The ABC's of tournament hosting

[ranmaru]

Also, about making sign up sheets. Not too hard, but there could be things we forget. I know that we simply need money from the tourny goer, and what event they would want. I also remembered sign up sheets asking if I have a crew or something.

Need advice on things like that.

 

[sakuraZaKi]

What's a good time period to host a tournament?

Morning? Noon? Evening?

 

[ranmaru]

Noon. But open early so people can get free matches in, and warm ups. Also noon for people coming from out of state. :3

Btw I used the ABC's of Tourny hosting for my tournament. Most of em. Like I waited till 2 pm to start, and did pools, and we finished by 10 Pm. :3

 

[Seraphiel]

Am I touching on some unspoken grey area when I ask to discuss profit?

Surely no decent tourney participant can fault an Organizer for a small compensation for time and effort. While making money should never come off as the focus for the event, there is time spent scouting, planning, organizing and running the event, not to mention clean up. There is a considerable amount of stress added to the fun that can be had.
Granted the networking and status building ops are invaluable, but these tournaments seem to be an important catalyst in building and augmenting the Smash community and incentivizing these efforts seems like a necessary evil.

It would then be up to the community to keep greed in check; perhaps even suggested percentage caps. It has become clear from reading the posts that producing a quality tournament takes much time and effort even just once. Asking someone to take on this responsibilty for a monthly or weekly commitment would occur more often I should think, although it would be great if we could all quit work and school to take up this role.

Food sales and sponsorship are great alternatives in the event this is truly and universally frowned upon. I would love to look into hosting and producing bigger tournaments but would need the activity to be a viable use of so much time. Also if there is a thread discussing other income producing avenues I would love to discuss.
I am at a point in my life where I am more than willing to attempt to combine that which I should do and that which I love to do.

Also in regards to legality:

"Are video game tournaments for money legal?
In 37 states it is. The difference between online casino and poker sites is simple. The states deam video games a test of skill, not luck, as they unfortunately consider the online casinos. So, basically you can play Call of Duty for some money, but not Texas Hold ‘em."
-videogamemoney.net

 

[ranmaru]

I haven't ever pocketed money. The only time I took venue fee was for tv's. My friend Vorosh took care of that, and we got three tv's now.

I don't do this for money, and I don't expect to gain money. I only want smashers to have something to come to, and have fun. (and test themselves)

Some say that you might generate some extra revenue if you get more people than you thought you would, meaning more venue fees being paid. I guess you can keep the extra like you said. But that is about it.

I don't THINK you should expect to get paid yourself. The only pay you can expect is extra venue fee. That's it I think. And the food sales and sponsorships. Even those I don't think should entirely go to you, but to the community somehow.

I don't know what your point is though. What you say is true. It is hard work. But think of it more as voluteer work. How about you try opening a Lan center, and maybe you can hold tournies while already having a job? : D

 

[KrIsP!]

I don't see grabbing a percentage of unused venue fees as an issue so long as the venue fee isn't larger than10$ for the sake of pocketing money.

I'd love to look at how people can pocket money from tourneys could affect the community because, while this means smaller pots(barely since it's not cutting into the pot, just not adding onto it out of the goodness of one's heart), but in the long run it could make these tournaments look profitable which could lead to more sponsors and bigger, better tournament series.

I think the best way is to find a good percent(I say 10) and take this out of unused venue fees, as well as a 10% tax on vendors at larger tourneys, and one could always sell food, drinks and raffle/auction.

This doesn't have to ruin the scene, I've seen cases of water go for about 2$ per case, so if a tourney host were to buy a bunch and sell them at 25-50 cents each, he can profit and it's still better than getting water anywhere else. Also, is paying 11$ instead of 10$ for a piece of artwork from someone in the community in order to support the tourney organizers who are obviously doing a lot of work, really so bad? As the pot is not touched this can lead to good things IMO.

 

[Sol9000]

...

What if I'm hosting a Tournament Online? With no Entry fee or such?

 

[ranmaru]

? Then there isn't a venue fee to charge. : D

 

[Seraphiel]

Thanks for the replies; all opinions are greatly appreciated.

It does sound grimy when you use the word 'pocketing'. I want to be clear my particular intention is in no way to take money from those that work hard to develop their skills and deserve the pot.
Some of us are self-reliant, independent, and hard working and it with the cost of gas, supplies, software, and all the things you would expect from a good tourney, there would be far more people 'volunteering', I am guessing, if some of these costs could be alleviated.

