Running a pool tournament can be fun, and profitable for both the players and you. However, it is important to be prepared and well-organized to run a tournament smoothly, one that goes without any glitch and finishes on time.
Game format
There are many pool games that you can choose from, like a 9-ball game, a 10-ball game, a 1-pocket game, and so on. Select one that the majority of people are familiar with. Remember that some game types can take a long time to finish. For instance, a 1-pocket tournament may run for a long time. So plan accordingly. Also, decide whether you want the tournament to be a single or a double elimination, round robin, modified single, long matches or short matches, and so on. Doing some research, and getting the opinion from different people may help you to decide.
Time management
If you are planning to run a national tournament, then plan well in advance, maybe a year in advance. If you are just planning for a local tournament, then 1 or 2 months will suffice. The most important thing is that you let the people know well in advance about your tournament. Advertise well, and advertise well in advance. Make sure to start the matches on time. Roll-out set rules for late players, let them know in advance that there will be penalties.
Location / Venue
Make sure that you select a venue that could accommodate a lot of spectators. The availability of food and drinks is also important. If you are holding a local tournament, you can hold it in a bar or in your pool room, as long as you make sure that there is plenty of food and drinks available. If your are holding a national tournament, then you may have to find a venue with ample seating facilities for spectators, like a stadium.
Payouts
You will be able to attract a lot of players if there is a handsome payout. No matter how you decide on the payout, it is vital that you make it transparent and crystal clear to the players so that there will be no unnecessary trouble at the end of the tournament.
Start with small tournaments. As you get a hang of the process, move on to bigger ones.
