Some of you may have read my views on this subject on blonde... but since this is now the correct place to discuss this I have copied that post below -
I think any suggestion of seeding or giving priority to anyone is just wrong (unless it is to the inaugural S American Open Champion!!).
This just means that someone who was not lucky enough (for any number of reasons), to secure a seat in one or more previous tourneys, then has even less chance of getting into a future one.
APAT live tournaments, it seems to me, should be open to all APAT members, with equal oppurtunity.
For what it"s worth, I think the method used this time is getting there ie.
1. Live satellite at venue - although I think 20 of 150 seats is a bit high.
2. Online satellites - I think 3 x 9 seats is about right. (DesD, Would it be possible to prevent someone playing a 2nd sat if they had already won a seat in a previous one)
3. A direct pay "Clickfest" - with remaining seats made available in 3 seperate lots over 3 days, this should give most people the oppurtunity to have a go.
As for a draw, I think this is the worst option. Whilst it may appear to be the fairest way, I can assure you that the only way to may a random draw look truely random is to rig it!! You will get some people getting into every tourney while others never get into one.
Well, that"s my 2p worth... I think I need a lay down!