Forums Home / Tournaments and Challenges / 2013 Houston City Airhockey Championships (
View Older Thread |
View Newer Thread)
First |
1 |
Last
| brain
- 12 Dec 2012
Total Posts: 578
|
| I am pleased to announce that UNAP will host the 2013 Houston City Open Airhockey Championships Jan 26-27 at SRO Sports Bar and Cafe in Houston, Texas. Details of the event will be posted in the coming days. Stay tuned...
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 14 Dec 2012
Total Posts: 578
|
ANNOUNCEMENT
It's a brand new year for airhockey, 2013, and what an exciting year it will be. Already we have new promoters in Kim Wenskay and Cory Dzbinski reviving the long past California State event, but for the first time in Southern California in the San Diego region. Billy Stubbs has hinted that an Illinois state may be in the works for April. Moreover, we await word on the Valley-Dynamo sponsored event in Las Vegas in the June time frame. And then there is UNAP.
As you all know, the annual July Houston event that we organize is no small potatoes. We go all out to make it as grand an event as an airhockey World Championship should be. And to do that takes money. Each of the last 4 years, we have been fortunate to have "pocket" sponsors starting with the very generous Jason Stevens back in 2009 to kick off this Annual Houston series. Coming into 2013, we have no "pocket" sponsors. We are working on acquiring sponsorship and hope to raise enough money to continue to increase the quality of our event product. However, we do need a minimal amount of capital to ensure that we can maintain at least the status quo, and we are in a brutal economy when companies are holding onto their money very tightly.
That said, an idea emerged. Back in early November, recognizing our dilemma, we started discussing the possibility of a "fund raising" event. We would hold a local event, charge an equal entry fee in exchange for providing a fine major tournament and let the competition be the reward. (and some trophies too.) And thus will be the 2013 Houston City Open. All participants will pay a $35 flat rate, and for that they can participate in the Singles, second chance handicap event on Sunday, and any other special events we may add later. No quarters are needed. All of the proceeds (less our expenses) will go towards the fund for the 2013 Houston World Championships. We will be selling other items such as T-shirts and mallets to give you some needed airhockey accessories and help raise the needed capital.
The 2012 Tournament of Champions (TOC) will take place on Friday evening, Jan 25. Technically this is a separate event because it will have a separate entry fee and will award prizes and only allows participants who have earned qualification. But because current 3-time World Champion Billy Stubbs won the GoalGrinder 500 Challenge at the World Championships earlier this year earning him qualification for the 2012 TOC, we wanted to bundle the events so he could manage the travel and have an opportunity to compete in both if he so chose.
Continued...
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 14 Dec 2012
Total Posts: 578
|
Continued from previous Post:
On that note, I have to offer 2 apologies. The first is to Cory and Kim. This event is close in schedule to their event (CA state). We were actually thinking originally of February (week after Super Bowl) for this event, but they announced theirs while we were developing ours, so February was out. March is too late, as we need to have our base capital secured soon so we can start working on the 2013 World Championships. That left January.
I approached SRO management to discuss which weekends in January were available. If the Houston Texans were not a probable top 2 seed in the NFL playoffs, any weekend would have worked. But as they are, any Sunday when the Texans play, SRO is packed wall to wall fans (and actually turning people away), and airhockey is not an option. Of course the Texans could lose, but with in scheduling a major airhockey event, we just can't risk it scheduling an event with an unknown of this degree. The only weekend available at SRO with zero risk is Jan 26-27, when there is no NFL football.
To any out of town players who have the budget to travel to only one event in the early part of the year, we urge you to choose the CA state. We have plenty of players in Houston to fill our event. Kim and Cory will depend heavily upon travelling players. If you are not a Houstonian and can only afford to travel to one event in the early part of the year, please support the CA state. My son and I are hoping the make the trip. They are working hard, and we need more promoters in this sport, so please please please make the trip if you can.
As for my second apology - Mark Nizzi and Billy Stubbs. Mark was trying to schedule a challenge match with Billy that same weekend and was irritated with me that we wanted to schedule this event on that very weekend. If I could have chosen another weekend, I would have. But, as explained above, this is our ONLY option. And if we do not do this event, our streak of Houston International Events could end at 4.
We have a team of players all available and eager to continue, and we never know how long that will be the case. And because a challenge match only requires the two players plus 2-3 officials and 1 table scheduling one can be more flexible. So, given the circumstances, I made the decision, and that decision had a negative impact on two great airhockey elites. I am sincerely sorry and meant no disrespect. If I could have chosen the previous weekend, I would have.
However, Billy is a great competitor and true champion. I have no doubt that he'll offer up many other alternative dates and give Mark his deserved opportunity. Mark is a great master of the sport and one of the greatest match players of all time. We'd all like to watch that match and see if he can capture Billy's bouny!
