Howdy, I'm new here. I have a tiny bit of tournament experience and am just getting back into action and I have two questions on the structure of tournaments. Registration: Most of the smaller tournaments allow you to enter for the second round. What are the pros and cons of skipping the first round? Re-buys: The same tournaments mentioned above allow eliminated players to re-enter the tournament for later rounds. I suppose the wisdom of this depends on the individual's circumstances and proximity to tournaments, but: when is this a good move, and is there a formula for entry investments vs. potential prizes? Sentry
To be clear, reentries are generally just additional chances to play in round one. That is, round one is split into several times, and you're able to have multiple chances. In some events, there can be advantages to playing later, particularly if the event does not fill up. You may find that there are fewer players at the tables in the later rounds. Also, you'll usually be playing against some players that failed to advance in their first try so perhaps there is a slightly lower skill level, although this is a small effect at best. The trade-off, if you choose to make your initial entry into a later time for round one, is that you've reduced your own opportunities for reentry. If you don't plan to reenter anyway, you may as well register for a later play time just in case you get a table with fewer plays. As for deciding on reentering, it might reasonably depend on how far you travel to play events, and how the entry fees fit into your budget. Usually, the value is the same for subsequent entries. If it was a good deal to enter once, it's usually a good deal to reenter. If you lose several entries, your total fees can look unreasonable in hindsight. (Hmmm, I spent $100 in entry fees to enter a tournament where I could only win $500. An extreme example, but you see my point.) The thing to remember is, once you've lost a round, that entry fee is over and done with. You should make your decision on whether to reenter based on the value offered by a single additional entry fee. In other words, lost money is already lost.
One form of tourney you want to play in a later round #1 time slot, is the high chip leader types. Then you could better gauge a target score. But elimination/advance tourneys you want to give yourself a chance to re-enter, play in an earlier round. Once you are knocked out that first entry fee is history.
Good & Bad Sentry where are you located? Finding the best tournaments structure is based on where you live and how close the casino(s) are from you. If you’re down the street from the worst tournament your still probably better off then me. Example; I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the closest casinos are in Shreveport/Bossier City LA, (a 3 hour drive). At this time they're are only two casinos offering weekly BJ tournaments, Boomtown on Monday night, and Hollywood on Tuesday night. I do drive down about once every three months to play Hollywood's tournament the play was pretty weak when they first started. It is still nothing to see 4-5 players betting their $500 on the first hand in round one. With up to six more chances at re-buys they just shot it all out there. First two times I played I won back-to-back weeks, (more like they gave me the second one). The Boomtown just started two weeks ago and I haven’t gone down to play it doesn't appeal to me, it is more of a locals tournament. Sign-up starts at 8:00 P.M. and starts at 9:00 P.M. it is a first come first serve. $20 entry and only 42 players, only 2 rounds, 6 tables, 7 players per table, only one advances from each table, no re-buys, first place $500. If I was down in Bossier City I would play it (I love tournaments), but it is not worth a three-hour drive for one chance, not to me anyway. The Hollywood Casino: Tuesday night at 7:00 P.M. sign-up at 4:30 P.M. Pro's: a $20 entry, start with $500 no cash value chips, three rounds, seven sessions in the first round (plenty of reentry if wanted), twenty hands per round, weak players, and a first prize that has been up around $2,450 on a regular basis. Cons: 3 hour drive, seven players per table, deal doesn’t rotate (stuck dealing to first base first every time), no max. bet, and only one advances per table in first round. in semifinals (5 tables - 4 tables only one advances, 1 table - two advance). I am not crazy about either tournaments format, but they're the only BJ tournaments around. I have been trying to get Hollywood to host a $50-$100 entry once a month on Tuesday just to add a little spice to their tournament and rotate the deal, I can live with the no limit max.
Thanks for the responses! It is great to be able to get basic questions answered before committing to the investment of time, travel and cash to play in tournaments. TXtourplayer, I live two states east of you and am within in similar driving distance to the BC Hollywood tournament. Could you give me the player advancement structure for each round again? I didn't quite follow you. Also, with seven sessions in the first round, how late does this tournament run? I'd be driving home afterwards and want to get back before dawn! One more question- you said the deal does not rotate (and I'm assuming neither does the first to bet). Are seats assigned? Sentry
Hollywood tournament information Oneeyedjacks, I wish you could tip for seventh position...LOL, Senty, the dealt doesn't, but the betting does rotate. When they first started the dealing the tournaments none of the dealers had ever dealt tournament style, so to avoid any misdeals they only rotate the betting to avoid mistakes. Now for the rest of the Tournament format: $20 entry, Seven players per table, Five tables per session, one advances per table, 20 hands. Total 7 sessions in first round (A - G), this means you could have up to 7 tries at advancing to the semifinals (2nd round) at $20 X 7 = $140.00 several do it every week. In the semifinals seven players per table, five tables, on four of the tables only 1 advances to the finals and on one table - 2 players advance, just luck of the draw who gets on that table. One wild card is picked to go to the finals. Tournament goes until around 12:30 A.M., I would plan on spending the night.
