NDFP MANUAL - DART TOURNAMENTS
A PUBLICATION OF NDFP DART REFERENCE MANUAL All Rights Reserved © This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed except with the expressed written permission of the Copyright Holder.
  • Overview
  • Planning the Tournament
  • Formats
  • Events
  • Entry Fees
  • Prize Money Breakdown
  • Playing Venues
  • Budget
  • Sponsors
  • Event Promotions
  • Tournament Director
  • Chalkers
  • Miscellaneous
Dart tournaments are the major dart activities in the Philippine dart setting.The following is the tournament classification and definition of the different dart tournaments by the National Dart Foundation of the Philippines (NDFP).

Major Dart Tournaments


Major dart tournaments are two to three days dart tournaments with minimum cash prize of P75,000. Dart tournaments with cash prize of P100,000 and up are always considered major dart tournaments. Examples of major dart tournaments are the Darterong Pinoy, Mindanao Open, Dinagyang Open, and Araw ng Agusan del Norte.

Before the 1st Darterong Pinoy in 1998, major tournaments only had one event per day for two to three days. Since the launch of the Darterong Pinoy Dart Tournament, multiple events in a single day has since been the norm.

Major dart tournaments rely on corporate entities as the main source of sponsorships.

Darterong Pinoy Tournaments


The Darterong Pinoy Dart Tournaments since its inception in 1998 has laid the standards of Philippine dart tournaments.

The P75,000 Darterong Pinoy 1998 was the first dart tournament in the Philippines to implement mandatory chalkers (an international standard), to use the seeding format in an open tournament, to apply the single elimination format in all events (an international standard) and to have multiple events in a day.

The Gilbey’s P100,000 Darterong Pinoy 1999 was the first P100,000 dart tournament in the country and the first tournament to use a thirty-two (32) dartboard set-up.

The Robson P120,000 Darterong Pinoy 2000, the richest tournament at that time, saw the introduction of free-registration events and the use of the rolling one-year ranking for singles events.

The Robson’s P150,000 Darterong Pinoy 2002 introduced the National Team Championships and NDFP Performance Points.

The Sportshouse and Robson’s P100,000 Darterong Pinoy 2003, 2004 and 2005 are the first and only free-registration major tournaments in the country today. These free tournaments eventually became the most attended tournaments with the most nationwide participation.

Weekend Dart Tournaments (one day)


These are one-day tournaments with cash prizes ranging from P5,000 to P30,000. Majority of the weekend tournaments have a cash prize ranging from P8,000 to 12,000 with a single event, usually draw doubles. These are the one-time tournaments organized by various dart groups, politicians and dart benefactors.

Recent developments have shown expanded one-day dart tournaments with two events and over. The Cabiao Summer Dartfest of 2003 had four events in a day and a total cash prize of P30,000.

Monthly Tournaments


These are dart tournaments characterized by a continuing monthly schedule, sponsored and organized by dart venues or corporate entities. These monthly one-day dart tournaments usually last for one year and consist of either one event or multiple events. Total cash prize for these monthly tournaments ranges from P7,500 to P12,000. Examples are the Pearl Plaza, Gameworx monthly dart tournaments.
These are the three major variables to consider in planning a tournament:
1. Number of Dartboards
2. Number of Players
3. Number of Hours

Time, dartboards and number of players are the determining factors you must keep in mind when selecting the tournament format, tournament event, match format and, to a lesser degree, the game you play.

The number of dartboards and the number of players will dictate the length of time an event will be over. This computation becomes critical in the scheduling of events and determining the number of events.

For example, if the anticipated participants are 70 players with 12 dartboards and the event is draw doubles, best of three 501, single elimination, the computation is as follows:
Number of pairs – 35
Time per match – 30 to 40 minutes
Number of dartboards – 12
Number of rounds – 6

40 minutes 1st Round – 12 matches (3 matches to reach Top 32 and 9 matches of Top 32)
40 minutes 2nd Round – 7 matches to finish Top 32
30 minutes 3rd round – 8 matches of Top 16
30 minutes 4th Round – 4 matches of Top 8
30 minutes 5th Round – 2 matches of Top 4
30 minutes 6th Round – Championship
200 minutes
3 hours and 15 minutes

The value of this computation is to project a time reference for scheduling of events. Too many events in one day can be disastrous especially if the tournament reaches the early morning hours. This computation serves as a basis to determine the most efficient number of dartboards with the projected number of participants.

