LOL that's ok BBw you're worth the wait your help is always good.

Linda - Took me an extra minute to find out what kind of tournament he had. :-)

Dragon - In a Fellowship tournament, it is a little more tricky

1) Go to the tournament you set up.
2) Click on the link that says "Back to the list of game types"
3) There you will see the "Close" button
4) Then you will see the "start" button

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Oh tournament guy this ones for you BBW

Why cant I see the message to start the tournament? The date has passed, etc.

:) OK, I'll tell you. You're wrong! :)

What is it that you're wrong about?
I didn't find any posts by you on the front page here. Is it in someone else's post where they refer to you? Perhaps you've inadvertantly posted your query here when you meant to post it to another discussion board?

Just over a day left to enter one of the tournaments that are waiting. Dark Chess or Extinction Chess.

Actually I think tournaments are an excellent place to 'learn' games. My first game of both Maharaja and Janus chess was played (or is being played) in a tournament. ;)

The better player usually wins, unlike regular Chess where the better player almost always wins.
It has luck. Even the lowest rated player can win against the top player.
It has bluff. Nothing like throwing a Rook out there when the other player can attack it with his Queen, but doesn't know if its guarded or not.
Since the boards are dark, the players can't analyze their opponent's position for days on end, or get a computer to help, or have kibitzers and friends help them any more than they can help themselves.
If you haven't played the game, it's kind of like Stratego and Battleship combined, with the movement of Chess.

I hadn't even heard of Dark Chess until a couple of years ago. I'd sure like a home version. It'd take two screens and a game console or computer to run it. I imagine such a set up could be used for other games too. Even more screens hooked up for other games. Just use two for Dark Chess. Does anyone know if such a machine is made or can be configured with current store bought stuff?

Does adding a prize help one's tournament have more people in it? The Dark Chess tournament that I'm going to start this weekend doesn't have a prize except for bragging rights. You guys have me wondering if it matters about the prizes or not. I like to play the games, prizes or no prizes. I suppose it wouldn't be too much of an expense to add money to my tournament, but I'm reluctant to do it for some reason. Perhaps I'll do it in the second tournament, if I run a second tournament that is.

As general statement about offering prizes I will say that I think on a game site like this one that games with some chance in them will probably cut down on the players that will use computers to help them play their games. Choosing a game that's not as well known, or hasn't been analyzed a lot is probably a better choice. I would avoid games like regular chess, five in line, Pente, checkers, and games simular to them that have perfect information in the play of them. Even my old Chess Master 5500 could play in a tournament given a few days for each move and hold its own against some of the best players in the world while on this old 486 66 MHz machine I use here. If you're going to choose those kind of games, I wouldn't offer a prize.
2¢

I agree, if it is going to be bracketed, the game doesnt have to be one of luck...
Although you run into the occasional problem of someone like Arnie addick in reversi, who is a top player, but who recently had some problems and was ranked at about 1000 or so. Plus there is always the unranked player who is very good also, so you would have to watch for that also :)

Now that is a brilliant idea too rogue :)

you could also make it between highly ranked members only in a game of skill with the prize going to the pawn of their choice. (may be not greedy enough)

Looking at what you have all ben inputting.. I reckon a game of chance will be best :)
I want to make it fair to all...
Also as steve says, a lot of us rooks would probably give the prize to a pawn anyway..

I want to make it as fair as possible, Also your idea IMupChucKing is good too... I could run 2.. one for the higher ranked.. one for the lower...

I was going to do a years membership.. but I could split it into 2 six months..

anymore suggestions/help appreciated

I can only speak for myself Steve, But I think you play a tournament to win. If you want to play a game for fun, or to get experience, tournaments are not the place. Tournaments are for winning.

Thats why I suggested flights.... all players between 1700 to 2000 for example.... I know people make mistakes etc, but no one ranked at 2600 is going to lose to someone ranked 1500.
BUt there are also games with more luck involved ie battleboats, and backgammon, where most people feel like they at least have a chance to win.

A tourny thing isnt a chance thing, its a competition for god sake LOL
I think its stupid when players leave a tourny or wont enter it, just cos best player is in it. Everyone is human and makes mistakes sometime. And I am happy when I get to a final against a player like that.
If you are bothered by a certain player winning all the time, then just stick to pleasure games.
You dont see F1 racers not entering a race for a prize etc, just because Ferrari always win. see what I mean?

Normally the winner would give a prize to a pawn or knight anyway if they are a Rook etc already, so whats the problem.

The only problem with doing a "line" game is that I can already pick the 2 or 3 people who will probable win the thing. :-(

Battleboats? There anyone has a chance! :-)

Maybe you could find others who want to offer a prize tournament, and make several 'flights' of a game, each offering a membership?

Stevies faves tourny

Games:
• Checkers
• Gothic Checkers
• Turkish Checkers
• Five in Line
• Reversi 6x6
• Reversi 8x8
• Anti Reversi
Have fun and enjoy the games,
Steve :o)

Thats the problem Chatty... It almost has to be a game with a measure of luck to it, so anyone who joins at least has a sense of a chance to win. Otherwise, it is only an exercize in patients for the expert player, who will ultimatley win, if they dont get too bored waiting for the tournament to end.

Have a look at the ratings page, 5 in line is popular, or spiderline 4 etc

Thats what i was think steve... I know there are a lot of gammon games.. but really don't know what else is popular!!!