" would end of in Dallas, lol?

---------- Post added 01/11/2011 at 09:49 AM ----------

All events should strive to start earlier. If National can open Registration at 8am, so can States and Regionals.

Good thought but Nationals and Worlds are a bit different from Regionals.

The main reason I've never done an 8:00 am Registration / 10:00 am Start is because it really puts a strain on out of town players. I can remember players from Dallas asking for a later start time so they could travel in the morning of.

Now I need your opinions again.

I have a gaming store that wants to host the Top Cut but it's in The Woodlands area which is 18 miles away from the Race Park. Is 18 miles to far away? The good thing it's straight down I-45 and only 1/2 a mile off the highway AND it's heading back towards Dallas / Ft. Worth.

Space Cadets Collections just hosted our Oak Ridge North City Championships and it held 75 players + parents without any issues. It's a vintage toy store and is owned by one of our own Pokemon moms. She is eager to host Sunday for us at no cost. She's also mentioned a Friday night practice session.

 

[ZeroWing]

Devil's advocate on the early start time are those people traveling in and having difficulties beyond there control. Also those that want to come but cannot, for some reason or another, be able to leave work early enough to do so.

I like debate so I'll bite... :thumb:

At Nationals last year, I knew of several players that drove in...Just in time for registration - the exact same thing happened for States and Regionals. If you set a time to start and people want to play at a high tier event, they will come and play.

Why lower the bar when you can raise expectations?

Also, is there any HARD evidence (not just heresy) that later start times improve attendance?

---------- Post added 01/11/2011 at 08:20 AM ----------

The main reason I've never done an 8:00 am Registration / 10:00 am Start is because it really puts a strain on out of town players. I can remember players from Dallas asking for a later start time so they could travel in the morning of.

Point taken. With a 2 day regional event, I think the point is moot as I am more concerned for the well-being of the younger juniors. 2 years running now I have seen the toll it takes on their mental acuity and playing ability. It would drastically cut down on misplays if they were not forced to play through until 1am - so for that I thank you Mike and I fully support your efforts!

Now I need your opinions again.

I have a gaming store that wants to host the Top Cut but it's in The Woodlands area which is 18 miles away from the Race Park. Is 18 miles to far away? The good thing it's straight down I-45 and only 1/2 a mile off the highway AND it's heading back towards Dallas / Ft. Worth.

Space Cadets Collections just hosted our Oak Ridge North City Championships and it held 75 players + parents without any issues. It's a vintage toy store and is owned by one of our own Pokemon moms. She is eager to host Sunday for us at no cost. She's also mentioned a Friday night practice session.

I really want to see their shop! I might have to go there this weekend!

 

[h0bbesteroo]

I am with Birch on this one. After staffing this event last year, I was exhausted after a certain point of time and the players were too.
Top cut on day two would get people rested, fed and less cranky (Mr Cook and others(including some parents) got a little grumpy there in the end :lol
I don't think its fair on the staff or the players to expect them to be @ 100% after being there for 12+ hours.
I can understand where the cost of a hotel room or having to work might impact whether players would be able to attend. But like the announcement for Nationals, you would have ample time to make arrangements with work or save up for a hotel room if necessary.

I go with two thumbs-up!!! :thumb::thumb: I have ran State Championships where we have gone well into the morning. Not only is it rough for players, but also on the staff!!! :frown: I support "Team Cook" for a two day event. :thumb::thumb:

I like the earlier Sunday start. I don't have the two hour drive, its five hours back to "Birch Manor".

Master Professor Birch

 

[Team Cook]

Also, is there any HARD evidence (not just heresy) that later start times improve attendance?

Yes, there actually is, at least in the greater Houston area. You'll notice I NEVER run BRs or CCs starting earlier than noon. We've always had lower attendance when starting early and it's mainly due to a lot of our kids being in sports.

I really think this could work out for the better for everyone. Knowing ahead of time that Saturday will just be a casual day of Swiss rounds, no hurries, everyone's fresh, parents KNOWING that they won't be stuck all day and into the night, then after a good nights rest, get up have a good breakfast and have Top Cut.

Cyrus quotes others about costs, I don't care what others think about cost, it's not their Regionals and it's not their players. If I need to spend a little bit more to make y'all happy, then I'll do it.