Czuch Chuckers: Probably the reason for that tournament to have been announced in the server news is because the prize is a Maharajah membership. Since Kaoz's membership expired we haven't had another Maharajah member around (I think).
It doesn't bother the least to me that it is restricted to checks only, I know it doesn't bother you as well (you stated it) and mostly nobody else... so why stirr up things?