As a general rule, you should plan an event to be over within three or four hours. That means you can start an event at eight o’clock and the winners can be on their way home byeleven or twelve o’clock.

Double elimination tournaments seem to be more popular all the time and some Tournament Directors are modifying the double elimination tournaments so that they move a little faster in the losers’ bracket. One of the ways to speed up play is to reduce the number of legs. For example, play two of three legs in the winners’ bracket and one leg in the osers’ bracket.

Whichever match format you select, make sure that it is one that will run quickly without a long wait between matches, will be over in three or four hours and will be one that the players enjoy.

Starting dart activities on time will surely guarantee finishing your events on schedule.

Single Elimination Format


In all major tournaments, either in Europe and the USA, including the World Cup and the Asia Pacific Cup, the single elimination format is the basic tournament format. This is the accepted international standard of a dart tournament format. The single elimination format is where a single loss will eliminate you from the tournament. This format facilitates a faster running of the tournament especially for multiple events in a single day.

The first major tournament in the Philippines to use the single elimination format in all events was the 1st Darterong Pinoy in 1998, organized by the NDFP.

Double Elimination Format


Weekly pub tournaments and the single day weekend dart tournaments use the double elimination format. Double elimination format is rarely seen in major tournaments in the rest of the world except in the Philippines.

The double elimination format is where the player loses twice before he is knocked out of the tournament. All winners are grouped in the winner’s bracket and the losers go down to the loser’s bracket. The last remaining players in the winner and loser’s brackets play for the championship. The player in the winner’s bracket has the twice to beat advantage. The winner of the loser’s bracket has to beat the winner of the winner’s bracket twice to win the championship.

The double elimination format is almost twice longer compared to the single elimination format.

Round Robin Format


In a round robin format, teams or players play all teams or players in their group. This format is basic in international team competitions such as the World Cup and Asia Pacific Cup. Countries are drawn into groups of four and the top two (2) teams advance to the next round. Then, the single elimination format is utilized to determine the team champions.

The round robin format is also utilized in selecting individual players for country representation. Players are drawn into groups of eight or four and the top players advance to the next round after a round robin play.

This is likewise the standard format in dart leagues wherein all teams play round robin versus all teams in their respective league groupings.

Step Ladder Format


This is the format wherein the last two (2) ranked teams or players play for the right to compete against the next least ranked team or player. In this format, top four (4) players are ranked from numbers 1 to 4 based on the number of wins. The number 4 ranked player plays the number 3 ranked player and the winner plays the number 2 player and the winner plays the number 1 player for the championship.

In some dart leagues, the stepladder format is used among the top eight or top four ranked teams.
The following are the different dart events an organizer can choose from in a tournament setting after determining the tournament format (single elimination, double elimination or a combination of the different formats).

Herein are the definitions of terms describing dart events:

Open Events are events with no restrictions. Open events are events where anybody can play, with no restrictions in gender, skill or age.

Classified Events are restricted events based on “degree of skill”. The classified event is a unique Philippine phenomenon. It is only in the Philippines where there are classified events. Classified doubles, triples and four-person teams are restricted events to balance the strength of pairings and hopefully give equal chances to the majority of players. The “good players” are called classified players and can only partner with a non-classified player. The formulation of how many classified players can team up in the triples and four-person team is up to the organizer.

The methodologies of a classified event are as follows:
1. Grouping of players into rated players as the classified players and the non-rated players as the non-classified players.
2. Grouping of players at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
3. Any other groupings deemed equitable by the organizer in segregating the so-called good players to “even out the playing field”.

Draw Events are events where the pairing for the doubles, triples and the four-person team are drawn, either by blind draw as in open doubles or classified draw from segregated groupings of classified players.

Singles Events


Singles events are either open singles or restricted singles.

In restricted singles, the restriction can either be sex as in the ladies’ and men’s singles, age as in the youth and seniors singles or “ degree of skill” as in the assorted terminology of non-pro, amateur, classified and non-rated singles.

