Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Illinois State Championship - March 9th-10th, 2013 (updated as 2-day event)

The funny thing about this argument is that it all comes down to choice. Everyone had a choice to either attend IL and possibly play two days, or attend another tournament and play one day. I went to Nebraska this weekend instead of IL because my wife prefers it if I am home by Sunday morning. In Nebraska, there were a handful of people that made a longer drive to Nebraska because of the two day event.

That being said, they still had a choice. With the number of tournaments each weekend, everyone could've found a different tourney to go to. I personally wish I could have made the trip to IL. A two day tournament is just more excuse to hang out with the people that makes this game so great.

I applaud Jimmy for standing out on a limb and saying "this is what's best for the players, even if they don't know it yet." If anyway disagreed, they could simply go somewhere else. I think the general response from players that attended would show that he was right again.
 
Jimmy, It was a great decision. I enjoy myself and thought the event was nicely ran, and it being 2 days allow much more flexibility. The only problem that i had is not knowing what the tickets were for before it was too late. Otherwise, great Job.

Too be fair, I did go to the second day for a while and did have to head back home to Wisconsin in arguably worse weather. I had no problems with that, because the weather is something that is not only out of any PTO hands, but can be unseen without last min changes.
 
I may be mistaken but I think we are the "said family in question" that traveled home late Sunday night. Let me put this out there if we are said family so there isnt any question or guesswork.

1-none of us were at the event day 2. We stayed with friends in Rockford, which is about 1 1/2 hours closer to home for us. We decided that since nobody made the top cut, and were all exhausted from traveling in Saturday morning, that we would instead spend time with our friends instead of attending the day 2 events.

2-since we didnt go to day 2 events, we shopped, ate lunch, etc with our frineds. We did stay later than needed, but one of our friends we wanted to see was on staff, and we wanted to have dinner with her before we left. Also, the restaurant we wanted to go to was closing when we got there so we had to find an alternative. Not a big deal but did delay our leaving by 15 min.

3- we had some issues with the vehicle we were traveling in. Now granted these issues didnt kick in until we hit the snow and were slowed down anyways, but it did cause us to pull off several times, and check the condition of the issue.

4- my wife and I have our local tv station send weather reports 2 times a day as well as when weather alerts go out to our phones. We knew the snow was coming, and we decided to stay.

Not trying to choose sides or add aynthing to any of the debate. If this is us mentioned above, I want to be no mistakes about what was going on with us. Also, the event went very smoothly, andwas enjoyed by most if not all. Was it necessary to be a 2 day event? Debateable. As tight of a time schedule as Jimmy runs, it is possible that it could have still been done in one day and been done sooner that most if not all states of similar size. The thing that I heard most eas there was less pressure and stress. Everyone could relex a little more, and not have to plan for the 12+ hour day. Also those that did make cut could get a little sleep in between swiss and cut. Sure, they had to get a place to stay, spend more on food, etc. I guess it depends on your opinion if the extra expense is worth it.
 
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I know I would of wanted Ontario Provincials to be 2 days given the fact we SHATTERED attendance by having just around 205 players total

Would of been in the benefit of players and staff who were there till close to midnight without a lunch break.

Instead of not liking a said change since it is not to your liking, don't criticize the entire basis of Jimmy's argument for having a 2-day event which is attendance.
I think the fact it was 2 days was the reason MORE people attended it.
 
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I will note that in one other prominent card game geared for kids, the operations documents state in no uncertain terms that having events run past 10:00 pm is unacceptable, and should be avoided.

This is a game that has 95% plus players that are over the age of 15.

Why Pokemon tolerates events that run late into the night is simply beyond me at this point.

Vince
 
A two day event definitely made sense with the massive increase in number of players we've seen, and was really enjoyed by everyone who went. People who did not attend the event or never even planned to need to stop chiming in their two cents on a topic that they don't have first hand knowledge about. If you want to have an event in your state run past 11pm and create a danger for exhausted players driving home, that's your decision, but Jimmy did a great job planning and ran an awesome event.
 
For all the players that were there...

I have a small box of lost and found stuff...

Send an email to [email protected] if you feel you have lost something at the event.

There is a wide variety of things. Just discribe it as best as possible and we will see if we have it.

Jimmy
 
Jimmy: Thank you for blasting me for simply stating AN opinion on 2 day states. Glad you had a great event. I apologize for the one inference for the family that was traveling late sunday thru a snowstorm and bad roads in WI. I knew they went to your states and assumed when I saw posts on sunday about the drive home, that they were there on day 2. (That has been corrected) Didnt mean to pull the Leskys into this. Sorry folks!

