The Quizbowl Resource Center

This is the official announcement for a Boston Summer Open, as mentioned in the organization thread. Almost all details below are subject to change as staff are acquired or lost.

The tournament will be at MIT, and the tentative dates will be August 4th and 5th. A main event will take the majority of Saturday, with side-events dotted throughout Saturday and Sunday. The initial field cap for the main event will be 8 teams. I expect this to go up as I acquire staff, or people volunteer to staff.

Tournament Logistics

I will be tournament director for both days of the tournament. You can post in this thread with any questions, or email me.

Further details will be coming about the exact room locations, timing, etc.

Set + Field Details

We will be running Cambridge Open as our main event (the link is to the 2017 version, but the distro is the same for 2018). We will be attempting to run a very aggressive seven side-events: FILM, Words and Objects, RAPTURE, Worldstar, FTP 3, Human Use of Human Beings, Imaginary Landscapes 4.

Cambridge Open will be run with the understanding that it may be abbreviated (slightly) to allow for side-events. Not all side-events are guaranteed to be run. I hope this won't be the case, and that we can get to everything, just with some possible lunchtime/after-hours shootouts.

This tournament is open, meaning anyone at any age or level of education can play.

Fee Details

The fee for the Cambridge Open main event will be $90 per team. This is lower than a regular season tournament, but high enough that I can pay staffers a decent amount for two days of reading.

The following discounts will apply:
-$10 per working buzzer system (must have power cord and 8 functional buzzers, maximum three buzzer systems per organization)
-$20 per experienced staffer; must be able to moderate, read, and scorekeep.

Minimum fee is $60 for any team.

The fee for the side-events will range from [$2-$3] + the mirror fee, to be determined by the exact format of the side-event being run.

FYI: you can pay with cash, Venmo (username @Raynor-Kuang), or check (made out to "Raynor Kuang"). If you don't have the money the day of the tournament, then you won't be able to play.
Remember to bring extra money for side events! (Cash or Venmo; please don't include it in your main check and expect me to keep track.) The same rule about no-pay, no-play will apply: if you don't have the money when the event starts, you can't play.

Misc

Feel free to use the thread below to discuss team organization.

See following post for a sign-up sheet.

Signup for both the main event and side-events here.

Note that, for the main event, you are not officially registered until at least one person from your team emails me, officially registering!

Assuming there is a British main event and a solid side event selection, I'm going to this.

EDIT: Appears that Cambridge Open is confirmed now. See you in Boston, folks!

EDIT 2: Message me if you want to team. Prefer teammates who know literature, science, misc. arts, and Americana.

EDIT 3: Rohith Nagari and I are looking for teammates; prefer literature / NAQT subject specialists.

EDIT 4: We have a team.

We'll be running Cambridge Open as our main event, with the expectation that it will be slightly abbreviated to fit in side events, as time requires. We'll be running a very aggressive seven side events, with the understanding that not all events are guaranteed to run, or with some taking place as lunchtime/after-hours quick shootouts. These are the side-events:

• FILM
• Words and Objects
• RAPTURE
• Worldstar
• FTP 3
• Human Use of Human Beings
• Imaginary Landscapes 4

Cambridge Open, except for the possible shorter rounds, will be run like a normal team-based event. The exact structure of side-events will continue to vary based on sign-ups. (And staffing, I should note!)

You can find sign-ups, and further links to the original threads for main event + side-events in this Google Sheet. Note that, for the main event, you are not signed up as a team until you also email me your registration. You can find my email in my forum profile.

Additionally, the first two posts have been updated with these details, as well as fee details.

I'm willing to change details as necessary, so please voice any serious concerns you have!

So you're running a mirror of Cambridge Open in Cambridge, MA but calling it the Boston Open?

Skepticism and Animal Feed wrote:So you're running a mirror of Cambridge Open in Cambridge, MA but calling it the Boston Open?

en pointe, monsieur

Some random things I forgot to mention:

- I reserve the right to split up any teams that are too ridiculously OP compared to rest of field
- I'm not tied to the current date. If no one voices serious objections to it by...let's say end of NSC, then it'll be locked in.
- Any free agents not on a team by 5 days before day of tourney will be manually placed in a team.

I'm working in the White Mountains this summer, so I should be able to come down (perhaps with my better half as well ).

The Stately Rhododendron wrote:I'm working in the White Mountains this summer, so I should be able to come down (perhaps with my better half as well ).

Looking forward to having you!

Are there many people who wouldn't be able to attend the weekend of Aug 4-5? I would love to attend, but that weekend doesn't work for me. Unfortunately, I could only attend if the tournament is July 7 or earlier, or August 18 or later. I'm not going to get my hopes up for a drastic date change, but I thought I'd ask.

mhyee wrote:Are there many people who wouldn't be able to attend the weekend of Aug 4-5? I would love to attend, but that weekend doesn't work for me. Unfortunately, I could only attend if the tournament is July 7 or earlier, or August 18 or later. I'm not going to get my hopes up for a drastic date change, but I thought I'd ask.

