Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

Last night I played in a tourney that was publicized as being a $20 buy-in + an optional $20 add-on. In addition, if you had used your add-on and busted out before the end of the first hour, you could buy back into the tourney with another $20 buy-in (not another add-on). The attraction to me was that 100% of the buy-in money was supposed to go to the prize pool (the house kept 100% of the add-on money).

We started with 6 10-handed tables. Not every seat was taken, but there had to have been at least 51 players, making a minimum prize pool of $1020.

The payouts were eventually announced as $60, $75, $90, either $120 or $125 (I forget which), $200 and $417.50. A total of either $962.50 or $967.50. Clearly, something's wrong somewhere.

I'm going there today to talk to the TD about this. I cashed, so I have more than an academic interest in this. Maybe he'll argue that they opened the 6th table cause it just looked like they were going to have more than 50 players, but ended up with less than 50. How many? 48? 49? Maybe. But how can the prize pool be anything other than a multiple of $20? I should've asked last night when the payouts were announced, but I was too focused on playing at the time. It didn't hit me until I was driving home.

This took place at a small Seminole casino in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Florida. I know, I know. Don't laugh. I should know better.

Other than talking to the TD, do you think I have any other recourse now that the tourney is history? I'm guessing not.

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

You should have spoke up right away. I don't think they will do anything about it now.

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

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You should have spoke up right away. I don't think they will do anything about it now.

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You're probably right. I'm hoping that by speaking up now, they will at least get it right in the future. They run this tourney once a week. Next week, I'm counting heads at the start of the tourney. If the payouts don't add up right, I'll speak up right away.

This was the first live tourney I played. I've been avoiding them like the plague because of the ri-donk-ulous 25-35% juice the Seminoles charge for most of their tourneys. A cheap, juice-free tourney seemed like a perfect way to get my feet wet. Cheap lesson learned. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

I would definitely say something, but be careful not to come off as angry or accusatory, as that will send up defenses. I'd approach it by simply asking them what the payout is like, what's the vig, etc. Don't even mention you played in it until after you get an answer.

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I would definitely say something, but be careful not to come off as angry or accusatory, as that will send up defenses. I'd approach it by simply asking them what the payout is like, what's the vig, etc. Don't even mention you played in it until after you get an answer.

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Sage advice. Thanks.

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

Frankly, I'd be more upset with them keeping ALL of the add-on money than shorting the prize pool by ~$60 that you're not even sure happened.

GD monopolies.

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

Definitely something doesn't add up. Prize pool, according to what you say, should be $20xY, no lose change. Sure there is no "non-monetary prize", ie something valued at $22.50? Or a $1.50 fee per entry?

I would ask and make sure.

Re: Tourney Prize Pool SHORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Terrible structure. Why even bother to enter if you know the add on goes to the house?

NEGATIVE EV ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Frankly, I'd be more upset with them keeping ALL of the add-on money than shorting the prize pool by ~$60 that you're not even sure happened.

GD monopolies.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFT

Re: Tourney Prize Pool Shorted -- Any Recourse?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Definitely something doesn't add up. Prize pool, according to what you say, should be $20xY, no lose change. Sure there is no "non-monetary prize", ie something valued at $22.50? Or a $1.50 fee per entry?

I would ask and make sure.

[/ QUOTE ]

The tournament is listed on their schedule as follows:

"$20 buy-in/$20 optional add-on (100% of buy-in goes to the prize pool)"

Now, maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I asked a floorman before I bought my ticket if that meant the house takes nothing out of the original $20. He answered in the affirmative. I then asked how much of the $20 add-on goes into the prize pool. He answered, "none. The house keeps it all."

Maybe they take a small % out of the "prize pool" for dealer tokes, then calculate the payoffs! I would be uber-pissed if that's the case because we're not told of anything like that, and I tipped the dealer after I was paid. I just assumed that the prize pool = total amount paid out. Maybe I'm just naive.

I will be sure to ask about this while I'm there. Doesn't look like it will be today though.