Tournament Prize Support

[Prospero]

So it has been talked about for a while, but it looks as though the day has finally come: running Lotus events has become so expensive that I don’t know that it’s worth it.  My cost on a Lotus is now anywhere between $900-$1,000, so please keep that in mind. 

I can still run a Lotus event, but the prize support for the rest of the top eight becomes far weaker.  So I wanted to ask the community for their opinion as to what they’d prefer if they were a competitor in the tournament.

Here’s prize support A, to be guaranteed at 54 entrants with an entrance fee of $30:

1st – Unlimited Black Lotus
2nd - $100 dealer credit
3rd/4th - $75 dealer credit
5th-8th - $25 dealer credit

There is more than one way to offer really solid prize support though.  So here’s a second option, that would be guaranteed at 54 entrants (with $30 as the entrance fee):

1st – Unlimited Mox Sapphire & Unlimited Mox Pearl
2nd – Unlimited Mox Ruby
3rd/4th – $75 credit
5th-8th - $30 credit

Is giving out three Moxen as prize support enough to supplant giving out a Lotus? 

The last option looks something like this (also at 54 entrants with $30 entry fees):

1st – Unlimited Mox Sapphire
2nd - $300 dealer credit
3rd/4th - $200 dealer credit
5th-8th - $75 dealer credit

Another question that had been kicked around lately is the viability of an eight man tournament that had a very high entrance fee (at least $40, probably $50) with a piece of good power going out to the winner (i.e. a Mox Jet.)  Would you play in something like that, or would the nature of the event (single elimination, a few bad draws and you’re out) outweigh the positives (potentially the easiest Mox you’ve ever won.) 

I’m going to come out of the gates with a bang in 2012, I’m planning something very big to kick off the year.  Still, I’d like to hear what the community thinks.

Thoughts?

[mikekilljoy]

I voted for the 2nd option, but either 2 or 3 I think is great.

I would be against the 8 man with high entrance fee option, knowing that not many people would want to pay that much, though I could be wrong.

[Womba]

I voted number 3. Playing for Power is still key IMO, even if its not a Lotus. I feel that less top heavy prize support would be more appealing to people.

As for the 8 man thing, I feel with the entry cost that high the majority of people would not be interested. I think you are better off making the prize other format staples, any where in range from a FOW or Dual up to a Library or even a Bazaar....

[Pokey]

I personally think all of those options are fine.  I voted for #3 though, because many local people I know that are interested in vintage, but don't normally play, are put off by the generally very top heavy prize structure of most vintage events.

That high roller side event thing doesn't seem like a good idea, but this is only my opinion.  Maybe others would enjoy it.

[Prospero]

I personally think all of those options are fine.  I voted for #3 though, because many local people I know that are interested in vintage, but don't normally play, are put off by the generally very top heavy prize structure of most vintage events.

That high roller side event thing doesn't seem like a good idea, but this is only my opinion.  Maybe others would enjoy it.

I've had four guys who approached me with the idea of a high down, high reward side event.

[Nefarias]

Yeah I mean as far as the high roller event goes, it doesn't really matter what the community at large thinks. Really all you need are 8 people that thinks it's a good idea to commit to it, and then it's just gravy. GenCon seems like an ideal venue for that. You shouldn't have much of a problem finding 8 people willing to throw down.

[Pokey]

I personally think all of those options are fine.  I voted for #3 though, because many local people I know that are interested in vintage, but don't normally play, are put off by the generally very top heavy prize structure of most vintage events.

That high roller side event thing doesn't seem like a good idea, but this is only my opinion.  Maybe others would enjoy it.

I've had four guys who approached me with the idea of a high down, high reward side event.

I see that I am already proven wrong then.  I was just incorrectly making broad assumptions, apparently.  More power to you then, if you make it happen.