I could probably attend if it were a week later (and definitely can't do 4-5).

For what it's worth, I would strongly prefer that the tournament keep its original date.

CPiGuy wrote:For what it's worth, I would strongly prefer that the tournament keep its original date.

Same

I'm just a high schooler who probably doesn't get much of a say, but I'd like to voice my support for keeping it on the original date.

Also, using this as an opportunity to say that I'm also looking for a team. I am an unremarkable high school player, but I will ideally have had a month of summer studying under my belt and can generally pull out some clutch fine arts and literature buzzes once in a while.

If anyone is interested in going to Fenway Sunday night (8PM*) to see the Yankees play the Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball, DM me. It looks like there are still some reasonably priced tickets available directly through the red sox website.

*Assuming that there won't actually be any side events running this late

The Stately Rhododendron wrote:I'm working in the White Mountains this summer, so I should be able to come down (perhaps with my better half as well ).

i'm not sure if he means me, but i'll be there as well

Fucitol wrote:If anyone is interested in going to Fenway Sunday night (8PM*) to see the Yankees play the Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball, DM me. It looks like there are still some reasonably priced tickets available directly through the red sox website.

*Assuming that there won't actually be any side events running this late

Just clarifying that this isn't totally out of the realm of possibility, but shouldn't be due to any main side events running long.

Also, on the note of the tournament date, I'll need to talk to my potential staffers again to even move forward on considering a later date. I'd say, at this point, it's 80% that the weekend will be 8/4-8/5. You'll all know by Wednesday.

fwiw I don’t mind the date, but if it was moved earlier it might be better for me (but not really a big deal)

I would also not mind if it goes for 2 day event so people can do things/run more side events

I'd be completely unable to attend this tournament if it was moved to any later of a date, so I'm hoping it can stay where it is.

wcheng wrote:I'd be completely unable to attend this tournament if it was moved to any later of a date, so I'm hoping it can stay where it is.

I can also only attend this date and have already booked travel for this date.

Fucitol wrote:

wcheng wrote:I'd be completely unable to attend this tournament if it was moved to any later of a date, so I'm hoping it can stay where it is.

I can also only attend this date and have already booked travel for this date.

This is the other reason it'd be a terrible idea to change the date. People who have already arranged travel or lodging (especially a train or plane) may be out some nontrivial amount of money.

CPiGuy wrote:

Fucitol wrote:

wcheng wrote:I'd be completely unable to attend this tournament if it was moved to any later of a date, so I'm hoping it can stay where it is.

I can also only attend this date and have already booked travel for this date.

This is the other reason it'd be a terrible idea to change the date. People who have already arranged travel or lodging (especially a train or plane) may be out some nontrivial amount of money.

From the moment I made the initial post, it had the word "tentative" next to the date; if I ever gave the impression that the date was firmly set, I apologize. However, I'll take into account that people may be out money if I change the date, but I'll still prioritize whatever gets as many people to play as possible.

Well, the vox populi has pretty firmly indicated they'd like the date to stay the same, and so it shall.

Expect room details and more logistics to be posted in the next two weeks.

can we please call this event the Cambridge Open Weekend, since 1) it's in Cambridge 2) it's on the Cambridge Open set

The Dunkin Donuts Cambridge Open sponsored by Store 24 and presented by Feral Isaac

A reminder that the main event is (initially) field capped at 8 teams, and the current # of people signed up comes to about 7 teams. You're not guaranteed a spot in the field unless you're on a team and have registered by emailing me. (So far, that's only "Some Kind of Team Name.")

There are eight teams now listed on the signup form--but only six have officially registered. Reminder that you must email me to officially register!

Once we hit eight (official), I'll add a waitlist section. We should be free to expand to 10 teams whenever, but to avoid the dreaded bye, I won't expand until we have at least TWO teams on the waitlist. (So if you find yourself on the waitlist, convince your friends to come play as well!)

Even though it currently looks like I waited a bit long, JJ Tsai and I are looking for teammates. Science and Literature are preferable to most other things but regardless of speciality if you want to play with us message me!

EDIT: Gabe Brison has joined us. We're still looking for one more!

FYI: you can pay with cash, Venmo (username @Raynor-Kuang), or check (made out to "Raynor Kuang"). If you don't have the money the day of the tournament, then you won't be able to play.
Remember to bring extra money for side events! (Cash or Venmo; please don't include it in your main check and expect me to keep track.) The same rule about no-pay, no-play will apply: if you don't have the money when the event starts, you can't play.

I've updated the OP with this info.