Thanks and event details will follow.
Brian D Accrocco
CEO, United Airhockey Promotions LLC
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 14 Dec 2012
Total Posts: 578
|
Here are the details:
LOCATION
SRO Sports Bar and Cafe
9800 Hempstead Rd
444 Northwest Mall
Houston, TX 77092
713.683.5025
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Fri - 8 pm to midnight: Tournament of Champions / Registration for Singles
Sat - 9 am to 11:00 am: Late Registration
Sat - 11 am to 9 pm: Swiss tournament 6 rounds
Sat - 9 pm to 10 pm: Swiss Tie Breaker Round
Sun - 11:30 am to 8 pm: Playoffs
Sun - 1 pm to 6 pm: Second Chance Handicap Tournament
Sun - 8 pm to 9 pm: Presentation of Awards
Sun - 9 pm: Events Concludes
ENTRY FEES:
TOC: Fee is $10 per qualified entrant
All other events: $35 per player (gains entry to all events except TOC!)
AWARDS:
TOC - Champion only trophy for the Champion of Champions plus cash payouts for top 4
SINGLES - Trophies for top finishers (number dependent on # total registrants)
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 02 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
We have made the decision to run the Main Singles event in a Swiss format. If we have more than 32 players, the matches will be best 3 of 5. We will cap the number of rounds at 6, so if we have more than 64 players it is possible to have more than 1 undefeated player. That's fine. I am crunching numbers to determine how we will handle tie breakers as far as who advances and what format we will do. A single elim playoff with longer sets sounds appealing as recommended by Tim Weissman. I'd actually be more inclined to go best 7 games of 13 if we do single elim. Top 16 qualify.
Either way, we will have some 6-0, and 5-1 players who will be in for sure. With 64 players for instance, we would have 1 6-0 and 6 5-1 players (7 total) all of whom would make it. But then we'd have 15 players with a 4-2 record. To me, to say the top 9 of the 15 ( need 9 to make 16 total) get to go on based solely on strength of record, something that nobody has any control over doesn't seem fair. I'd be more inclined to have those players have a tie break playoff to earn the 9 spots. I need to discuss with my team.
Whether we do single or double elim on Sunday has yet to be decided. Will get back with final decision once we have discussed.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 14 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
PLAYOFFS FORMAT:
The playoffs will be standard double-elimination best 4 of 7. And we will do spinoffs. We will allow 13-16 and 9-12 spinoffs to decide if they prefer 3 of 5 or 4 of 7, as some players may want to watch the bigger matches, and some may want to play bigger matches. 7/8 and 5/6 spinoffs will be best 4 of 7.
Player finishing 6-0 or 5-1 will automatically advance to the playoffs and will be seeded based on their Swiss final ranking. Players finishing 4-2 will all advance if the number of spots available exceeds the number of players with a 4-2 record. Based on projections that is mathematically impossible. We expect to have more 4-2's than remaining spots for the top 16. Therefore, rather than go by Swiss rankings which is based on strength of opponents, there will be a tie breaker round where all of the players with a 4-2 record will compete for the remaining spots not reserved by the 5-1 and 6-0 players. The format/procedure of this tie breaker round is still being developed and will be explained in the near future.
REGISTRATION:
Registration will end at 11:00 Saturday morning. You are not registered until you have paid. The Saturday Swiss event will be 6 rounds, and it will take about 12 hours to complete based on expected numbers and tables and best 3 of 5 match length. So for in town players, if you know that you are playing, please come and register at the weekly this Friday. If we have to process 40+ registrations Saturday morning, then set up the tournament, then draft the matches and publish them, it will significantly delay the start. Help us to help run this in a timely fashion by registering in advance.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Fri - 8 pm to midnight: Tournament of Champions / Registration for Singles
Sat - 9 am to 11:00 am: Late Registration
Sat - 11 am to 9 pm: Swiss tournament 6 rounds
Sat - 9 pm to 10 pm: Swiss Tie Breaker Round
Sun - 11:30 am to 8 pm: Playoffs
Sun - 1 pm to 6 pm: Second Chance Handicap Tournament
Sun - 8 pm to 9 pm: Presentation of Awards
Sun - 9 pm: Events Concludes
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 14 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
USAA RANKINGS
If approved by the USAA, the final rankings of the event will represent the official Houston City Rankings.
