TLA prize fund question

[mlanger]

Looks like you are on a great path! Say hi to Alex Betanelli for me if you see him.

Michael Langer

[Allen]

@anjiaoshi

The enduring counterexample of the BCC shows it not to be a very good litmus test. What it’s really a test of, if anything, is how low the organizer’s overhead is, and/or how much of a financial cushion he has with which to endure the hit and keep his bold promises if turnout is disappointing.

I mean, given the circumstances of my club, I can confidently promise that at least 60 percent of all entry fees will be returned as prizes. But 60 percent sounds pathetic. So I promise 75 percent – the lowest number that allows us to save face – but this means we typically lose $20 or $30 on each tournament, and that’s without the TD collecting a dime. We’re small, and even the relatively modest $50 site fee kicks our butt. It would be so much nicer to be able to do what the BCC does and say, “Prizes based on entries.” Then, in a typical 22-player open tournament with $10 entry fees ($6 for our club members), we could give out a $60 first prize, a $35 second prize and a $20 third prize, send our players home happy and break even on the day, without having to announce to anyone that the total prize fund was just 65 percent of entry fees collected.

Now, maybe your eyes are bugging out at our $10 entry fee, but this ain’t Boston. There isn’t a lot of money in circulation where I live. We have to take that into account.

Go Pretzels!!

[KeithAmmann]

They went!

[ESchlich]

At the Hampton Roads Chess Club http://mysite.verizon.net/eschlich/hrcc11.html I run a club championship twice a year. No TLA but the club website only lists: G/65 4SS Club Spring Championship 4SS EF: $15 Cash and Trophy prizes.

After getting the trophy costs - 1 for all and one for the under ratings, I give in prizes all but about $15-30 for club expenses + the calculated rating fee. The prize break for the lower rating is determined based on the entries. I try for a reasonable rating point for about 50% of entries. As you can see, this is a very ad-hoc setup. No one has yet to complain. The events tends to be the biggest draw for the year. Yes, the rating break can be subjective and based on my perceptions. Sometimes I have a break point of something like U1625 just to include a player who deserves a chance to win.

Regards, Ernie