Happy 2009 everyone!

When I made my directorial debut over Labor Day weekend last year, I decided I couldn't wait a whole year to do it again. So with your input, and hopefully enough interest, that can become a reality.

After the smashing success we witnessed at Ira Freehof's high stakes tournament last summer, I thought it was time we had a sequel, don't you? Even though I already have this event approved by the NSA, I'm willing to make any changes to the format that may need a little tweaking, since there will only be 20 players (no more, no less) to accommodate. If I don't have 20 players committed (including myself) by the end of March, the event won't happen. Hopefully there are still enough of us with a few extra hundred dollars to throw around.

The format is as follows.

OCEAN AVENUE SHOWDOWN

May 1-3, 2009

Fri 8:00 PM: Rounds 1-3
Sat 9:00 AM: Sign-in, etc.
    9:30 AM: Rounds 4-7
    1:00 PM: Lunch (provided)
    2:00 PM: Rounds 8-11/Semi-finals rounds 1 & 2
Sun 9:30 AM: Rounds 12-15/finals rounds 1-4
    1:00 PM: Lunch (provided)
    2:00 PM: Finals round 5 (if necessary)

Format: This will be the same format as the Big Apple Showdown. Two groups of ten play a snake-paired round robin. The winner of group 1 plays the 2nd place finisher in group 2 in a best of 3, as does the winner of group 2 vs. the 2nd place finisher in group 1. Finalists will only be determined before Sunday if both semi final matches end in 2 games. The losers of the semi-finals play the rest of the field for 3rd-5th place prizes.

Entry fee: $500

TENTATIVE prize list

1st $5000
2nd $2000 (the two finalists will win the top two prizes regardless of overall record)
3rd $1000
4th $750
5th $500

Venue: Joey Mallick's house: 7 Ocean Ave, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107. If you play your cards, er, tiles right, I can show you the ocean during a session break, assuming we have an abnormally pleasant day for early May in Maine. It's only about a five minute walk from my house, which is one reason I've spent the last 18+ years here.

Checks can be made out to address above.

Phone: 207-767-5101
e-mail: jmallick@maine.rr.com (preferred to phone calls)

P.S. Apologies for having this conflict with the Oregon Tile. I definitely considered this potential problem when choosing dates, but looking at last year's entry list, I don't expect many, if any, to come here instead of Oregon. Plenty of money will be won that weekend!

If you're interested, and/or have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment, or e-mail me.