As there are no spinoffs for a Swiss event to determine exact finish, with the exception of the top 16 who will play spinoffs, all players not qualifying for the playoffs will be ranked based on the calculated ordering of the Swiss Tournament Program.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 20 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
| We have figured out how the tie breakers will be handled. I will post details tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 20 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
TIE BREAKER PROCEDURE
Swiss uses record, then Strength of Opponents' Records (SOPR) as its method for ranking players. In the event that Swiss completes and 2 or more players are tied with same record and SOPR, we will calculate game differential (games won - games lost). If that is still a tie, we will use Point Differential. This is how we will determine final Swiss ranking.
When the 6 rounds of Swiss complete, all players with a ranking of 6-0 and 5-1 will automatically advance to the playoffs and be seeded based on final Swiss ranking (record and SOPR), game differential, and point differential.
Scenario 1: Perfect Math
If the number of players with a 4-2 record equals the number of seeds not filled by players with a 6-0/5-1 record, then all 4-2 players automatically advance and are seeded the same as 6-0/5-1 players.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 20 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
TIE BREAKER PROCEDURE (continued)
Scenario 2: Too Many 4-2s
After filling seeds with 5-1 and 6-0 players, if there are more players with a 4-2 record than available seeds, a tie breaker round will occur. The mathematics of a Swiss tournament between 33 and 64 players dictate that the number of players with a 4-2 record will be >=10 and <=15. A table will be used to manage the scenario based on number of players. In short this is how it works:
A. For 10, 12, and 14 players:
- All players will be divided into 2 equal groups of 5, 6, or 7 respectively.
- Groups will be formed using final Swiss ranking with Game/Point differential to break ties.
- Groups are formed using a "snake" methodology where player 1 goes into group 1, players 2 and 3 go into group 2, players 4 and 5 to group 1, etc. until all players have been distributed.
- Each Group plays a round robin where each player plays every other player in the group 1 match.
- Matches are 2 games in length. If a player wins both games, he/she is awarded 3 points. If the 2 players each win a game, both players earn 1 point.
- When the round robin is completed, all players are ranked in their groups based on number of points, If 2 players are tied, head to head determines the first tie breaker and points scored the second.
- The table will be used to determine how many advance. The same number advance from each group. So for instance in a group of 10, if 4 advance, the top 2 from each group advance.
- In the event that a wildcard is needed (5 players from 10 advance so top 2 from each group plus 1 wildcard), then the next best player by # points earned in the tie breaker round advances. If the next 2 bets players from each group are tied in points, a single game sudden death tie breaker determines the tie.
- Original Swiss finishes for those that advance are used to seed those players in the playoffs.
B. For 15 players:
- Same procedure as with 10, 12, and 14 except there are 3 groups formed
- When 1 wildcard is needed and 2 players are tied, they play a single sudden death game.
- When 1 or 2 wildcards are needed and there is a possible 3 way tie for points from all 3 groups, all three players play a 3-way round robin single game. The best 2 of the 3 advance. If the players are still tied after 1 round, they continue to play additional rounds until the tie is broken.
C. For 11 or 13 players:
- A single group is formed.
- A round robin is played and every player plays every other player 1 game.
- A player is awarded 1 point for a win and 0 for a loss.
- When the round robin is completed, all players are ranked by points. Players who are tied are ranked by head to head and then points scored as the tie breakers.
- The desired number of players who are needed are selected.
- Original Swiss finishes for those that advance are used to seed those players in the playoffs.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 20 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
TIE BREAKER PROCEDURE (continued)
Scenario 3: Not Enough 4-2s
In the event that there are not enough players with a 4-2 record to fill the remaining spots for the top 16, then the same procedure described above for the 4-3 will be used, and all players with a record of 3-3 will participate.
- If 1 player is all that is needed and the group size is 10, 12, or 14, then the 2 groups winners will play a best 2 games of 3 sudden death round to determine who gets the spot.
- If 1 or 2 players are needed for a group of 15, then the 3 group's winners will play a 3-way round robin single game match sudden death playoff to determine who get the spot(s).
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 25 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
I spoke with some players who had concerns about the intensity of amount of play to occur and were concerned about being able to play TOC and Swiss and maybe tie breaker and then being able to have the juice to play in the Playoffs. The main concern was about how it would be perceived if you played in Swiss and then wanted to opt out of playoffs due to fatigue. Understandable. Nobody wants to be labeled a coward. But it is a lot of airhockey, and we ain't all spring chickens.
So to help those with this same concern, here are 4 policies that I hope help.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 25 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
HCO OPT OUT POST SWISS POLICY:
Any player, after completing the Swiss portion of the tournament who would either qualify for the playoffs or the tie breaker round may choose, for any reason whatsoever, to withdraw immediately from further competition. No harm no foul. If you have made the playoffs without the tie breaker, you can formally withdraw. If you do, that spot will be awarded to the tie breaker round contestants. If you are in the tie breaker group and do not wish to compete in the tie breaker, you may opt out and the group size will be reduced by 1 and then follow the methodology for the group size as previously indicated.
