Howdy guys, sorry for the delay in a response to the questions. I was just granted access to reply here on Thursday. I had a full plate last weekend, and didn't want to rush a makeshift response to the questions up here.
I'll try to cover everything in this post, but just AIM me, or reply up here if you still have any questions.
I haven't run a Type 1 (now vintage) tourney for about 8 years. I used to run Type 1, but I started to get maybe 5 people that would show up because I didn't allow proxy's and didn't even realize that other stores were running proxy tournaments until a few weeks ago. WOTC was starting the Pro Tours, and everyone down here got excited about that. WOTC pushed all the new stuff they were releasing, and really pushed Type 1 to the back burner. The crowd here wanted Type 2. WOTC wanted Type 2 & sealed. The rent was paid with Type 2 & sealed. So I had a decision to make. I ended up running everything for Type 2 & sealed. Five people showing up for a Type 1 tourney (because not everyone had all the power) just didn't work for me. Of course this all occured before the net was so powerful. The only way to hear about tournies back then were flyers or word of mouth. I used to play at SMK's big events, and Neutral Grounds $1000 tournies back in the day. I loved the format. I think it'll work out fine. I'm glad proxy's are widely accepted now because that was the problem with new players coming in. No one wanted to shell out big cake for power when they were just learning the game. Then they would just get trounced going against a real Type 1 deck.
I didn't even realize there was such a resurgence in Vintage. Chris Philbrook (kolrael) had been badgering me all year to run a Vintage tourney, but I always figured he was off his rocker. I was doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago (yeah I know, it's winter already), and Chris saw the foil welder & bunch of dual lands and said "dude, just run a Vintage tourney. You've got good enough prizes right here". I was like...yeah right. Chris said the foil welder was fine for a 1st prize. I had no idea about the value of a foil welder (yes I'm a store owner, but foils to me have always been worth 1.5-2 times a regular version). Chris guessed the value of the welder at around $85. I'm still like...yeah right. I talked to Corey Canfield (Diaonic) and he said "heh, I just bought one for $100". I was shocked.
Chris and I figured out a prize for the top 4. I didn't know what to charge. Chris & Corey & Ben McPherson laid it out like this. If I charged $10 I would get more people, but may not even cover the price of the prizes. If I charged $15 then I'd get less people, but if I hit 12-15 then at least I would cover the prizes instead of taking a loss. Also, Corey pointed out that if I started my entries at $10, and Vintage took off, and I upgraded the prizes for future events, then $10 entries would not cover the prizes in the future and people would be complaining about the increase in entries.
I only expected 12-15 people tops, and that's only because Chris said "hey, I have 15 friends that will come". I took that with a grain of salt because I believe Chris would have said anything to get me to run a Vintage tourney.
I announced to my Saturday Type 2 crowd that I'd be having this tourney, and was surprised that a handful of them were excited about it. They were psyched about the 10 proxy's. Actually, I think they're just happy about being able to put 4 Skullclamps in their Ravager decks. :lol:
Since this post went up 2 weeks ago, I now believe there may end up being more than 12-15 people. I researched the price of foil welders on completed auctions on eBay and saw that yes some sold as low as the mid $20's, but they were beat up cards. The one that went for $46 was also scuffed up. Stokinger just sold a playset up there for $250. Star City Games has them listed at $75, but they're out of stock. I figure the welder is worth about $65 so I've changed the "base" prize package.
I ran this prize structure by Chris, Derek Carrier, and Zherbus and they thought it was fine. This is how it'll work out:
If 15 or less players: 1st Foil Welder + 2 blue dual lands.
2nd Same as before - chose 3 from Volcanic Isle, Trop Isle, Underground Sea, Bayou, Scrubland.
3rd Same as before - 1 of the remaining 2 duals.
4th Same as before - remaining dual.
I added the 2 blue duals to the foil welder for first. I'm not sure which 2 (I'm at home right now enjoying my day off :-/ and don't have my cards on hand).
