USPPA Defines “Added Money”

When the term added money is referenced in an event, The United States Pool Players Association only refers to money that augments the prize fund over and above entry fees and will not include money generated by room rebates, green fees, registration fees or any other fees that appear to be disguised charges to the players. While money generated from these sources may be added to the prize fund by some promoters, it is the direct policy of The United States Pool Players Association to not present those funds as part of money referred to as added money or charge those fees in general.  We have not set a term for this money but we are considering the use of the term ” fee generated prize money”, to serve as an advisory when considering events to recommend to our members.   

While all tournament operators are entitled to charge any fees they want we specifically would encourage anyone operating any tournament to be forthcoming with what those fees are actually for.

For those unfamiliar with the term “Room Rebate” this refers specifically to an undisclosed surcharge added to hotel rates and either paid directly to the promoter or meeting/event planner as a source of revenue. As a Certified Meeting Planner thru San Jose State I certainly don't object to revenue sources.  However, in normal event planning circumstances there are seldom anything referred to as “added money.”

Green Fees are charges assessed to the players for the use of the tables.  Sometimes these are fixed and in the case of tournaments that are held on coin operated amusement devices (i.e., bar tables) they can be difficult to calculate but should be considered.

While we recognize there are costs associated with producing events, we believe prize funds that include the fees referenced above should refrain from the use of the term added money in our opinion. When referring to those funds the term prize fund and the use of that term is considered reasonable presentation by The United States Pool Players Association. Below is an example of the use of those terms and how they affect the presentation of prize money:
Entry Fee:    $100
Added Money:    $5,000
Registration Fee:    $25
Room Rebate:    $22
Green Fee:    $25
Field:    128
 
 
Prize Fund

Entries:    $12,800
Posted Added Money:    $5,000
Total Advertised Prize Fund:    $17,800
 
 
Room Rebates:

64@22 x3 = $4,224 assumes 3 day event 2 players to a room

Registration Fees:

128@$25= $3,200

Green Fees:

128@$25=$3,200

Player Generated Fee Sub Total:
$10,224

If added to the Prize Fund:
New Prize fund Total:
$28,024

When not Added to Prize Fund:
Net effective Added Money =  
$5,000 Posted added Money

-$10,224 Player Generated Fees

______________

($5,224) Net Effective Added Money
While this is certainly open to interpretation we have asked the Consumer Protection Agency to review this and we believe they will see it the way we do and insist on truth in advertising.  We are also asking The Nevada Gaming Commission and the United States Post Office Inspector to consider this.

Please consider the following:
Player Generated Fees =
$10,224

At 128 Players, this yields $79.88/player.  As opposed to adding that money it would be simpler and clearly more transparent to simply have $180 entry fee and eliminate the fees.  With $5000 truly added money you would yield the same amount of prize money, namely $28,024.

This problem would go away if promoters who are relying on these fees to give their event the impression of more added money than really exists would simply refer to the purse as prize money.

While this practice may be acceptable for amateur events which are recreational in nature, The United States Pool Players Association opposes this practice in professional events and we encourage The Billiard Congress of America and The World Pool Association to refrain from sanctioning events that appear to be relying on the above referenced sources to make up the bulk of what is referred to as added money. We also encourage any recognized pool, billiard or snooker organization to feel free to adopt our policy.  
Why Consider This  
Despite a concerted effort to “sanitize” the game it is still about gambling and money.  The presentation of prize money should be similar to casino presentation of odds on the money.  If a casino is shading the odds on a game the public is entitled to know and likewise should players who participate in a tournament of any kind where there is prize money especially where entry fees are assessed.

Personally when I consider a tournament I am looking for the following situations.  I would like an opportunity to get a minimum of 30 to 1 on my entry fee if I can win the tournament against a top field.  Now I am clearly not a 30 to 1 shot and would be more like 200 to 1 but that is a gambling proposition that I am willing to wager on.  I am factoring in recreational value as well as development of my game as contributing factors when considering participation.
Furthermore, I like to see the added money at 100 times the entry fee. If you examine the schedule of our events that will take place in Reno at The Peppermill later this year you will find that the 3 main events are at 100 to 1 or more, added money to entry fee.  The Reno Open and The Simonis tour Championships both have entry fees of $250 with $25,000 minimum added money.  The USPPA Tournament has 15,000 minimum added with an entry of $100.  In the pro-am event entry for late qualifiers will be additional for membership and score sheet fees which early qualifiers have paid throughout the year and will be clearly spelled out.

Over the years in The Reno Open we assessed late fees and accounted for them separately from the entries and made sure all money was added to the prize fund and posted as late fee contributions. This made it easy to not play favorites.

In the case of this year's events at the Peppermill the hotel rate reflects the use of conventions space, food and beverage requirements as well as occupancy history for the hotel during that period.  By waiving room rebates The United States Pool Player's Association feels that it is a more player friendly proposition as well as more economical.  

We think we got the best rate considering all that the hotel is providing including a $50,000 free roll poker tournament which players in the Open, Simonis Tour Championship and USPPA Qualified Players will get a free entry in. Out of that money $10,000 is earmarked for a World Series of Poker Seat for the winner.  Last year's World Series had over 6 million in prize money which we think is a good incentive for a tournament or tournaments with real added money.

In closing, we encourage any players in any organizations or participants in any events that feel they have been adversely affected by any of the aforementioned practices to feel free to contact Tony Annigoni of The United States Pool Players Association at 831-277-0216, or by email at tony@usppa.com. While we certainly are in no position to regulate other organizations there are remedies for practices like these and we are more than happy to share the ones that have been brought to our attention.

Tony Annigoni

The United States Pool Players Association

www.usppa.com