Thoughts for the coming year ...

Just thought I'd begin the discussion on the next year of Dirty River Poker. This year we saw the average attendance nearly double and with a slight increase in the number of tournaments along with a few higher buy-ins, we will be able to send people to a total of 6 or more HPT qualifiers, 4 more local tournament seats, + a $2,500 tournament of the player's choice. But as always, I look for ways to improve upon a good thing. Following are some of the major factors I like to consider when scheduling tournaments for the coming year.

1) The amount of time that needs to be put in to make a legitimate effort. Obviously there are some who make every tournament, some that make most, some that make half, etc. The goal with the various buy-ins, doubleheaders, etc. is to allow players to pick and choose if need be what tournaments they feel they must play to compete, but also allow those who want and are able to play more often the opportunity.

2) Amount of money that would be spent throughout the year: Either on a monthly basis or in a single tournament. We try not to push the envelope too far for those who may not have the means to do so. Especially those with families.

3) Give everybody something to continually play for. Being such a long year, there always needs to be something to keep people's interest. Thus the bigger tournaments towards the end, so everybody still (even those who hadn't played a single tournament) has a chance to compete for the prizes. This year we had a 5-week bonus for (2) HPT seats. Next year the plan will be to do at least as much.

4) Times of tournaments. Most are on Sunday to work around most people's schedules, although there are some on Saturday for various reasons. Obviously the goal is to not alienate anybody from not being able to play any particular tournament and we make every effort to give plentyl of advanced notice of intended dates.

Now some of the thoughts that could be considered for changes for the coming year.

1) More tournaments - either more 2 a days (both NLHE or otherwise), possible 2nd chance tournaments (a tournament half or less the original tournament buy-in beginning at a specific time after the first tournament has begun), possible smaller buy-in weekday tournaments, more frequent (every 2 weeks, 3 weeks at most) weekend tournaments

2) Higher buy-in tournaments - More $60 total, more $80 total, with or without the same number of $40 tournaments

3) Flatten the prize structure of the final tournament. Now that everybody knows what we are playing for, I think it's possible to just put a percentage to the year-end prize instead of a set amount.

4) Increase the number of HPT seats given out throughout the year. 1 or 2 seats for every 5 or so tournaments played. This gives everybody the opportunity to play for something no matter where they may sit in the overall point standings.

5) Adding a set amount to the year-end pool to play. $20 to the playoff and $40 to the Championship. This adds an extra $1,000 to the prizepool - however distributed.

6) Expanding the year-end tournament to more participants. 18 or even 20 is a possibility without changing much. Should it be linked to average attendance? The average amount per participant in the Championship prizepool?

I'm sure there are other ideas that others would have, but I am just looking to start the discussion in time for next year.