All teams will play on Barbox tables. Our objective is to structure this tournament to prepare all teams for the TAP Nationals since that is what you are playing for and the Nationals are played on Barbox tables. Due to the newest handicap adjustments by Corporate with different handicaps for different table sizes we want to give all teams the fairest possible chance to compete in higher level tournament play, and therefore are changing the Titleholders format to the following:
***All 9ft. Table Divisions will play against each other at their 9ft. table ratings on Barbox Tables. All Barbox and 8ft. Table Divisions will play against each other on Barbox tables at their respective ratings. This will give each division maximum opportunity to earn a qualifying spot in the AZ State Masters. (See AZ State Masters for additional tournament modifications).
We are fully aware of the conflict that this may create; however, we believe this is the “Fairest” approach. No matter what we do, someone will not agree with the decision so we are doing what is in the best interests of “ALL” players as a whole. If you have any questions please contact Robert for further explanation or if you would like to present & discuss an idea you believe is better. We are open to suggestions.
a) This tournament will be Double Elimination
b) Minimum match requirement with your team during the regular session is (6) matches prior to the playoffs in order to play in the Titleholders.
c) Handicap ratings from the rosters after scoring week 15’s play at the end of the session will be used. It is the Captains responsibility to plan ahead to insure eligibility of all your players.
d) This tournament will be divided into two different weekends, depending on location availability. To determine when your division will play, see the Calendar of events.
e) All teams should be able to compete on an (8) team board. Each (8) team board, would consist of two 1st Place, two 2nd Place, two 3rd Place and two Wild Card teams providing equal team participation. Two teams from each (8) team board will advance to the Phoenix Masters.
f) If the exact team roster from the same Division qualifies more than once throughout the year, they can play in the Titleholders to eliminate competition, reduce the number of Masters Teams participating in the Masters or for additional experience and practice in higher level play.
g) A team would also need to play if they won a previous Titleholders and a player on that roster did not have their (6) matches played during that winning session, or the team qualifies with a different team roster than their original qualifying team’s roster from the same Division.
h) If a team wins a more than one Titleholders with the same team roster, they can only bring one team to the Masters. In order to bring multiple teams, they must have qualified a separate team from a different Division. This requires playing multiple nights with the same team roster. Switching Divisions with the same team does not constitute a different Division or separate team.
i) The Wild Card Team. Since this team is drawn by chance, the alternate W.C. team will be given the “Titleholders” slot if the W.C. Team chooses not to participate.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION OPTIONS
a) If there is a tie for 3rd Place, all 3rd Place teams will be given a spot in the Titleholders.
b) If a player has qualified on two different teams from two separate Divisions, those teams will be guaranteed spots on two separate boards whenever possible. The common player(s) have earned those multiple spots and should not have to choose between the teams. This guarantee does not apply to the any second chance tournaments. Captains are responsible for notifying the League Office of any common player issues. No adjustments will be made to the Board at the event if the League office was not given prior notification.
c) If a team wins the Titleholders they can split into 2 different teams and maintain their qualification for both teams providing both teams have three to four original members respectfully at a minimum. This means, that only teams with 7-8 players will be eligible to exercise this option. Only (2) additional players will be allowed to qualify with the team and must play at least one complete session and/or the “Spring” session with the team to establish qualification and a minimum of (6) matches with the team in the Spring session, plus (6) matches in the Summer Session on the same team. All other match requirements apply. League office approval is required and will be determined on a case by case basis. This option will only be considered if the team has exceeded the 25 Rule with their 5 lowest rated players and roster selection is severely handicapped as a result.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE “AZ STATE MASTERS” – WINNERS OF THE “TITLEHOLDERS” EVENT
All teams will play on Barbox tables. Our objective is to structure this tournament to prepare all teams for the TAP Nationals since that is what you are playing for and the Nationals are played on Barbox tables. The 2010 AZ State Masters will be held over two weekends this year on Saturday & Sunday
Teams who have qualified for the AZ State Masters will compete in a Round Robin Format. During this segment of the event, 9ft. Table Divisions will be grouped together and Barbox/8ft. Table Divisions will be in different groups. Since Barbox Ratings will be used at Nationals, and this is the event that determines National teams, ALL players must compete at their Barbox rating, if they have one. If you have a Barbox rating in the system that is reflected in your stats History, even though you no longer play on a Barbox you must play at this rating. We will make this determination based on “ANY” Barbox scores still remaining in your history. It will be the responsibility of the “Team Captain” to contact Peggy and review your teams handicaps prior to the Masters event so there are no surprises. Absolutely NO verifications will be done at the event. If a Captain was not aware of this stipulation, that means they did not bother the read the Addendums. If a Captain did not bother, they are not doing their job as a Captain, so as a player reading this, we suggest you bring it to your Captains attention as a safeguard against missing it. Thanks.
