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BGonline.org Forums
Eliminate entry fees to promote backgammon?
Posted By: Rich Munitz In Response To: Eliminate entry fees to promote backgammon? (Daniel Murphy)
Date: Thursday, 9 September 2010, at 6:55 a.m.
I personally have no issue with entry fees at tournaments. Granted, that might be because I stand a more decent chance than most of recovering those entry fees. But entry fees are not a prerequisite for my attendance at an event.
For the past two years, the largest tournament held within New York City has been the Mayor's Cup tournament (the NY Metro ABT event is actually held in New Jersey). It has filled a full bracket of 32 each time and people were turned away. This event has an entry fee that pays for food, drinks, the location, etc. but no cash prizes. People attend for the fun and the glory. The NYC Sports Commissioner shows up to award the trophy. However, it is a one-day event and nobody is getting on a plane and staying at a hotel.
That last point may be key. For local clubs, there are minimal travel expenses and they will attract more casual players. There is no doubt that many people looking for a fun evening out playing backgammon can be attracted if it is free or extremely low cost. But the kind of serious player that is willing to spend many hundreds of dollars in airfare and hotel is unlikely to be seriously deterred by a modest entry fee to fund cash prizes.
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