Doubles Events


Doubles events are broken down into fixed doubles, draw doubles or mixed doubles. The draw doubles can be open draw doubles or classified draw doubles.

Fixed Doubles are doubles events wherein players register as fixed partners. It is sometimes called “roll your own” or “bring your own partner”. This can either be open fixed doubles or classified fixed doubles.

Open Draw Doubles is defined as a draw doubles wherein a player can draw as a partner any other player without restrictions.

Classified Draw Doubles are restricted draw doubles wherein the supposedly good players are classified and can only have a doubles partner who is non-classified.

Mixed Doubles are usually fixed doubles wherein partners are of the opposite sex.

Triples Event


This is a three-person team event. The formation of the three-person team can either be fixed triples or draw triples. As in the doubles, the draw triples can be open or classified.

The triples event is rapidly gaining popularity, as this format is less intimidating for the novice / beginner for each player’s contribution is only one-third of the team effort. Furthermore, winners of the classified triples events are very unpredictable and, to a significant degree, chance plays a big part.

Four-Person Team


This is a four-man team event, usually a fixed four-man team. But, as in the case of the doubles and triples, this can also be a draw four-man team, which can be classified or open.
Entry fees or registration fees are the monies paid to join and play in a dart tournament or league. The main consideration in determining the entry fee is the cash prize of the event.

The accepted reasonable practice to determine the entry fee for up to P15,000 cash prize is to divide the cash prize by 100 such that a P5,000 dart tournament event would have a P50 entry fee, a P10,000 tournament would have a P100 entry fee and so on.

This formulation changes when the cash prize is over P15,000 and the divisible by 100 practice to determine entry fees may not be feasible to apply, as participation will decrease.

The key aspect to consider is how reasonable the entry fees are, for tournaments with below the 100 divisible accepted norm is always viewed as generous and an important factor that can increase participation.

Free Entry Fees


The NDFP initiated the first free entry fee events in a major tournament during the Robson’s P120,000 Darterong Pinoy in 2000. The events were the P18,000 Classified Draw Triples and the Youth Singles. Darts was rapidly declining in the year 2000 and the free registration event was to jumpstart a “balik-darts” promotion. Three hundred seventy-eight (378) players participated in the free event triples.

In support of the youth development, all youth events of the NDFP since 2000 are free registration events, both for the Darterong Pinoy and the Mindanao Open.

The Sportshouse 20th Anniversary P100,000 Darterong Pinoy Dart Festival in 2003, organized by the NDFP, was the first and only major tournament with no entry fees in all events. The Riverbanks Center Dart Tournament (July 5, 2003) was the first weekend free registration tournament open to the public, again supported by the NDFP.

The Darterong Pinoy 2004 and 2005 are all free registration P100,000 dart tournaments. The Darterong Pinoy free-registration tournaments has been the entry point of new darters in the mainstream competitive tournaments.

There are free registration tournaments in weekend tournaments sponsored by barangays but restricted to residents in their barangays.
The breakdown of the prize money is up to the organizer, as long as the breakdown is posted before the start of the tournament or announced in the flyers. It should be noted that the prize breakdown of a single elimination format is different from a double elimination format.

As shown in the example below, the single elimination format comes in multiples of 1 – 2 – 4 – 8 – 16 – 32. Therefore, prizes are for the champion, 2nd place, joint 3rd and 4th (top 4), joint 5th to 8th (top 8), joint 9th to 16th (top 16) and joint 17th to 32nd (top 32).

The breakdown in a double elimination format are for the champion, 2nd place, 3rd place, 4th place, joint 5th and 6th; joint 7th and 8th; joint 9th to 12th and joint 13th to 16th places.

Single Elimination			Double Elimination
Champion				Champion
2nd Place				2nd Place
Joint 3rd and 4th			3rd Place
Joint 5th to 8th			4th Place
Joint 9th to 16th			Joint 5th and 6th
Joint 17th to 32nd			Joint 7th and 8th
					Joint 9th to 12th 
					Joint 13th to 16th

Prize Breakdown: Single Elimination


Prize Breakdown for Top 4 – P12,000 Cash Prize
Winners 		% of Total 	Breakdown 	Total   
Champion 		50% 		6,000 		6,000	(6,000 x 1) 
2nd place		25%		3,000		3,000	(3,000 x 1) 
Joint 3rd and 4th	25%		1,500		3,000	(1,500 x 2) 
Total			100%		12,000   

