I. What should the relative size of prizes for sections and class prizes be

A. General discussion

The topic of prize structure always has a diverse, and usually opposing set of views. Of general consensus seems to be that the more difficult the play, the greater the prize. There is usually little debate on this issue. What does have more divergent viewpoints is whether class prizes should be small in comparison to place prizes. Most opinions offered to date on this seem to favor keeping class prizes less than place prizes.

B. Conclusion

1. While opinions may vary over time, which is the more appropriate way to organize the size of the prizes, I would recommend a structure by which a clear and consistent methodology could be followed. While the end results may be debated and fall into favor or disfavor, it is less likely to be criticized or completely thrown out due to its understandability. Such an approach would lend itself to adjustment while maintaining consistency of its application.

C. Recommendation

1. If the prize fund allows, apply the following formula to establish the prize structure of events.

a) Two place prizes for the top section.

b) Sections other than the top have one only place prize.

(1) This provides a convenient method of simply applying the place prize as a class prize should the section be merged into another section.

c) Have as many class prizes as possible using the following guidelines:

(1) The highest class prize in the section should be set at least 200 points below the top of the section cut-off. In the case of the open section, the highest class prize should be no higher than 2200.

d) What we shall call the following structure the "rule of halves for max prizes". This should be applied to limit how high prizes should go, not how low. In applying the structure you must take into consideration the total prize fund, the combined prizes available to masters if you are trying to qualify for GPP points and the appropriateness of whether you want the lower sections prizes to even be as high as the rule allows.

(1) The Highest place prize in section shall be 1/2 the lowest place prize in the section above it, if there is a section above it.

(2) Place prizes within a section shall be 1/2 the prize above it.

(3) The highest class prize within a section shall be 1/2 the lowest place prize in the section.

(4) Additional Class prizes within a section shall be 1/2 the class prize above it.

e) What our current and possible GPP prize structures would look like when the rules of halves for maximum prizes are applied.

Section	Prize	3 Sections No GPP	2 Sections No GPP	2 Sections GPP 15	2 Section GPP 10	1 Section GPP 15
Open	1st Place	160	160	340	200	340
	2nd Place	80	80	170	100	170

Middle	1st Place	40


Reserve	1st Place	20	40	80	50
	2nd Place		20	40	25

Class Prizes	U2000					80
	U1800					40
	U1600					20
	U1400					10

Total Prize Fund		300	300	630	375	660

Requires $1 per player donation				Yes	Yes	Yes
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