National Team Championships

[Lloydian]

It isn't really a local tournament, but it occurs to me that I haven't set up anything for nationals. Then again, it just doesn't come around often enough yet to justify its own forum. But I digress.

I've had the pleasure of breaking my arm patting myself on the back for making nationals before, and I believe that most of the people who are signed up for this forum have either already been there or are going for this year's tournament. This message is intended for the people who have never been there before and, as yet, are not planning on attending.

The national tournament is an amazing sight to see. To walk into the convention center rooms with row after row of pool tables (I don't have an exact number but it should be in the 200 table range) is something you have to see to appreciate. And the best thing about it is that you don't have to be in the national tournament to take advantage. Around half of the tables set up for the period are for the Mini-Mania tournaments. These are mini-tournaments that start at a rate of 4-5 tournaments per hour every hour. The formats will include everyone. With the exception of the extremes in skill level (9-Ball 1/2 or 8/9 and 8-Ball 2), there are tournaments for each format and each individual skill level. Every tournament has at least 8 entrants and some grow to as large as 32. All feature 100% payout (they make money from the bar boxes you play on). The schedule for this year has not yet been posted, but when it is, you'll find it here.

So consider a mini-vacation, and make some money on the mini-mania tournaments. It's probably too late to get a good rate on a room at the Riviera, but if you drive up to Vegas, you can get a room cheap. Across the street at the Circus Circus, rooms are going for $26.20 per night (and if you buy three nights, get the 4th night free) while the Sahara is going for $25.35 per night. (Rates for the Riviera by night from the 19th to the 28th are: Th-$34, Fr-$59, Sa-$265, Su-$265, Mo-$99, Tu-$55, We-$55, Th-$39, Fr-$55)

Schedule yourself a vacation next month. And if you know me, give me a call, and we can meet at Roxy's Diner over at the Stratosphere for lunch.

[Lloydian]

A little update to the above post. First, the schedule is now up. Click here to download it.

Second, stays in Vegas are unusually cheap this year. I guess we can "thank" the economic problems in the country, but if you're looking for a cheap vacation, this is a good time. Notable Rates (Rates for for 8/18-8/28 with the rates shown being for Th, Fr, Sa, Su, Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr):

Sahara: 25, 49, 49, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 49
Circus Circus (Manor): 26, 59, 70, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 63
Circus Circus (Tower): 30, 63, 79, 33, 33, 33, 33, 33, 68
Stratosphere: 37, 75, 86, 33, 30, 30, 30, 30, 67
Hilton: 100, 90, 100, 46, 46, 46, 46, 46, 100
Riviera: 34, 59, 99, 265, 99, 55, 55, 39, 55

Rates found at Vegas.com

[tcousins]

I've heard so much about it now that I'm finally going this year! I should be there for 3 full days of mini-tournaments! Can't wait...