I hope everyone enjoyed Chicago Open! Here are in-depth details about scheduling, packet format, and payment, both for the CamO main event and the side-events. Please be sure to read carefully; all teams and side-event players who have provided emails in the signups sheet will receive another email re-summarizing this information. If I'm unable to contact you because your contact info is missing, that's on you.

Please feel free to post any feedback you have on the scheduling, and I'll consider anything that's reasonable.

Payment

As mentioned before, payment must be in advance, or at the time of the tournament. No pay, no play. Either cash or Venmo will be accepted; checks will be accepted only for the main event. (If paying by Venmo, preferably wait until you can physically do so in front of me, but you can also pre-pay. Please use either the subject text "For Cambridge Open" or "For [Side Event] name", paid to Raynor Kuang.) Do not assume there will be change available if you are paying by cash.

You can pay for side-events either while signing up for CamO, or in the first room you play.

The sign-up spreadsheet will be updated with money owed by each team for CamO. For side-events, the following fees will apply:
- Rapture: $12/person ($2 reserved for staff, since Vasa's requested that mirror fees go to local charity.)
- Imaginary Landscape: $12/person
- WORLDSTAR: $13/person
- Words and Objects: $13/person
- Human Use: $3/person.
- FILM: $10/person
- FTP: $9/person
Again: Do not assume there will be change available if you are paying by cash.

Main Event

Packets will be trimmed to 22 questions, excising excessively British content from the original 24, and leaving one questions as tiebreaker.

We will be starting at 9 AM. Registration will open around 8:30 AM. Room numbers will arrive later.

We will attempt to run a 10-team round robin; then (hopefully) play 2 extra games, rebracketing into pairs, regardless of whether those games act as a double final, an advantaged final, consolation games, whatever, etc. If CamO runs excessively long (around past 5 by the end of prelims), then we will only run 1 extra game.

Side Events

For all side-events, I'll post on the forums and email when games are about to start. I'll try and do 10 minutes before start time, but no promises. We will start without you if you're not here at that time, so I don't recommend leaving campus and trying to wait for me to tell you when to come back.

- FILM will run during Saturday lunch, then Sunday lunch, then Sunday evening if there's interest.
- FTP3 will run Sunday evening.

- Imaginary Landscape will run 15 minutes after the conclusion of CamO, as a 2-room shootout, with rebracketing based on points. (Yes, this means you should probably get someone else to buy you dinner.)
- Rapture will run immediately after the conclusion of Imaginary Landscapes, as a 2-room shootout, with rebracketing based on points.

For both of these events, I reserve the right to move things to a single room shootout if events start running excessively late. This would be something like CamO not finishing until 7, or IL not finishing until 9. Initial seedings for both events are in the signup sheet.

- Worldstar will begin on Sunday at 10 AM as a triples (quad overflow) double round robin, and then 2 games of finals/consolation/whatever.
- Words and Objects will begin immediately after lunch as quads (quint overflow) double round robin.
- Human Use will begin 15 minutes after Words and Objects as a triples (quad overflow) double round robin, and then 2 games of finals/consolation/whatever.

During the actual day, we'll be regathering after every side-event/lunch in a single room, where I'll formalize exact start times/schedules. Mods will give updates about what to do next during the last game of a prelims section, or of an event overall.

Most everything here, and any updates leading up to or during the actual event, will be reflected in the main spreadsheet.

Additional, probably important clarification: I'll prioritize sending emails over updating this thread, so just that pay attention to that more as the weekend gets closer.

On that note, the following people are listed as playing side events, but I don't have your emails (though you may be on a CamO team that do I do have an overall email for):

Michael Yue
JJ Tsai

Everyone else who has signed up for a side-event, or was the point of contact for a CamO team, should have received an email by now.

I assume you mean Worldstar is starting Sunday?

CPiGuy wrote:I assume you mean Worldstar is starting Sunday?

This is accurate, and I've fixed that wording.

I'm on a team with Peter and Alex Schmidt and we are looking for a fourth. If anyone is interested, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks!

Edward Lansdale wrote:I'm on a team with Peter and Alex Schmidt and we are looking for a fourth. If anyone is interested, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks!

I know some high school players in the area that might sign up as free agents in the coming days; this information might be helpful for anyone looking for more people on their team.

Thiccasso's Guernthicca wrote:

Edward Lansdale wrote:I'm on a team with Peter and Alex Schmidt and we are looking for a fourth. If anyone is interested, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks!

I know some high school players in the area that might sign up as free agents in the coming days; this information might be helpful for anyone looking for more people on their team.

According to the spreadsheet, there's only space for one more free agent, or subs, unless more than one team joins at once. (Which seems unlikely at this point.)

Rohith had to drop so we need a fourth as well. Happy to play with anyone (EDIT: tentatively Ophir has joined)

Jacob can't come anymore, so Adam Fine, Nitin Rao, and I are looking for a teammate. Lit and arts knowledge especially appreciated, but we're happy to play with anyone. My email is in the sidebar.

