This is my second year playing in tournaments so maybe I'm not an expert but the problem is there are way too many events, and they are too expensive. In 2022 there were far less tournaments to enter so if you didn't sign up in the first 10-15 minutes, it was full. but in 2023 it was not uncommon for there to be 2-3 events every weekend, within a 20-30 mile radius, all competing to draw players from the same regional pool. To do that, they jacked up the players packs and increased prices. $60 dollar C-tiers are common, and some of them only have a players pack, no prizes. This has caused a noticeable dropoff in the quality of events, as tournament directors are exhausted and begging for people to enter their half-full events.
I also think I'm going to stop playing in the Age-protected am divisions. It's ridiculous to have a 200 point ratings difference in the same division. The age divisions are fun if everyone everyone is relatively competitive, but invariably someone shows up from out of town at the last minute who is 50 points higher than everyone else and the day is ruined. Nobody who is rated 950 should be playing in MA50. Sorry, i realize maybe you're eligible, but what's the point other than adding another win to your stats and picking up another $20 disc? Next year I'm sticking to MA2 or MA3 where everybody is competitive and you don't have people swooping in from out of town to beat up on the locals who are just trying to have fun.