That being said, I do have issues with 2 day states, if it becomes the "norm". If you have looked at my posts on other places, including fb, I cited similar arguments. I am very concerned that if the schedule continues to "expand" with more 2 day events, we will kill the golden goose and many many families wont/or will choose to not attend that many events. It is a drain on family resources to be on the road that many weekends. (And I make a good income, would hate to see how it affects some with lower incomes).

Now, if we scaled back to 2 weekends for states, the numbers wont dictate the the need for 2 day states either in my opinion.

Jimmy, you know how highly I think of you and enjoy the times we get to spend together at Nats and anywhere we meet up. If you had any problem with my posts earlier than this, the phone lines run both ways ;)

It is easy to sit back and monday morning QB this issue. Easy to nit pick a few of my posts over a few week period when you have the actual numbers in after the fact, I applaud you for pushing the envelope. I fear what the direction might lead to though.

Keith
 
Great event!!! Congrats to Jimmy, Deb, Camille, and the staff!!!

BTW, I looked at the tournament standings on Pokemon.com and it appears there are some problems with who is in what age division. I'm assuming this has to do with the issues Pokémon is having with the website but thought I'd bring it up.

Joel
 
losjackal said:
Well, I don't know why they left so late! Because by 4pm we were already enjoying some Portillo's with Jason, Kyle, Adam, and Ross after breaking down all the tables and chairs, Jimmy packing up all his stuff and leaving, and cleaning and closing the venue.

Mr. TuxedoBlack left at 2:30pm after having finished in the Top 4. Top 2 was Ross and another local player. While I know of some Wisconsin friends who were on staff and returned to West Wisconsin last night, there was no explanation for them or any players to remain all the way until 4pm due to the 2-day timing.
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I guess I went off the schedule that Jimmy posted

"Tournament Schedule Day 2
• 9:00 Doors open to Public
• 10:00 Masters Top 16 Start Time
• 11:30 All Ages Top 8 Start Time
• 1:00 All Ages Top 4
• 2:30 All Ages Top 2
• 4:00 Closing Ceremonies"

4 PM closing ceremonies. Also, Mr TuxedoBlack posted at 631 PM that the event ended 1-2 hrs before, another indication to me that the event ended about 4 pm ish. Unless Jimmy changed the schedule, top 8 for all age groups were required to come back day 2. Why? Our JRs were done before 5 pm and the SRs were done early evening ( we did give the top 4, I think, a dinner break with the MAs for their top cuts) Carlos also mentioned that top 2 ended at 230 ish and top 2 had a scheduled 75 min finals.

I will also add that the increase in numbers came only from MAs (+40), the event was up 36 overall, meaning 4 fewer JRs and SRs came to play this year. Not off much, but some. MAs are easier to travel bc they have the cars and licenses. NCar had 35 SRs, which equated to a top 8. We had competing states to the north of us (VA) and south (GA). What was your closest competing state? Not IN, MI, MO, WI, ......you had a slew of states to draw from. Glad the PTOs in the area could work together to coordinate this weekend for Jimmy, but next week, it wont be so smooth. Vince has already backed off on the 2 day event bc he doesnt think the numbers will justify it.

Yes, some areas can use a 2 day states, if the numbers justify it. What if we are scaled back to 2 weekends for states? People still get chances to play, but the numbers will thin out in each locale. Jimmy's players will get easy chances to play all 3 weekends bc they have WI, IN, MI and MO in the upcoming 2 weeks to go to. Same with the East Coast. In other areas, people travel much greater distances.

I can admit when I am wrong, but I can also point out the other side too. From all indications, Jimmy had a GREAT event. I am glad for him and his players and staff. I am just concerned with where all of this is leading.

Keith
 
I see where you drew your conclusions from about timing. Fact is, Sunday went swiftly, and Jimmy never likes to start late but when there is the possibility to start early of course he should. (And the closing ceremonies consisted of everyone helping to put away tables and chairs in exchange for some extra swag from Jimmy. Much appreciated!!)

As for where all of this is leading, the changes are due to more players showing up to more tournaments....essentially not only due to a good player base but also the expansion of States and Regionals weekends. So maybe TPC has other changes planned to better accommodate higher attendances overall. I think all any PTO can do is to make sure their one event runs as well as possible.
 
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