In the light of a decrease in Regionals prizes, I'd hope this is leading up to a better Nationals tournament. Here are some things that need to be worked on:
-No more 7-2, 6-2, X-2 missing a large cut like a T32: This really shouldn't happen, under any circumstance. This event has over 400 and probably nearing 500 15+ players and the fact that the cut is less than 10% is already a joke in itself
-Larger cut or pods: Now, 6-3 isn't a GREAT record, and I'm not arguing for them to make the cut, but if we have another increase this year (HIGHLY likely) then maybe we should think about a 10 round, T64 cut. You let some 7-3s in (I don't think all, I'd have to do the math) and 7-3 is 70% win, not exactly BAD to be in the cut. You allow all 8-2, 9-1, and 10-0 in, the way it SHOULD be.
We could use pods, too. It is just hard to work out and needs to be extensively worked on PRIOR to Nationals. We can give a good guestimate of the attendance. And I think a lot of people would like to see a couple less rounds and a bigger cut.....Pods CAN do this.
-Added prizes to the entire T32: Really, I think all of T32 should get some sort of scholarship $$. You're placing in the Top 5-10% in the biggest tournament in the World. AT LEAST pay the T16. How bad is it that the T16 last year out of about 425 15+ players got some cards and a pat on the back, no money, no trip, no invite when they placed T16/425 (Top 4%).
I just think it is unfair how good some players do at U.S. Nationals and are not rewarded like they should be. Most other countrie's Nationals are 1/4 or less the size of the U.S. and I don't think a lot of people realize how difficult of a tournament United States Nationals really is.
-No more 7-2, 6-2, X-2 missing a large cut like a T32: This really shouldn't happen, under any circumstance. This event has over 400 and probably nearing 500 15+ players and the fact that the cut is less than 10% is already a joke in itself
-Larger cut or pods: Now, 6-3 isn't a GREAT record, and I'm not arguing for them to make the cut, but if we have another increase this year (HIGHLY likely) then maybe we should think about a 10 round, T64 cut. You let some 7-3s in (I don't think all, I'd have to do the math) and 7-3 is 70% win, not exactly BAD to be in the cut. You allow all 8-2, 9-1, and 10-0 in, the way it SHOULD be.
We could use pods, too. It is just hard to work out and needs to be extensively worked on PRIOR to Nationals. We can give a good guestimate of the attendance. And I think a lot of people would like to see a couple less rounds and a bigger cut.....Pods CAN do this.
-Added prizes to the entire T32: Really, I think all of T32 should get some sort of scholarship $$. You're placing in the Top 5-10% in the biggest tournament in the World. AT LEAST pay the T16. How bad is it that the T16 last year out of about 425 15+ players got some cards and a pat on the back, no money, no trip, no invite when they placed T16/425 (Top 4%).
I just think it is unfair how good some players do at U.S. Nationals and are not rewarded like they should be. Most other countrie's Nationals are 1/4 or less the size of the U.S. and I don't think a lot of people realize how difficult of a tournament United States Nationals really is.