Nearly all of what would be gained would be immediately reinvested into the community and growing the tournaments, in my case anyway, and I can't imagine that would be such a bad thing.
It does seem like a case of semantics though. If I ask a friend at the local art institute to reserve the community room for a day during a break, which will cost nothing, and charge a $5 venue fee and $5 entrants' fee, it would then be ok to take half of the pot? Assuming the fee is used to procure refreshments, buy power strips, tvs, and other venue related things does this make it ok, or should I be charging $10 for participation, dividing that up between the winners, and paying for everything out of pocket myself? I am open to discussion and will still try to put on the best tournaments I possibly can even if it does cost me much time and money.

I guess in anycase it depends on all people of the community to determine how it grows and behaves. I dream big though.

 

[ranmaru]

My bad, maybe 'kept' would have been better. Really, keeping some of the money isn't bad GENEREALLY. It would be bad or ok depending on the situation. Yes, people would deff volunteer if there were more 'incentives' to volunteering. I'm sure Apex did have some! Which was awesome. But, the community is grass-roots. Basically, we have to support ourselves. We can't really take that much away from tournies because it's important to make the smash community grow, and without as much funds, it would stifle the community. We don't have that much monetary support under us.

In your second paragraph, I do not know how it can be reinvested. How would we be able to re-gain money to reinvest back into the community? We'd either have to have another tourny, which would mean more of the same people and then some, paying yet again to somehow regenerate the 'reinvestment funds'. Ok now the second half. Err? Half of the pot? Ok, I think taking the venue fee for the 're-investment' part, like getting tv's or better/needed equipment, is fine with a room that costs nothing.

But if you also take that, and then HALF of the pot that people only paid $5 with, I think is a no no. Keep in mind venue fee doesn't go towards the pot ever. It goes towards whatever the venue needs. Most likely, paying for the cost of renting the room. So if it's free, and you charge $5 and alot of people come, sure you CAN take that, and invest in things that will help the tourny scene grow. I did the same, like I said above. I charged $3 venue to get three tv's. I don't think you should ever take money from the pot. That kind of ruins the point of having a tournament. You cheapen the reward for the player that comes out on top, and most likely the player won't feel as if they deserved that little. (Since winning a tournament can be VERY hard work) Again, venue fee is fine, if you just use it to reinvest back somehow. (Unless it's like a smashfest, and you charge $2 or $5 for entry, that's fine. ) Or just extra venue fee that was inevetable. Do what you want with it, just choose wisely. BUT NEVER THE POT. :3

NOW.... I think you shouldn't do that at your first tourny if you can rent for free. Why? Because I think you need to establish trust first. We want to know if you will really keep your word and reinvest back into the community.

 

[Rubyiris]

Tournaments are best hosted morning, around 9-10. Get there early, around 8 for freeplay.

Take a note from competitive tcgs.

 

[KrIsP!]

No, the pot should NEVER be touched. If your going to charge 5$ venue fee for a free venue I'm fine with that...it;s less than the usual price and if you were to use it to help save up for say, a projector, that would be awesome. It could all be used to make bigger, better tourneys like I said. Get more TVs, get a recording set up, get a good laptop for making brackets and such. But, again, the pot should never be touched. I'd rather someone find new interesting ways to make money, obviously a big group of people with a common interest is a great place to sell something, start with that.

 

[Seraphiel]

Understood.

By reinvesting I do mean increasing advertising, equipment, and growing the tournament which would in turn increase the pot size. If it helps to clearly define the pot as the entirety of the amount collected from all entrants solely for participation then I am happy to do so but I want to be clear I value taking care of the talented winners as well as all entrants.

This knowledge and advice will go far.

 

[Wobbles]

I think it's silly that for the most part, people want TOs to receive nothing for their efforts.

Even though at the end of the day, they are creating all potential opportunities for players to make money, they work harder than everybody, they must spend time organizing large events BEFOREHAND...

If there's a good degree of transparency involved in the financial process, then I don't care if a TO wants to be compensated for spending so much time to create a fun event for a large group of people. A lot of whom show little to no appreciation to the TO, funnily enough, despite the fact that hosting tournaments is a horrendously stressful undertaking, exponentially proportional to the size of the event.