Prize Breakdown for Top 8 – P12,000 Cash Prize
Winners 		% of Total 	Breakdown 	Total   
Champion 		40% 		4,800 		4,800	(4,800 x 1) 
2nd place		20%		2,400		2,400	(2,400 x 1) 
Joint 3rd and 4th	20%		1,200		2,400	(1,200 x 2)
Joint 5th and 8th	20%		600  		2,400	  (600 x 4) 
Total			100%		12,000   

Prize Breakdown for Top 16 – P12,000 Cash Prize
Winners 		% of Total 	Breakdown 	Total   
Champion 		33.3% 		4,000 		4,000	(4,000 x 1) 
2nd place		16.7%		2,000		2,000	(2,000 x 1) 
Joint 3rd and 4th	16.7%		1,000		2,000	(1,000 x 2)
Joint 5th and 8th	16.7%		500  		2,000	  (500 x 4)
Joint 9th and 16th	16.7%		250  		2,000	  (250 x 8) 
Total			100%		12,000   

It should be noted that the 2nd placer’s money is one-half the champion’s and the joint 3rd and 4th placers are one-half the money of the 2nd placer and so forth. This breakdown is the most ideal prize breakdown and only serves as a guide. In a lot of instances, the top 4 breakdown is normally followed and the prizes for joint 5th to 8th placers are usually lower than one-half the joint 3rd and 4th placers. Usually the lowest prize is money back from the entry fee.

Prize Breakdown: Double Elimination


Prize Breakdown for Top 12 – P18,000 Cash Prize
Winners 		% of Total 	Breakdown 	Total   
Champion 		33.3% 		6,000 		6,000	(6,000 x 1) 
2nd place		16.6%		3,000		3,000	(3,000 x 1)
3rd place		11.1%		2,000		2,000	(2,000 x 1)
4th place		8.3%		1,500		1,500	(1,500 x 1) 
Joint 5th and 6th	13.3%		1,200		2,400	(1,200 x 2)
Joint 7th and 8th	10.0%		900  		1,800	  (900 x 2)
Joint 9th and 12th	7.2%		325  		1,300	  (325 x 4) 
Total			100%		18,000   

Prize Breakdown for Top 8 – P10,000 Cash Prize
Winners 		% of Total 	Breakdown 	Total   
Champion 		46% 		4,600 		4,600	(4,600 x 1) 
2nd place		24%		2,400		2,400	(2,400 x 1)
3rd place		12%		1,200		1,200	(1,200 x 1)
4th place		6%		600		600	  (600 x 1) 
Joint 5th and 6th	8%		400		800	  (800 x 2)
Joint 7th and 8th	4%		200  		400	  (400 x 2)
Total			100%		18,000   

The above examples are actual money payoffs in a double elimination format tournament. Notice the wide variation in money distribution. In the first example, 60% of the money is divided to the top three finishers whereas the second example shows 82% distribution to the top three finishers. The prize distribution in a double elimination format is a little bit tricky compared to a single elimination format. Again, it is up to the organizer to determine the prize breakdown in a double elimination format and the above serves as a good guide.

Prize Distribution


Often overlooked, the organizer should facilitate easy distribution of the prize money to the winners. In the doubles event, prepare two envelopes for both winners. We often see doubles winners receiving a single cash envelope and looking for change to divide their winnings. For example, a doubles team wins P1,000 and is given a P1,000 bill. They still have to change the P1,000 between themselves. Why not prepare two envelopes of P500 each and let the winners be on their way home? Provide some extra service to darters.

Respect to Winners


Time and again we have seen organizers deduct cash winnings from players that should be deducted from their managers or somebody else. Refrain from deducting any amount without the consent of the winner. Always give proper respect for winners and to darters.
Playing venue is the place where dart activities are held. Therefore, any place with dartboards is commonly called a playing venue. This place may have one dartboard or multiple dartboards.

