We love the fact that people get together and share great times by organizing shuffleboard tournaments. We thought we would share some of the best idea’s we have heard about so that others can liven up their tournaments and increase the turnout.
Separate the pro’s from the regular Joe’s:
Its more fun when the competition is even. For this reason we always find the best tournaments let teams choose their level of competition. Granted there may be a sand bagger in the group that wants to crush the competition in the amateur section. If they win then from that point forward they should be entered into the pro competition. This also allows beginner’s to get their feet wet and play a bit longer. They may even have a lucky night and get a W. The other thing that you can do is have better prizes for the pro series to give the better players incentive to play in the more competitive group.
Double elimination:
If you are a little low on participants we always suggest doing a double elimination to give each team a chance to play a few games. This ensures that the tournament lasts long enough for your contestants to get a few pitchers and spend a little money on food even if they are not very competitive.
Prizes and rewards:
We like seeing a tournament be competitive and offer great prizes and rewards for all contestants. However of course the winner should get something extra for the talent and prowess they have displayed. Food and Drink specials for all contestants are very common and make it worth it for customers to be involved even if they are terrible at the game. We see prizes that include gift certificates, clothing, cash prizes, concert tickets and free passes to local events. These can often be donated by local businesses in return for promoting their business in partnership with the shuffleboard tournament. Another great Idea is to get a plaque or trophy to immortalize your winner.
Get a Scoreboard:
You need a scoreboard to track each contestant and who is in the lead. Dry erase scoreboards can be ordered with custom logo’s that will represent your establishment for years to come.
Promote it!
Getting people out for this is as easy as connecting with your customer. Facebook and social media connections are a great way to do this and are an easy way to advertise. Also utilize mailing lists and be sure to let all past contestants know about the dates. A $5 entry fee will help take care of any costs associated with advertising costs and getting people in the door.
Tournament size tables:
22 foot shuffleboard tables are the official size of tournament shuffleboard tables. If you can’t fit a full 22 footer in your place we always recommend going with the biggest size that will fit while keeping 3 feet on each side for the players. The longer the table the more challenging. In our opinion the more challenging the game is the more fun it becomes for each player.
Ref’s:
Referee’s can be useful to make sure that the sand is even and there is no confusion with local rules. This also ensures that the competition stays friendly and that the tournament continues with a fun environment.
Come back for more tips and advice on making your shuffleboard tournament a true success for years to come.