Tuan Nguyen has dropped from my team so we are also looking for a fourth. All players are welcome. Please contact me at [email protected].

EDIT: We have tentatively found a fourth.

Mohin had to drop so my team (me, gabe, jj) are currently in need of a fourth. Let me know if you want to join us!

Everyone should have received the following email from me by now:

Hello, here's the final email summarizing everything, main events and side events. The main addition is that we finally know exactly what room numbers we'll be using.

Again, the schedule/signups spreadsheet should be your main reference for exact scheduling.

TIME

Saturday: 8:30 AM registration open, 9 AM games start
Sunday: 10 AM WORLDSTAR begins. All other side-events follow after prior events.
Lunch will be approximately 90 minutes each day.

LOCATION

All games in MIT rooms 4-145, 4-146, 4-149, 4-153, 4-159.
Room 4-153 is the "central room" for all events; all registration occurs there prior to any event. Please do not enter if a game is ongoing, as it will be a game room as well.

(Additionally, this helpful link has been suggested as useful info: whereis.mit.edu)

LOGISTICS (the important ones)

Please make sure to bring buzzers if you signed up to bring them.
If you do not have payment for your event at registration, you will not be allowed to play. Please bring exact change. You can pay in cash or Venmo (Raynor-Kuang); or by check only for the main event.
Again (again), see the schedule/signups spreadsheet for exact side-event sequencing / team format.


This should be the last email from me. Let me know if I've missed anything!

If anyone wants to team up for the side events tomorrow (I'm playing worldstar, w+o, and human use) let me know! (or, if the general consensus is waiting for randomized teams, never mind)

The Billiards Fool wrote:If anyone wants to team up for the side events tomorrow (I'm playing worldstar, w+o, and human use) let me know! (or, if the general consensus is waiting for randomized teams, never mind)

People are totally free to start making teams ahead of time (use the [unlocked] Side Events Signups tab of the main Google sheet).

Also, I believe that Weijia was the winner of RAPTURE, and Michael Y. the winner of Imaginary Landscape IV. I won't be porting side-event stats to the database, but I'll post the stats soon.

Also, if anyone has corrections to the Neg5 stats for the main event, please let me know. I probably won't be able to apply them until tomorrow, but I will do so.

(now that I've had more time--everyone [at the very least, those playing side events today, Sunday] should have received this email; please let me know if you haven't)

First things first: I would like to remind everyone that this is the schedule for today (all events beginning in 4-153):

====================================

10 AM: WORLDSTAR
approx. 12 PM: Lunch + FILM
approx 2 PM: Words and Objects
approx 4 PM: Human Use of Human Beings
approx 6:30 PM: FTP 3

"Approx" times are because those events follow immediately after from the prior one.
You can begin forming teams in the "Side Event Team Formation/Signups" tab here, but you will need to register/pay in person. (Or at least physically tell me you already paid.)

====================================

I apologize to anyone unnecessarily receiving this email because they are not playing any side-events (only the main event), but I'm not really sure who's having a change of heart and will decide to come to side-events, so I hope the continued emails today won't be too much.

Now, on the note of yesterday, congratulations to "the bajaj meme isn't funny", the team consisting of Ophir, Jack, Will, and Wonyoung, who won a de facto Best-Of-3 finals by winning the first and third games against "Cheng et al." Will, I hope you'll take a picture of your neg prize at some point, and that it's a useful stress reliever.

Finally, I'd like to formally thank everyone for coming to play the main event yesterday. Obviously, with a Summer Open, things are going to be a little more hobbled together than a formally ACF/club run event, but I was generally pleased with how well we transitioned throughout the day, and for that I need to thank my staffers: Olivia Murton, Jiho Park, Roger Jin, Michael Yue, Chip Horton, and Vasu Jain, as well as Josh Xiong and the MIT club, who helped us reserve the rooms for the weekend.

This is possibly something I'd like to have continue in the future, so I appreciate you all coming out and getting a sampler. All things said and done, it doesn't make an extreme amount of money as an event, but I appreciated being able to see everyone from the community, and hope we can keep doing things like this in quizbowl.

This was a very fun and pretty well-run tournament. I won't be there today, but thank you to Raynor, the staffers, and MIT for helping to make this happen.

I also had a ton of fun, and I was very impressed at how well the whole day was run, especially considering how coagulated the schedule seemed to be (with back-to-back main events and side events and whatnot). Thank you to Raynor and co. for organizing this!

Considering Imaginary Landscape may not be clear, posting these stats is probably not the wisest decision.

This was wonderful and I had lots of fun. I hope this continues to happen! Thanks to all the staffers, Raynor for running the event, and the writers of all the sets we played.

EDIT:The 10 AM start time was much appreciated today and made for a great Sunday schedule.