In most major tournaments, the organizers create their own playing venues. Since the closure of the thirty-two (32) dartboard Manuela playing venue, there are no alternative fixed dart venues that can handle the requirements of major dart tournaments. Major dart tournaments require at least twelve (12) dartboards and up to thirty-two (32) dartboards in the Darterong Pinoy dart tournaments and 47 dartboards in the Araw ng Agusan del Norte P400,000 National Darts Classic. Additionally, enough space should be allocated for tables and chairs for participants, spectators and organizers.

The playing venue should create an environment and set up conducive to playing the best darts from players.

The following should be considered in creating and choosing a playing venue for major tournaments:

Location


The location or site of the playing venue should be accessible to public transport, easy to find and with ample parking and security for dart players.

The choice of location should also appeal to sponsors. Sponsors prefer a mall setting for maximum promotional exposure or locations with high visibility and additional spectators aside from darters.

Location should have enough floor space to accommodate comfortably the space requirements of a major dart tournament.

Floor Space


Playing venues for major tournaments should accommodate these basic requirements:

Playing Space
This is the total space for the dart stands, the throwing area and the area where players wait for their turn to throw. Enough space should be provided between dartboards to minimize distraction for players playing simultaneously and enough space for chalkers to keep score of the match. Playing space should be free from the following distractions: 1.) Unusually strong air from ventilation or nature and 2.) Blinding lights from the rising or setting sun or from in-house lightings.

The dartboards in the playing space should have readable board numbers, convenient location of scoreboard, enough chalk and erasers. Very important are usable dartboards with clear unbroken wires and boards that a dart point can penetrate and not fall off. Proper individual lightning should accompany each dartboard. If house lighting is utilized, make sure that lighting is ample. Lastly, the dartboard location and toe line must conform and meet very specific measurement standards.

Sitting Space
Major tournaments are multiple days with multiple events and players spend most of their time waiting for their turn to play. Sufficient tables and chairs must be provided for both players and spectators. If enough chairs are not available, budget allocation for rental must be made. Comfort must be the primary consideration.

The sitting or waiting area should be maintained at all times. Organizers must make sure enough ashtrays are provided, if smoking is allowed, and the tables are regularly cleaned of used eating utensils, dishes, bottles and other debris.

Food and Beverage Space
The food and beverage providers should have a descent allocation of space. The eating area can be provided separate from the sitting area. The location of the food and beverage area must blend with the sitting area and the playing area and should not create undue distraction and traffic in the playing area.

Special arrangements are usually made with the food and beverage providers to have special meals called Darter’s Special. These are the discounted special meals for darters. Arrangement for reasonable pricing should always be made.

Food and beverage providers should be instructed to provide courteous and optimum customer service and to maintain a clean F & B area at all times.

Registration Space
This is the area where participants sign up and pay their entry fees. Again, location should not interfere with games in progress.

Stage Space
This is usually the area used for the Opening and Awarding Ceremonies. Sometimes, the trophies and other awards are displayed in this area. The stage area is optional.

The stage area is also used for the championship matches. The elevated stage gives a better view for spectators to watch the finals, but this should not override the playing conditions sometimes offered by a poorly constructed stage. It is very disheartening to watch championship matches where players play poorly due to wrong measurements, a moving stage and disproportioned toe line.

Merchandising Space
This is the area allotted for sponsors to promote, display or sell their products. The specific size should be given to merchandisers and these are usually provided for in the sponsorship package.

Others: Sound System
Often overlooked, an excellent sound system facilitates better communication and understanding between tournament organizers, tournament directors and dart players. A good sound system is indispensable especially in huge playing venues. If music is played during the tournament, make sure these are not too loud to create distraction to players.

Ingress and Egress
Ingress is the set up of the dart venue before the tournament. The venue must be set up at least one (1) day before the tournament. Proper coordination with venue management should be made before the ingress. These include the arrangement for gate pass for materials brought in, special time arrangements, provision for additional electrical outlets and submission of the planned layout of the venue.

Aside from the set up of the dartboards and the playing area, the ingress also includes the set up of the streamers and banners of sponsors.

Egress is the demobilization and clean up of the venue after the tournament and coordination with venue management is required.
Budget is an itemized estimate of the expected income and expenses of the tournament or league. The budget is often the preliminary basis to determine the total cash prize, entry fees and sponsorship requirements.