I have no problem, from any standpoint, if a TO charges a huge venue fee... provided he makes it clear what portion of the dosh is going towards what. After that it's the player's choice whether he is willing to slap down X dollars just to be allowed in the building, and if he doesn't want to give $27 out of $30 to xXTOURNAMENTHOST420Xx so he can have the privilege of playing inside a cardboard box, he doesn't have to.

 

[Seraphiel]

If there's a good degree of transparency involved in the financial process, then I don't care if a TO wants to be compensated for spending so much time to create a fun event for a large group of people.

Very well said.

If talented brawlers have to sit around waiting for someone to volunteer their time, money, and energy...the scene would ultimately suffer. Creating a profession and market for tournament organization encourages consistent activity, competitive growth, and more importantly, market fariness.

 

[SCC_Cone]

Excellently made thread, I had run 7 tournaments before this, and now I'm looking to make the 8th one even better with some of these tips.

 

[SCC_Cone]

Wow that guide was not only extremely helpful but also extremely awesome. You're so good with your ABC's! But I was wondering one thing you didn't mention... how should I NAME my tournament?

Just find inspiration, like how artists do. My first Melee tournament I hosted was in March, so in celebration of college tournaments and brackets, I named in Melee Madness. Unfortunately, it got rescheduled to May, but that's besides the point. Make sure the name gets across that it is a tournament, and location never hurt anybody in the title.

 

[BladeOFLucas]

Just found this thread, and I'm looking to start a tournament at my church. Only problem is, we have a bunch of rooms that could only hold 1-4 games a-piece, so I'm not sure how many people can participate without it getting overcrowded. Also, is it bad tournament etiquette to take some of the pot money to go to directly to the church, and if it's okay to do so, how much should be taken?

One more question, should we provide food to be bought? Or should we just assume that they will go and get food at nearby fast-food places? If so, should we provide them with maps to get there? Is there anything else of this nature that I should know? More than one more question, but oh well.

 

[Chukkaque]

I found this to be extremely helpful! Ill be referencing it going forward. I am hosting a local tournament at the end of June!

 

[SphericalCrusher]

Nice writeup! I'm actually hosting a big tournament next weekend. Thankfully I already knew everything in this, but always good to see it in other places.

 

[Dkgod]

You fuqin ***** y'all suck at melee. Check me out at fuq.com

 

[Mattatari]

Awesome tips man. Thanks! :D

 

[Phantomarchangel]

I plan on trying to host tournaments soon and I found this thread very helpful and enlightening. Thanks a ton! xD

 

[JHamron]

Can someone make a similar guide, describing the differences between running a local tourney and an online tourney well? I have fears that half the people that sign up for my tourney aren't at all committed to it.

 

[enflikted]

Excellent guide for new(and even experienced) TOs, and applicable to more than just Smash!

 

[Xaseera]

OMG! This post was made just for me and thank you so much for putting forth the effort to compile such great information!

 

[firedude953]

This a very good and helpful guide, good job! Though there is two things I would improve about this guide.
1. Instead of using VCRs to record gameplay, I think using capture cards like the Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket is better because they record in higher definition and they record to a computer, or (in the case of the rocket) a USB Drive.
2. X could be: Xenicaly choose your assistants. Assistants who are interested in smash will probably play more of a part.
Well, thats my two cents.
P.S: Definition of Xenic: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xenic

 

[ssgoofball]

Nice putting a tourney together for next week will use this

 

[AblazedApple]

Oh man. This'll definitely help me out since I'm starting to run my own tournaments now. I'll be sure to look deep into seeding and bracket theory especially!

 

[PHP]

I can easily organize a tournament, the only problem is the lack of TV's and Wll Us

 

[AblazedApple]

I can easily organize a tournament, the only problem is the lack of TV's and Wll Us

Believe me when I say, getting those kinds of set ups are EXPENSIVE. My personal advice is to find a group of friends who all have Wii U's and TV's and ask them to provide the set ups. That way, you can already confirm a set number of Wii U set ups for your venue.

 

[PHP]

Believe me when I say, getting those kinds of set ups are EXPENSIVE. My personal advice is to find a group of friends who all have Wii U's and TV's and ask them to provide the set ups. That way, you can already confirm a set number of Wii U set ups for your venue.

If I were to do that we'd have a Wll U XD