Tbt
The Tournament Blackjack Players Association (TBJPA) I started is to try and get a set of national rules and format for blackjack tournaments all around the country.
If we ever want to compete with poker we need to get organized. Just look at TX Hold'em, no matter where you play anywhere in the world the rules are the same, the format may be a little different (starting bankroll), but over all they are the same everywhere.
Now that is not to say that other BJ formats are no good or not fun to play, remember poker doesn't just offer TX Hold'em they have other formats as well.
I am also trying to start a TBJPA sanctioned Tournament Blackjack Tour (TBT) that offers the best possible rules and format for strategic tournament BJ play.
The "Luck Factor" will always be there, but if we can take out as much luck as possible and add more of a skill factor I believe we will start drawing in bigger amounts of players. After all who wants to spend lots of money on travel and entries on a coin toss.
I think players will be more willing to spend money if they feel they have more control over the out come. Also the TBT will lower the top prize and also pay out through the top 18 players, which will allow more players to come out ahead in each tournament.
Now having said all the above, without making the TBT "Risk-Free" for the casinos (adding a 10% casino fee the first year) I don't see us ever getting any casinos giving us a chance to play. We need our foot in the door to prove we do have the following to make these tournaments work. If we show them we will support these events maybe more "OPEN" tournaments will start popping up for all of us.
Now I am working on get additional discounts as well to help off set this fee. We will also have a TBJPA monthly due, but only for the monthly events you play in, however we will take off $50 from the championship tournament for each monthly event you play in. So you'll actually be gaining $10 per event over all, it will just be given back latter in the year.
Now don't expect to play the big mega-resorts once I get the TBT going, several of the host properties I have been talking too are a good hour to hour and half away from the nearest airport, but at least they are willing to work with the players and allow us "OPEN" events using our rules and TBJPA format.
I am hoping for a $15,000 to $20,000 monthly 1st prize each month starting out and over $400,000 championship prize pool, with the top 36 players cashing in.
My goal is to have everyone in the finals cashing in at least $10,000 (that would be for 6th place). And everyone in the quarterfinals cashing in around $1,000 each.
Now if anyone else has a better idea to try and get this type of a tour going that will offer lower entries and open to all players please let me know.
I will tell you that I have 7 locations now and hoping to add the remaining properties ASAP.
If all goes well we will be hosting TBT events from east coast to the west coast, mid-west, north, south, and anywhere else they give of a chance to play our TBJPA format BJ tournaments.
I do have one airline offering 5% discounts and a car rental company that is offering 10% discounts for the TBJPA and hopefully I'll be getting more discounts for the players along the way. The host properties are offering casino rates as well with the chance to get comp-ed out with side action.
Note the reason I selected to travel all around is to give every player an equal opportunity to play without paying cross-country travel expenses. Also it is my hope to pick up lots of new players who are experiencing tournament BJ for the first time.
Now before I start getting slammed, this is just my opinion, and about 850 other players that I have surveyed over the passed 8 years about what they want and like in tournament BJ play, it is not to say some of you may prefer other types of formats and different rules. Remember all I am trying to do is give you another option, not take away your options.
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