Expense and Revenue


In drawing up a budget, all the expenses that will be incurred must first be determined and a specific amount is allotted for each of the expenses, including the cash prize. When all of the probable expenses are tabulated, then the potential revenues or income are computed and the viability of the undertaking is assessed as to whether to pursue the tournament or adjust the budgetary requirements.

Example of expense items are:
• Prize money
• Awards (trophies, medals, etc.)
• Sound system rental
• Venue rental
• Tournament Director’s fee
• Flyers / brochures
• Event streamer/s
• Press releases
• Set-up expenses such as dartboards, dart stands etc.
• Ingress and egress expenses

Example of revenue items are:
• Sponsorships
• Entry fees
• Others such as sales from food and drinks and other miscellaneous items
Sponsors are individuals or corporate entities who support and fund a particular endeavor and, in the case of darts, in support of a darting event.

Forms of Sponsorships


Sponsorship can come in the following forms or in a combination of forms:

Cash sponsorship – providing money as the means of sponsorship

In-kind sponsorship – providing the company’s products in lieu of cash or other in-kind sponsorship such as trophies, dartboards, etc.

Ex-deal sponsorship – providing services as the means of supporting the sporting event such as venue owners who will provide the venue for free in exchange for sponsorship exposure or radio stations to make event announcement in exchange for being a sponsor.

Sponsorship Rationale


Corporate and individual sponsors consider event sponsorship as one of the means for giving exposure and promotions to a product, a company or an individual. Sponsorships are promotional exposure for sponsors. Make sure that the proper exposure and promotions are given. These promotional exposures are called media values.

Media Values


The generic term to describe the various forms of promotional exposure is called media value. In the strictest sense, media values come in the form of radio, television and print (such as event ads, press releases and news articles). This is also known as the tri-media.

The media values considered as “non-media values’ come in various forms such as streamers, flyers, brochures, posters and A-boards.

Sponsorship Package


Sponsorship package is the total sum of the media value exposures the event organizer is willing to provide in exchange for soliciting sponsorship. Potential sponsors may not all have the capacity to support the event and thus the sponsorship package is broken down into different categories and the corresponding media values in each category is allocated. The amount of sponsorship solicited is determined by the amount of media values allocated in each category.

Sponsorship Categories


Event Presentor / Title Sponsor – is the highest form of sponsorship and name of the sponsor is carried in the event such as Robson’s Darterong Pinoy 2002 or the Samsung All Filipino Basketball Conference in the PBA.
Major Sponsor
Minor Sponsor
Contributor

The Event Presentor is given the most exposure that can include product lockout, the most number of streamers, premium logo placement, merchandising rights and other values the organizer can provide. The Major Sponsor will have less media values compared to the Event Presentor and the Minor Sponsor will have less exposure compared to the Major Sponsor and down to the different categories.

It is very critical to list down all the media values in each category for these will be the basis whether the amount of sponsorship being solicited is equivalent to the media values being presented.

If there is only one sponsorship category make sure that all of the media values are the same for all sponsors. Once favoritism becomes very evident and the credibility of the organizer comes into question then the organizer would have a hard time looking for sponsors in the future.

Remember that sponsors are not charitable institutions. For any sponsor, the primary consideration is what it would get in return for its support. This return on investment (i.e., sponsorship) is thus translated to its equivalent media and non-media values.

Targeting of Sponsors


In looking for potential sponsors, the following things have to be considered:

Sponsor’s target market – The target market is a specific segment of the populace that the sponsors usually cater to. As such, you would not expect a company whose product is infant formulas to sponsor a dart event. In the same manner, you would not expect the SK Chairman of a barangay in Marikina to sponsor a tournament in Cotabato City. The possible target sponsors for a dart tournament are sporting goods stores, dart distributors, alcoholic beverages and a host of potential sponsors.

Event requirements – Instead of financial support, it is also possible that a sponsor could support the event in some other manner through what is known as an ex-deal. For instance, instead of paying rental for a venue, the organizer could ask the venue management to waive the rental in exchange for being a sponsor of the event.

Organizers must always bear in mind that it is not ethical for competitors (i.e., San Miguel Beer and Colt 45, Jollibee and McDonald’s, etc.) to be sponsors of the same event. At the same time, a product lockout is always preferable for the Event Presentor.