If 16 or more players show up:Every entry after the first 15 players, I'll add $10 credit to the prize pool that can be spent on anything here (supplies, singles, packs, dice, sleeves, candy, soda or whatever). I'd rather do credit than give say "3 packs of Kamigawa added per entry". Packs are generally lame, and I imagine even more so for vintage players. Also, I'd rather stretch it out to a top 8 prize. So if 17 peeps enter, then I'll keep the same top 4 prize, but 5th-8th get $5 credit each. If 18 $7.50 ea. If 19 $10 ea. Then the next 3-4 entries would add credit to the top 4 once 5th-8th got up to $10 credit each already.
I've always believed stretching prizes out to top 8 finishers keeps alot more people happy, and the more happy people you have the better your chances for having a successful event in the future. Granted, some people would rather travel further for a big 1st place prize, and don't care about smaller packages, but I think this structure is better overall if I want Vintage to succeed in my store.
As far as food. I have snacks/sodas, but if you want to bring food into the store, or order a pizza, or from the 99, or walk to Walmart (right next to us), or go to Starbuck's cafe (next door at Barnes and Nobles) then I have no problem with that. It's all good. I have plenty of room. There are (6) 8' tables, and (3) 6' tables. Plus I have (2) more tables to break out for emergencies. I held Type 2 States here a few weeks ago and sat 70, so i doubt space will be an issue.
My Vintage stock is not stellar by any means. Right now it's more "filler" stuff, not power. That'll change over time, but takes time. Bear with me. Also, I'm just reacclimating myself to Vintage, so I won't know every rule off the top of my head, but Chris, Corey, Ben, and Derek will be here so if a tough rule comes up I'll lean on them. It's just a matter of time before I catch up. I'm usually a quick study in Magicland anyway.
Lastly...this part of my post sucks, but needs to be addressed.
TJ-Whoopy (or Tyler if you prefer), I didn't really understand your hostility towards me. As a business man first, and magic player second, I've always treated everyone in my store with the respect a customer deserves. The only people who should have a problem with me "personally" from an experience at my store are those that got booted for selling cards to other people, or went off on someone using profanity, or thieves that got caught. I do not deserve those comments because I've always put customers first in my store.
I was scratching my head trying to figure out if maybe I smashed you in a past tourney (outside my store) and you held a silly grudge, but that seemed unlikely.
Then I thought, maybe you're one of those people that got sick of me getting all that coverage from WOTC in the past. Now that, I can understand!!
Finally in one of your later posts it all became clear. You slandered my name and my store because you have friends that run the store right down the road from me.
Dude, if that truly is the reason for your slanderous remarks, then that's pretty weak. I couldn't care less about another store being open near me, and I send people looking for comics over to their shop all the time since I don't do comics anymore. If I was a jerk about it, I wouldn't even tell people about their store.
Your comments were very hostile, and if your sole purpose to coming to my store Dec 5th is just to complain alot, are just to annoy me, or slander my store all day long, then save yourself the trip because you'll just be shown to the door. I'm not going to engage you in verbal banter on these message boards anymore. Your remarks warranted a response was all.
Zherbus had said he had a problem with the patrons here. I was trying to figure out who he may have been referring to. Five to six years ago there used to be quite a few Pro Tour players that played down here regularly. Maybe he came here then I thought. Alot of them did have very pompous attitudes because they thought they were great I agree, but I've never let players down here verbally abuse anyone in my tournaments, and if anyone ever had a problem with someone I would hope they would bring it to my attention so I can deal with that person.
I chatted with Zherbus last week about this and found out who the 2 players were that he had a problem with that day. I couldn't even disagee with his assessment of them. One was a jackass that made it onto the tour one time, and he had a total attitude when Zherbus beat him in a match. That person sold all of his cards 3 years ago, and stopped playing. He started coming down a year ago just to draft usually once a month on Wednesday nights, and he even agrees himself that he's an @sshole. He's fine now since he's a casual playa, and he only drafts once a month now anyway.
The other guy Zherbus encountered was some psycho dad that used to come down. The guy was actually harmless, and played down here with his 2 kids, but for someone meeting him for the first time he appeared to be quite odd & loud & intense. He hasn't played here for 3 years (thankfully), but I hear you can find him at the other store down the road now.
Sorry for the long shpeel guys. I just wanted to cover every base, and (as I stated above) just contact me with any questions you may have, or just post it up here, and I'll gladly answer it.
Hammer