Please note that once you officially "opt out", the decision cannot be reversed.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 25 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
HCO OPT OUT PRE-PLAYOFF POLICY:
If on Sunday morning you awaken and decide for whatever reason you be it a conflict with another activity or body is too sore to risk injury by competing (no reason need be given), you may choose to opt out. The procedure will be as follows:
1) Contact Brian Accrocco by the official deadline of 10:30 am central time and either inform me or leave a voice mail with your intent to withdraw from the playoffs.
2) If you left me a voice mail (in church form 9-10 and cannot answer phone), I will return your call to confirm. If I cannot reach you, I will leave a message confirming and await the 10:30 deadline. Once you have communicated your decision to withdraw, it cannot be reversed under any circumstances.
3) At 10:30, and withdraws will be filled by alternates from the tie breaker round. When the tie breaker round completes, those qualifying will identified. Those who did not will be ordered by tie breaker finish as alternates. For each person that has withdrawn, I will contact the highest available alternate by phone.
4) If I cannot reach the first alternate within 15 minutes of initial contact, I will go to the next in the list and so on until I achieve formal acceptance. If you are a top 1-2 alternates, I advise you have you phone handy around 10:30 am.
5) Once all playoff entrants are finalized, the chart will be filled and no changes will occur from that point forward.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 25 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
HCO WITHDRAW IN PROGRESS POLICY:
If you know you have an activity on Sunday but not until later, then you can play as long as you'd like and then leave and forfeit you matches. That is perfectly fine. However, I ask that:
1) If this is your circumstance, please communicate with me about the conflict. We may be able to prioritize your matches earlier and get you maximum matches.
2) If you are approaching your deadline and have a match coming up, out of courtesy for your opponent consider forfeiting prior to the match. Many people feel it is rude to beat a player and then leave immediately giving the forfeit to the next player, especially if it is an elimination match.
3) If you are doing well and decide to change your mind and cancel your other activity and remain, let me know immediately.
4) If you activity would require you to leave before 1:00, please consider opting out, as this would only allow you 1 match in all likelihood, and it would more courteous to the event and other players to allow the spot to be awarded to another player who is available for more play.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 25 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
HCO PLAYOFF SPINOFF POLICY:
There will be spinoffs for the Playoffs. Some players prefer not to play in spinoff usually either because of fatigue or a desire to watch other matches. You can choose to not play in spinoffs, no harm no foul. USAA rules say withdraw from a tournament result in forfeiture of prizes. As we are not awarding cash prizes, you have none to lose. Here are some guidelines for spinoffs:
1) Default length for 9-12 and 13-16 spinoffs are 4 of 7. If all 4 players agree to shorten matches to best 3 of 5 unanimously, then management will comply. If any 1 player in the group does not agree, they remain 4 of 7.
2) If you choose not to participate in the spinoffs, you will fall to the bottom of the final results for that group. If more than 1 player opts out, then they will be ranked in the group at the bottom in order of seeding in the spinoff bracket.
3) If only 2 players in the 9-12 and 13-16 decide to compete, a single best 4 of 7 match will occur.
4) Both 5/6 and 7/8 spinoff matches will be best 4 of 7.
5) Trophies are awarded for the top 8 finishers from the playoffs. Withdraw for the 5/6 or 7/8 spinoff will not result in loss of trophy.
|
|
|
|
| brain
- 28 Jan 2013
Total Posts: 578
|
OFFICIAL RESULTS
1) Billy Stubbs
2) Danny Hynes
3) Pete Lippincott
4) Colin Cummings
5) Andrew Flanagan
6) Mike Cummings
7) Brian Accrocco
8) Donovan Brown
9) Jacob Weissman
10) Peter Cheung
11) Travis Luscombe
12) Brian Quezada
13) Justin Flores
14) Lazaro Garcia
15) Alex Ortiz
16) Chris Green
17) Phil Arnold
18) Syed Rahman
19) Ben Hayman
20) Anthony Munez
21) Johnny Rivera
22) Frank Perez
23) Niki Flanagan
24) Justin Williams
25) Steven Accrocco
26) Evan Siegworth
27) Ed Baldwin
28) AJ Ortiz
29) Ismael Pena
30) Sarah Weissman
31) Austin Baldwin
32) Jeorgia Rodriguez
33) Chris Aston (Winner of 2nd chance handicap tournament)
34) Paige Baldwin
35) Melony Baldwin
36) Austin Fernandes
37) Adrian Ortiz
38) Allen Cheung
|
First |
1 |
Last
Forums Home / Tournaments and Challenges / 2013 Houston City Airhockey Championships
|
|