Responsibility to Sponsors


The media values in the sponsorship package are the organizer’s commitment to the sponsor. Therefore, whatever is promised to the sponsors must be met and completed – no ifs, ands or buts. It is suggested that all commitments are documented and filed. The documentation of the event is called the Activity Report.

The Activity Report is a summary of the events that transpired, pictures of event streamers, stage streamers, etc. (especially the commitments given to the sponsors), news clippings (articles, press releases, etc.), print ads and the results of the tournament or league and, if radio and TV values are included, the Certificates of Performance from the radio or television stations.

The Activity Report should be submitted to the sponsors along with the sponsorship billing of the event.

Promotional Materials


Promotional materials help advertise an event. These materials are valuable types of exposure that could be utilized by the organizer in designing the sponsorship packages. Some of the common promotional materials are:

Tournament Brochures / Flyers – For a dart tournament, the basic promotional material is the tournament flyer or brochure. The tournament flyer helps advertise the event and provides basic information such as:
• Tournament or League Title
• Date and Venue of the Tournament or League
• Event Details
- Day and Time
- Format
- Entry Fee
- Prize Money Breakdown
- Number of Cash Winners
- Other Awards
• Sponsors
• Organizer/s
• Tournament Guidelines
• Event Guidelines
• Vicinity Map
• Contact Persons
• Other Information
- Definition of Terms
- Hotel Accommodation

Event Streamers – The event streamers must be displayed near the venue at least one week prior to the tournament and should include the following details: Tournament or League Title
Date and Venue of the Tournament or League
Sponsors’ Logos
Organizer/s

Posters – The posters should include the following details:
Tournament or League Title
Date and Venue of the Tournament or League
Sponsors’ Logos
Organizer/s

Promotional Distribution


Promotional materials are useless unless these are distributed. Thus, it is very important to pinpoint the channels of distribution to effectively reach out to dart players and enthusiasts and thereby increase participation. Moreover, timing is a key factor in the distribution of these materials so potential attendees can schedule the tournament in their calendar and set aside the necessary budget. Promotional materials should be distributed one month to three weeks prior to the tournament.

Some of the key distribution channels are the dart stores, dart venues, other dart tournaments or leagues, dart managers and influential dart players. A formal letter of invitation along with the flyer and other promotional materials can be sent out to dart associations, dart clubs, schools and corporate entities where there are dart players. The sum total of the invitation, flyers, posters and other promotional materials is called the event mailer.

Personal follow up should be made two weeks to a week prior to the tournament. Cellular phones could be utilized to make text message reminders one week prior to the tournament.

Reaching out to provincial darters is usually done through the event mailers and a personal follow up call. Dart associations nationwide are located in key cities and the mailer should be sent out as early as possible. It is advisable to send out an advance invitation to provincial darters so they can schedule their vacation leave accordingly.
A Tournament Director (TD), in its strictest sense, is the individual who runs the tournament from the time registration ends and a champion is declared. In a general sense, the TD also serves as a consultant for the organizer regarding the technical aspects of the tournament and, in other instances, takes the place of the organizer and handles the other functions of registration, flyer distribution, mobilization, etc.

Responsibilities


The main responsibility of the TD is to ensure the smooth running of the tournament. Therefore, prior to the close of registration, the TD prepares for the drawing of matches and, in classified events, segregates the classified from the non-classified players. This preparation involves writing the names of participants in a card form to facilitate the drawing of matches. Another preparation is the set-up of the bracketing. The match brackets are drawn up based on the number of participants. This is also called charting of matches.

In the draw doubles, triples or four-person team events, the cards are stacked into two boxes for doubles, three boxes for triples and four boxes for the four-person team events for the drawing of pairings. It is very critical that the drawing of pairings and the drawing of matches are made very transparent and beyond doubt or manipulation. It is common to request special guests and participants to draw the pairings and matches.

Matches are announced and players are directed to their board assignments. It is expected that the TD observe proper decorum, civility and professionalism in making announcements and in the use of the microphone at all times.

The TD makes the announcement of team numbers, names of players and board assignments at least three times in the first round of matches.

In cases where defaults have to be made, the TD makes the decision for default and recommends this to the Tournament Committee or Technical Committee for final decision. If these committees do not exist, the TD makes the final decision for defaults and also handles any protests and clarifications from players. Thus, the TD must know the basic rules and guidelines of the tournament or league he is administering so he can fairly interpret and implement them.

