Here's my suggestion's...
Wildwood, like I have suggested, I would recommend multiple events but 2-3 many even 4 but over no longer that a 4 day period. If your intent is to draw players in from out of state, you need to give them a good reason and value for the travel. Also try and host the events over a weekend Fri.-Sun., even a Monday if held over a long hoiliday weekend.
I would go with the best possible rules, which would allow the players to use more strategy and eliminate as much of the luck factor as possible. Rules such as:
1. No more than 6 players per table, with two players advancing (minimum) from each table in each round. This allows for the lucky player who catches a hot streak to advance, but still gives a strategic player a chance to advance as well.
2. Have a lower maximum bet, no more than 1/3 of the starting bankroll. Most tournament players hate out playing the table the entire round only to lose on the last hand to some player who goes all in and hits a BJ.
3. Play more hands, 36 is a great number, each player would get the button 6 times (if they all stay till the end). This is useful for two reasons, (1) more hands played make the game more strategic and (2) it will allow more regular table play, which is what you want anyway.
4. Offer 3/2 BJ, Surrender, and Splits up to 3 times, DD after splits, except on Aces (only once), and insurance (no even money).
5. I would deal all DD up; this will avoid any misdeals, (on a down card that is exposed it is burnt).
6. I would start with a small amount of chips, I prefer $500, but no more than $1,000 and offer limits of $5 -$10 for minimum bets and $200 - $300 for maximum bets.
7. If possible offer daily satellite events for at least a month before you main event where your locals and not as big of players may win their seat into the main event for a smaller entry. This would add additional 30 or so players into the main event.
I would also offer a full day of satellites the day before the major events start, this will draw several players in a day earlier for a chance to win the cheaper entry fee.
Perhaps offer nighttime satellites tournaments before each main event. This will surely keep the players down in the casino, which is what you want.
8. Offer a fair prize amount to all! Don't just offer a top heavy 1st prize, that ends up being almost a winner take all event.
Don't chop the pot; ask the players if they want to chop the pot! Chances are they will, but it should be the player’s choice, not the casinos (for the main events anyway).
9. Keep the entry fees down as much as possible; the majority of players prefer the $300 to $500 entry fee range. It is high enough to make the trip worth it and not to high to out price them, plus you add in the all the additional satellites and other major events it starts to add up.
10. Allow the players time to play, don't tell them they only have 10 seconds. Give them about 20 - 30 seconds for all but the last 5 hands, than give them 45 seconds. They are playing for (hopefully) a lot of money and they don't want to be rushed.
11. Enforce the rules you set, don't set a starting time and then make an exception for one of your high rollers, call around for them to show up to their table. This makes players very upset.
Also be consistent with the rules, make sure any issue that may come up is handled the same way every time.
12. This is always a good thing, ADD MONEY TO THE PRIZE POOL! By adding an extra $10,000 - $25,000 to the prize pool will draw in lots of players.
From the “Field of Dreams”: “Built it and they will come”!
