Tips for hosting a tourney to make 'em return

[Anthony Edens]

Here are my most important things, add yours...

1. Advertise it heavy and at least 3-4 months out to help ensure there will be enough pullers.
2. Start on time. (Within at least 30 minutes of your advertised time.)
3. Have at least 2 people at the scorers table. (1 announce, 1 brackets)
4. Bolt your table down to a piece of plywood at least 2' X 6'.
5. Have at least one ref with several years (3+) experience and wear a referee's shirt. Pay for one if you have to.
6. Announce the "on deck" matches to help with the flow of the tournament.
7. Think about running 2 tables if you have more than 5-6 classes.
8. Consider running your Novice/Amateur classes at an earlier time with a separate weigh in for the Open class so they don't have to show up at 2pm and not pull until 8:15pm. (actually happened to me)
9. Have your "downside" referee squat down or sit in a chair so that the audience can see the match.
10. If you are gonna charge $25 for a novice entry you have to give them a t-shirt.

[Jim Wagner]

One thing we do is the "pull over" rule. It seems once or twice in a event some match gets goofy, wher both ref's just cant decide what happened. maybe it was a slip close to a pin, or did a elbow lift before or after the pin.....we just dont know what the heck went on.

So we have the people pull it over, right there. I want there to be a clear winner, as most competitors do as well. Nobody wants to go home feeling ripped off, so our goal is to have a clear winner and loser

[Rick "Lummox" North]

Good stuff Anthony, I find a lot of veteran pullers don't want(need) a huge trophy, it's just one more thing they gotta find a spot for. I've had a few who said they have given a bunch away just to get rid of them. Be creative with prizes, grip toys, engraved beer mugs etc.
Get as much info as you can about the pullers and make announcer aware of who's who, where they come from and what championships they have won. It helps the keep the fans involved. If you have a sponsor, have them make nice flyers so the pullers can take them home after the tourney and hang in their training room.
Most important, listen to the pullers, ask if they had a good time, what worked, what didn't, don't be afraid to get imput from they guys who make the tourney a success!!