In instances, where the TD also handles the registration, the decision to start the tournament rests on the TD. The TD should make sure that dart events start on schedule!

Once the matches have all been drawn, the bracketing chart is posted for the public to follow.
Chalkers are the official scorers in a dart match. This term was derived from the word “chalk”, the writing medium for the blackboard.

Chalkers are a standard requirement in dart competitions throughout the world. In fact, even pub tournaments in the USA require chalkers. Unfortunately, this basic requirement is not mandatory in the Philippine dart setting and the NDFP has been encouraging the use of chalkers in Philippine dart competitions.

Chalkers help facilitate the game of darts. The presence of chalkers minimizes the occurrence of delaying tactics employed by some players to distract the rhythm and pacing of the opponent. Chalkers also minimize deliberate errors in scoring employed by some players. Chalkers provide a very valuable service for darters to concentrate and focus in the game rather than continuously guarding the scoring of his opponent.

The chalker must be acceptable to both parties. A chalker can be replaced in the middle of the match if any player requests so.

It should be remembered that during a match, the chalker is not a participant!

Basic Guide


Here is a basic guide for chalkers:

• Do not talk.
• Stand still.
• Do not smoke, eat or drink.
• Face the board and do not look at the shooter.
• Do not tell the shooter what to shoot for.
• Do not show signs of disgust or excitement.
• Do not change the score if that player has shot again and a second score is written down. If you need extra time to add up the score, politely ask the shooter to leave the darts in the board until you and the shooter agree on the score.
• Do not change sides of the scoreboard of a player in three-leg or more matches. If you start the player on the left side, leave him / her on the left.
• Do not touch the player’s darts to determine who won the diddle.

The chalker shall announce the score made on each turn before the darts are touched by anyone and said score shall stand once the darts are removed. The chalker shall record the score made on each turn on the appropriate side of the scoreboard.

When requested by a thrower, the chalker is obligated to tell the thrower the number of points scored and/or points remaining, whichever is requested. The chalker is expected to be accurate and conscientious in providing such information.

Remember that the chalker is not a participant, but simply there to facilitate the game. Don’t berate the chalker for not being as perfect as you are. If the scoring is wrong simply inform the chalker politely that an error has been made.

Match Format


The competition between two players is called a match. The individual games they play are called legs. The sum total of the legs is called a set.

A match format with “best of five” means a set where a player needs three legs to win the match; in a match of “ best of 3 sets, best of 7 legs” means a player needs to win 2 sets of best of 7 legs.

Types of Games


The types of games played in major tournaments or league settings in the Philippines are ‘01 games. The game of 501 is commonly played in the singles or doubles matches, 701 for the triples and 1001 for team matches. In the weekend and pub tournaments, aside from the ‘01 games, other games played are straight Killers, KOC (Killers – 01 – Choice) and other miscellaneous games.

Performance Points


Performance points are ranking points of the NDFP sanctioned events. The allocation of performance points is based on the number of participants and the total cash prize of the tournament. The rationale for this allocation is to give recognition to players and organizers with non-classified singles, big and small, and to provide an equitable points allocation system.

There are no membership requirements and any sanctioning fees. Any organizer can submit to the NDFP their request for sanctioning, thus inclusion in the Performance Points of the NDFP.

Seeding Format


Seeding is an added dimension in the bracketing of the singles event. Seeded players are players who have gained ranking classification as the top players in the tournament. This ranking is based on the NDFP Performance Points.

The first major tournament to use the seeded format was the 1st Darterong Pinoy in 1998. The seeded format was very crucial for Darterong Pinoy 1998 was also launching the first single elimination format for the singles events.

The main rationale of the NDFP for a seeded format is to make sure that the top players based on their points earned will not play in the early rounds. This will facilitate the top players meeting in later rounds thereby generating spectator interest. In a seeded singles format for top 8 players, the top players will be bracketed in such a way that they will only play each other when they reach the top 8, if they reach the top 8 at all, and not before.

The methodology for determining the seeded players can either be the rolling-one year cumulative points earned, as is the basis for the tennis seeding format and utilized by the NDFP.