Prize Support?

[Hobbiton Lad]

I'm wondering what kind of prize support I should offer tournament players as incentive to get them back out playing again:

- Cash Tournaments?
- Foils?
- Packs?
- Promos?

Or maybe all of the above?

[ket_the_jet]

I'd play for cash!

The two events I held used promos, rares, and foils from my own collection. I just said, "Winner picks three, everyone else picks one" or something like that.
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

All of the above.

[Hobbiton Lad]

I think semi-regular cash tournaments could be a really strong draw. Charge like 5-10 dollars for entry and then pay out a number of spots proportional to the number of entrants.

[chompers]

It really depends on who is playing:

Existing players might like cash, new players that need cards might be more interested in packs, players looking to expand collections might like single cards. Make a judgement on the players that you get to your tournaments, but a combination of all might be good.

I have never played at a cash prize tournament, and it might not be the best idea for drawing new players as it will make people all the more competitive. Over-the-top competition might drive new players away. Just my 2 cents.

[Jerba]

Personally I'm not a fan of cash tournaments. Younger players (I don't know if there are many of them left) have a problem with it since their parents may see it as gambling. Also, when cash is on the line I've seen tempers and cheating increase, a lot. Personally when I play its all about packs and foils. Rares work too I suppose. But unless it is a HUGE tournament, 20+ people, I'd stay away from cash.

[Smeagollum]

Well cash would certainly attrack old/new player (back) into the game. I think that players who remained playing like us not realy care about prizesupport, but it's still fun to get something. Those players like to get a card which is not in their collection.

[ket_the_jet]

since their parents may see it as gambling

How would that be different than the $100 dollar prize at the Elementary School Talent Show or the $25 gift card for Applebee's for winning the spelling bee?
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

It's not school related. 

[ket_the_jet]

Okay then. Free pizza dinner for Little League Champions.
-wtk

[Jerba]

Ket, your point is perfectly logical and I agree. However, when parents see people playing cards for money... they pause. It seems familiar to them, and they are not sure they want their kids doing it. I've seen people get concerned about.

[legolas3333]

at the tournament I'm doing I'll probably use some high-end rares that i have extra of: hate, double shot and the like.

[sharkey]

Ket, your point is perfectly logical and I agree. However, when parents see people playing cards for money... they pause. It seems familiar to them, and they are not sure they want their kids doing it. I've seen people get concerned about.

I second this. There is not a real logical reason for it, it just an irrational fear that clicks and makes parents say no.

[Kenddrick]

- Cash
A good idea, but as compared to the rest of the ideas this one seems to carry the most risk of cheating. Nothing beats the draw of cold hard cash, so be careful on this one.

- Foils
Foils may look very attractive, but unless the foils you are offering is really a "prize", I might suggest that you stick to other prizes instead. Common foils are attractive, but not THAT attractive.

- Packs
Ah packs, the fail-safe prize support. I have been to other card games events, and I daresay nothing beats the feeling of getting packs at the end of it. Everyone gets the same prize, it's just how many the winner/loser gets.

- Promos
An seemingly good prize, but it tends to demoralise the players who might see their decks as not up to standard. Usually at a tournament there's always newbies, and for them to see a stunning promo they know they are not gonna get will just demoralise them.


I've weighed up the options, and I feel that for GENERAL EVENTS packs provide the best prize support. Every one gets some packs (at least one or two), while the champions get a couple more.

For certain events like a REUNION OF PAST LOTR TCG PROS, promos for the winners would be the best option, while foils (common and uncommon) could be given to the guys who didn't make it to top 3.

I don't agree with using cash as a prize for a couple of reasons. People tend to cheat/lose their temper more, and it kinds of make people play for cash, rather than the experience of playing with and winning LOTR TCG cards.