Topic: Running a tournament

[shannonbar]

I manage a bar in Hoboken, New Jersey.  We just got a foosball table in and I'm looking to hold weekly tournaments.  Does anyone have any suggestions or tips?

[JimWaterman]

from...  http://www.foosball.com/content.php?page=69

Running a "successful" foos tournament is more like an art than a science. I've been running various sizes and types of foosball promotions for about 10 years... our leagues are always evolving and changing, likewise with our tournaments, points races, and larger events.

For the smaller bar tournament.... some things to consider....

- number of players
- amount of time
- skill level of players, some good, some bad, all about the same?
- goal of the tournament! bragging rights, make money, grow the player base, promote the sport
Things to decide....

- Event... regular singles, goalie war, bring partner doubles, draw partner doubles (open draw, rated draw, split bracket draw)

- Format.... Single elim, Double elim, 1 game to 5, 1 game to 7, Best 2 out of 3 games to five points, Best 3 out of 5 games to five points.... Match play...i.e. 2 out of 3 sets of 2outof3 games.

- Prize money... 100% payback, House/Bar kicking in more $$$, Guaranteed

advertised payouts (hopefully that may increase of promoter makes more money than expected - good promoters will eat the loss if there is any)

Your first bar tournament.... better than 8 players.... hopefully an even number.... try an Open DYP.... Double elimination (let me know if you need a chart)... each match consists of best 2 out of 3 games.... each game is to 5 points... a coin toss decides who gets choice of 1st drop.. or side of table... team losing the toss gets remaining choice. Run it as a 100% payback... pay top 2 or 3 places.... 70%, 30%....for 1st and 2nd... or 60%, 30%, 10% for top 3.... or 50%, 30%, 20%.... whatever feels right!

Run a few... then look back at how things are going.... what was the goal of the tournament - always try to keep that in the back of your mind!.... Make adjustments to try to put things back in line, or switch things around to keep things "fresh"...

My goal as a promoter is mostly... to build the player base, and promote the sport... (but don't run events so one sided that the better players get frustrated)

Are you running out of time?........Try single elim, or 1 game to 7 in losers bracket

Same guy or 2 winning every week? try a rated dyp, spot points to newbies

Real beginners never win? give beginners free/reduced entry

Stale tournament? keep it fresh, switch events, kickin some extra

No new players?  do player clinics...   do "free play" practice nights

Have Fun!.... JimW

Drop me an e-mail if you want to share specific "information" about your venue or needs.   jim@foosball.com

[JimWaterman]

With only 1 table in your location.... a "King of the Hill" type promotion that starts at a set time and finishes at a set time might work for you.

The challenge being that if you get a good turnout, and run a 'typical' foos tournament (doulbe eliminitation bracket type event) there isn't a whole lot of time in one eventing to run an event on a single table.    This often makes it difficult to keep players coming back.

Most social foos settings, 1-table bar locations have "open play".... and "take challengers".... whoever has quarters up next on the game get's the next match.

Using this common setting, you can ADD a little competition to the same setting... and not overburden yourself with running more structured events until things take off and you get a 2nd table perhaps.


Okay... so advertise... King of the Hill promotion from 9pm-Midnight on a certain night.
Social Play Setting, Winners keep the tables, challengers queue up to play the winners.
Every game won between 9pm and midnight, a point is recorded for each player on the winning team!
At Midnight.. the person with the most points win's King of the Hill for the night and get's all bragging rights!
Prizes can be very flexible.
Format can be very flexible (winning team can dictate "game" format - be it singles, doubles, goalie-war, forward shootout, 1-handed singles, etc... or you can dictate that it's a "Doubles" king of the hill format if you so choose as tournament promoter).

Keep it flexible and keep it fun!   That'll help you get your player base growing!

[RedRazor]

Very Nice... Thank You    That took some time and thought to type up.

[shannonbar]

Thanks for the advice!  I really appreciate it.  I will let you know how my first tournament goes.

[shannonbar]

I am looking to run a 4 - 6 week torunament with the winners from each week competing in a tournament of champions.  We will have prizes for the winning team each week provided by our sponsors.  It sounds like a King of the Hill tournament would be best to start creating a buzz for the sport and our table.  After we create a large demand, we can run weekly DYP tournaments with single elimination to speed up the process.  Does it sound like I'm taking your advice in the right direction?

[Jackie]

I used to play league in S.D., I had a hard time at first, I think a beginners league would be a really good idea. I live in Aurora Mo. and the word "Foosball" seems to be foren. I have been thinking the same here, hardly anyone plays, I would really like to get one started, Foosball ROCKS!!!

[Chase Pennell]

Netfoos.com has a cool internet based program that helps with brackets and is a cool site.....it may help...I run a local tournament in Athens ohio.... it runs pretty good...people catch on quick and help out...it can be a great thing for a normaly slow tuesday...

Chase