2019 Los Angeles Saikouisen Pro Tournament Overview
The 2019 Los Angeles Saikouisen Pro Tournament was on Labor Day weekend (Aug 31-Sep 1). For me, it was four days of automatic table play with LAPOM's tables. With the event in the past, I can look back on this tournament, just like all the others. As always, there had been some interesting moments. Due to the recency of this tournament, I have this event split into five articles, counting this one.
I initially had a general policy to not attend any mahjong tournament for 2019, unless it was a convenient road trip. After a deep talk with family on my Vegas trip earlier this year, I could not justify my attendance, that involved flights. It was a matter of expense. I did check Chicago to Los Angeles flights and prices were reasonable. So, attendance came to within reason. In the end, I became compelled to go via Facebook private message. Eventually, I became convinced to attend; so I did.
With that said, this is my general allowance for long tournament travel in a while. Though, I have a certain Colorado trip lined up, due to a promise made 10 years ago.
The format:
Weeks going in:
I did not sign up for this tournament until the beginning of the month. When the first announcement came, I was iffy about even considering going. Mahjong tournament travel is expensive. If I consider flight, hotel, entry fee, food, etc., I spent roughly over $900 on this trip. This one would be my seventh travel tournament, where travel time is greater than four hours driving. Regardless, I reserved my plane ticket two weeks prior to the event. My hotel stay was booked just three days before flying. When I saw the names of the participants via the above image, I finally came to terms with it. I am going.
Regardless, I have an odd weakness when to comes to flying, as I generally prepare for the worst, even if the odds of dying from a flight is less than scoring suukantsu. My pre-flight routine is as is, and eventually, I was on my way. Then I get my four days of mahjong at LAPOM; and I return home.
After everything, this event goes into my mahjong history.
Summary:
Going into this tournament, I had my trepidation as noted earlier primarily pointing to cost and timing. Even now, I'd still complain about it. Roughly, this trip cost me around $900. The bulk came in the cost of flight and hotel stay. The rest went to food and the tournament fee.
In the end, it was a worthwhile trip for a number of reasons. I finished with a better than expected tournament outing. I was able to observe a typical LAPOM day. The conversations and discussions with various mahjong players throughout the weekend were insightful. As with all mahjong trips, I was got to play real tile mahjong with completely new people and other players met via previous trips.
At the end of everything, I went home satisfied.
I initially had a general policy to not attend any mahjong tournament for 2019, unless it was a convenient road trip. After a deep talk with family on my Vegas trip earlier this year, I could not justify my attendance, that involved flights. It was a matter of expense. I did check Chicago to Los Angeles flights and prices were reasonable. So, attendance came to within reason. In the end, I became compelled to go via Facebook private message. Eventually, I became convinced to attend; so I did.
With that said, this is my general allowance for long tournament travel in a while. Though, I have a certain Colorado trip lined up, due to a promise made 10 years ago.
The format:
- Six hanchan round robin, followed by two hanchan semifinal and two hanchan final.
- With the usage of autotables, it was possible to squeeze six hanchan for a tournament day, with plenty of time to spare after.
Summary: (Each day gets an article)
- Day 0: Arrival and freeplay
- Day 1: Tournament Day 1 (round robin) and dinner session
- Day 2: Tournament Day 2 (semifinal and final)
- Day 3: Freeplay and departure
I did not sign up for this tournament until the beginning of the month. When the first announcement came, I was iffy about even considering going. Mahjong tournament travel is expensive. If I consider flight, hotel, entry fee, food, etc., I spent roughly over $900 on this trip. This one would be my seventh travel tournament, where travel time is greater than four hours driving. Regardless, I reserved my plane ticket two weeks prior to the event. My hotel stay was booked just three days before flying. When I saw the names of the participants via the above image, I finally came to terms with it. I am going.
Regardless, I have an odd weakness when to comes to flying, as I generally prepare for the worst, even if the odds of dying from a flight is less than scoring suukantsu. My pre-flight routine is as is, and eventually, I was on my way. Then I get my four days of mahjong at LAPOM; and I return home.
After everything, this event goes into my mahjong history.
Summary:
Going into this tournament, I had my trepidation as noted earlier primarily pointing to cost and timing. Even now, I'd still complain about it. Roughly, this trip cost me around $900. The bulk came in the cost of flight and hotel stay. The rest went to food and the tournament fee.
In the end, it was a worthwhile trip for a number of reasons. I finished with a better than expected tournament outing. I was able to observe a typical LAPOM day. The conversations and discussions with various mahjong players throughout the weekend were insightful. As with all mahjong trips, I was got to play real tile mahjong with completely new people and other players met via previous trips.
At the end of everything, I went home satisfied.
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