| The prize money is very attractive (and becoming | | | | play all these people with their different ways of |
| more so all the time, I might add) but there are other | | | | playing, when you go back home or back to the club |
| benefits for a player entering a gin tournament. For | | | | or whatever, you're going to have a helluva edge in |
| one thing, you are going to spend several days in a | | | | knowledge because you've learned from the |
| posh hotel with people you know you are going to find | | | | players-the very best players around-at the |
| interesting: other gin players. And you are going to be | | | | tournament. When you make a play the player you're |
| playing gin players from all over the country and from | | | | playing with will be anticipating one thing and all of a |
| around the world. In fact the chances are you're going | | | | sudden you're doing something else, something he's |
| to draw and play at least one of the better players in | | | | never seen before you've become a more |
| the world. Whether you end up in the money or not, | | | | knowledgeable gin rummy player! One final note |
| you are going to learn and you will improve your game. | | | | before closing our chapter on tournaments: The |
| There is always a strong camaraderie among gin | | | | numbers of games to play, the number that go into the |
| players. Many observers, being players already finished | | | | finals or semi-finals is based on the time element and |
| with their own games, will join the galleries and will sit | | | | the number of people in tournament play. Gin rummy |
| together for hours, reminiscing about a good hand, bad | | | | tournaments can be held almost anyplace, at any time |
| hand, good play or a bad play. Good, bad or indifferent, | | | | and with any number of people. There are afternoon |
| one can always expect advice from another gin | | | | tournaments, there are evening tournaments, one day |
| player, and since most consid- er themselves the best, | | | | tournaments (like on a Sunday, perhaps) or even a |
| they are always eager to lend a helping hand. Most | | | | weekend tournament where, say the players might |
| players come to tournaments to renew old friendships | | | | play Saturday night and again on Sunday-a two-day |
| and are chomping at the bit for the competition. If | | | | tournament in reality. It all depends, basically, on your |
| you're a real gin buff and looking for some extra | | | | numbers. |
| excitement, come to a gin tournament. I assure you, | | | | If you've got thirty or forty people you'd probably play |
| you won't be able to wait for the next one. Another | | | | four games to qualify. When we have a hundred and |
| advantage of trying your hand at a gin tournament is | | | | fifty or two hundred people we use sixteen games to |
| the opportunity of greatly improving your Gin Rummy | | | | qualify. The reason for this is, the more games, the |
| game. If you're like most of us you play the same | | | | better chance of the skill coming to the top. If an Elks |
| people regularly; friends or other club members if you | | | | Club or a Country Club or anybody wants to write to |
| belong to a club. You know the style of the people you | | | | me for help in setting up a tournament I'd be glad to |
| play with most of the time. | | | | help in any way I can without charge. For help in setting |
| Now if you go to a four day tournament, you will play | | | | up a tournament or if you have any questions about |
| sixteen different people (at least) and they all have a | | | | gin rummy that you would like for me to answer, |
| different way of playing, some of which may be similar | | | | please write. I also appear as a guest speaker and, of |
| and others which will vary a great deal. If you learn to | | | | course, conduct gin rummy tournaments. |