Important, yet often ignored strategy question

[shaniac]

In Dublin, they set it up to close tournament registration at least two hours before the event started. Then, they took all the names registered and randomly assigned them seats (I assume using a computer program). Our seat assignments were then posted on a screen.

This is by far the best way to ensure random seating, but it's not really practical unless there is a capped number of entrants.

I don't have an answer for OP, but I always try to buyin the night before the event or earlier.