The top 16 Teams from the Round Robin, (both groups combined), will advance to the Championship Board. This means that those teams that make this Board are the BEST in your table size bracket. The remaining teams will go to the Second Chance Board. Both boards will be Single Elimination.
If your team makes it to the Championship Board, you are automatically qualified to attend the 2010 TAP Nationals. The amount of money you win to cover your expenses will be determined how well you do. The Final 4 Teams on the Second Chance Board will also qualify for the 2010 TAP Nationals. Since the event will be held in Las Vegas for 2010 & 2011, we want to give as many teams as possible the opportunity to experience a National event.
In addition to the cash paybacks, travel vouchers will be given from any additional money remaining over and above the cash payback to cover the cost of Hotel and entry fees into the TAP Nationals. This voucher cannot be redeemed for cash – it must be used to defray hotel & entry fee costs at the TAP National event. Phoenix TAP will pay these costs for you with the value of the voucher once you have committed to go by showing proof of airline ticket purchases. Vouchers will be offered to the top teams in the order in which they finish. If that team chooses to keep the cash winnings and not attend the National event, the voucher will be offered to the next placing team. This process will continue until all vouchers are accepted. If any vouchers are remaining, that money will roll over into the following year’s National players fund. All Teams that get into the cash qualify for the TAP Nationals. We believe this format is the most fair, respecting the concerns of all players from all divisions. If you have any questions please contact Robert for further explanation or if you would like to present & discuss an idea you believe is better,we are open to suggestions.
a. A team must play in the Masters with the same roster that won Titleholders. Team Captain’sare solely responsible for letting the league office know if any qualified player is playing on a different team (2) weeks prior to the Master’s event or player conflicts of ANY kind for verification purposes. Absolutely no roster verifications will be made at the AZ State Masters event. NO EXCEPTIONS!
b. In order to maintain a team’s qualification to play in the Masters, they must play together as a team at least two out of the three sessions each year and players must have (6) matches with the same team in the Spring Session and (6) matches with any team in the Summer session prior to the T.A.P. Nationals to maintain qualification because the Summer session will be completed prior to the T.A.P. Nationals. Qualified players must also have a minimum of 3 matches played at the time of the Masters if they are NOT planning to attend the TAP Nationals should the team earn a National spot. If your team is planning to attend the TAP Nationals, all players must have a minimum of 6 matches played by the end of the Summer session. Players, who do not get 6 matches in, will lose their eligibility to play in the TAP Nationals. Don’t take chances. Get your matches in prior to the Masters because this event occurs around the 12th-13th week of the Summer session. NO EXCEPTIONS can be granted.
Note: If a situation arises whereby a player(s) from your team is unable to play with the qualified team in the Spring session, but is able to play with another TAP team during the Spring Session they may be able to maintain their qualification with your team under specific circumstances. Special circumstances may be considered however, league office approval is required to ensure eligibility and will be decided on a case by case basis. Requests must be submitted in writing by the team Captain for consideration.
c. Qualified teams cannot start the Summer session and quit before completing the session. This would constitute disqualification from the T.A.P. Nationals. All players must be active members at the time of the National event.
d. Teams that join the league in the Spring Session will be exempt from playing two sessions but must meet all other match requirements for their players including (6) matches in the Summer Session.
e. Phoenix TAP has put several programs in place to generate add'l money for the Players National Travel Fund to raise add'l money for cash paybacks and travel vouchers.
f. Any new players added to the team after winning the Titleholders are not qualified to play in the “Phoenix Masters.” No substitutions are allowed.
g. The team rosters for the Masters will be from no later than two weeks prior to the Masters event to maintain consistency and fairness for all competing teams. All rosters will be verified by the league office prior to the event.
h. If a player has qualified on two different teams from two separate Divisions, those teams will be guaranteed spots on two separate Round Robin boards when possible. The common player(s) has earned those multiple spots and should not have to choose between the teams. For the Single Elimination Board after the Round Robin, teams with multiple players will not have to play each other in the first round, but no other guarantees can be given since we are using the NCAA seeding charts for team distribution on this Board. No guarantees can be given for the Second Chance Board.
i. Phoenix TAP reserves the right to take away a team’s National spot and give it to another team, if the team in question is unable to field a complete team for the National event. 4 Players minimum are required to be considered a complete team,
Titleholders or Phoenix Masters: These are run as continuous play events from the start of the tournament due to time constraints. The one table rule does not apply except for the following situation. If two teams with common players are participating, the team can go to one table only if the common player(s) is shooting for another team and only if there are no other players available to pick for the next match other than the common player(s). In other words, the common player(s) would have to be the only player(s) left on their other team’s roster.
