Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Avross Jul 08, 2015 19:21:37	Ok, so our store only has space for 2 tables...and that's with it being cramped, so there is no room for a third.   We're currently at 13 players, and have been steadily gaining players every week.   There's nothing written in the AL guidelines (nor should there be) for what we should do when players 15 and 16 start showing up...likely because the *BEST* option is to start a third table...but as noted, that's not an option for us.    I'm curious how other DMs and LCs would suggest handle picking who gets to play.   There's some obvious no-brainer "they get a seat" people (the son of one of the DMs, and the BF of the other DM...since if either of them don't get to play, the DM leaves...), but is there a "proper" way to choose who gets the other seats?   First come, first serve certainly makes sense for Expedition adventures...but what about Encounters/Casual Play?   Should the person who's been at the table since Session Zero, but who got stuck in traffic lose his seat?
#2 Qzoo Jul 08, 2015 21:27:10	At the end of a session, pass around another log-in sheet for players to sign-up for next week's session.  This gives priority to people who showed up this week, and allows new players who show interest before next session to sign-up, but only if there is room.   Anybody who needs to cancel needs to do so with 24 hours notice.  A semi-regular with too many no-shows should get waitlisted instead of being allowed to sign-up automatically for the following week.   24 hours before the game start, start contacting any waitlisted players and ask them if they want a seat if one opened up.   Both tables should be listed, and operate the same way.   *********************   An alternative is to decide if a group of very solid regular gamers would be willing to play elsewhere, or on another night of the week.  This would become a "closed" group of regulars that doesn't accept new players, but as long as they play in a public space, they can continue to be sponsored by the store.  The store should not advertise this game to new players, but might use the opportunity to show the game off, or allow them to talk to the GM or other players about the game.  They can obviously point them to any open games that might be available, and the appropriate sign-up sheet.   ******************   You might ask your table if anyone would like to give up their seat.  While not ideal, there are some real lifelong gamers out there that might already be playing in 3 different groups.  It would be a courtesy to give their seat to newbies that are trying to learn the game for the first time IMO.  Like I said, it's not ideal, but it is a real option depending on your players and their experience.   ****************   Ask the store to post a public notice board so people can find fellow gamers and game groups.  It's not a direct solution, but it will give those without access to the Adventurers League games another way to scratch their gaming itch.  This should be mandatory for any good store IMO.
#3 Blade2718 Jul 09, 2015 8:00:32	Try to add another day.   Start a table early so that it ends when the original ones would start.
#4 Noon Jul 10, 2015 3:02:44	Avross wrote:
#5 Noon Jul 10, 2015 3:04:54	Blade2718 wrote:
#6 Setzer_G Jul 10, 2015 5:49:06	I like the sign-up sheet for next time. As long as that's advertised, that shouldn't be an issue. There should be a cutoff time that seats become open again. If Steve isn't here, and hasn't let anyone know, and it gets to be 7pm, his seat is open for whomever shows up to fill it, and that sucks for Steve.    Adding another day is something that is annoying. I love my hobby, but I have a family, other interests, career, and other responsibilities that take up my time other nights. For me, it wouldn't be as easy as "try another night".   You could, if you are your store coordinator, talk to one of the players who has shown interest in DMing, and have THEM run whatever you were just playing on a different day (assuming room, talk with your store owner and coordinator).
#7 Kalani Jul 10, 2015 8:14:00	Noon wrote:
(Reply to #5) Coredump00	Noon wrote:
(Reply to #3) Coredump00	Its tough, becuase I feel that 'new people' is a driving reason for having Encounters on Wednesday. But I wouldn't want to 'kick out' a regular......   thus the best choices will still allow both. There are other options, (first come, sign up, prebook, etc) but all of those lead to excluded people.     Blade2718 wrote:
#10 Avross Jul 10, 2015 8:59:37	Thanks for the ideas.   As a few people have pointed out, what we're doing is probably considered "casual play", so we aren't forced into a Wednesday night.   I'm not sure the store has space for us any other night (they are a small shop, and D&D doesn't bring in nearly as much money as CCGs)   If our current expansion continues as it has...I will probably ask our LC to look into online sign up tools.   That seems like the best option given the area...
#11 BRJN Jul 10, 2015 16:15:43	Ask the store if they can remodel / rearrange their floor plan.  Offer to bring in a few guys (the group) to help move heavy / bulky stuff.   If the store is in a strip mall, maybe they can rent use of some unoccupied space a few doors down?
#12 Noon Jul 10, 2015 17:48:43	Coredump00 wrote:
#13 Kalani Jul 10, 2015 17:51:54	You could have just said encounters. By saying adventure league you were in fact spreading misinformation. You may have meant encounters but that was not what you said. Hense the responses.
#14 Noon Jul 10, 2015 18:24:47	Kalani wrote:
#15 Kalani Jul 10, 2015 19:09:48	This is ironic. I just finished creating my email template to explain the AL program to new stores interested in the program.   Wednesday: This is Encounters Night and is geared toward new or returning players who are looking for a weekly game. The program is designed to encourage players to purchase products (esp. the seasons adventure), and offers a free introductory excerpt of said which ends on a cliffhanger leaving players wanting to see what happens next. Expeditions and Casual Play events can also be run on Wednesdays, with all events being called "Encounters" for the purpose of WER reporting.   It is a common misconception, but while Encounters is Wednesday Exclusive - Expeditions and Casual Play can be scheduled for any day of the week.
#16 CoreyartustheSecond Jul 12, 2015 14:04:05	We should all remember that how these terms are defined and how they're different from one another has changed as the Adventurers League has developed over the last two seasons.  It's no wonder there is confusion as adjustments have been made over time.  The League is just coming up on a year old in reality, and the implementation of policies has been subtley modified (witness the recent moving out of Encounters into Casual Play APL debate) as new understandings of how things work in a practical sense have come to light.  What once felt like rigid policy with stringently clear guidance for store table capacity has now softened to encompass a wider range of pragmatism and practical application.  I don't think anyone can be blamed for not being able to keep up with the permutations of how the policies have matured.
#17 Sorsohka Jul 14, 2015 10:39:41	Open a 3rd table at an other local pubic place (coffe shop, university campus, community center, church basement etc...) remember all public place are legal (even online).   Open a 3rd on a different night?   Make smaller table (with 4 player per table instead of 7) and tell the other player to join online. then use a TV screen and a computer for the map so player can join using Roll20 or fantasy ground and you got a mix of real life player and virtual player at the same table. This solution will require some investement (3 TV and 3 computer) and access to internet, electricity plugs etc... but if your store can do it it look really good and allow more player to seat aroudn the table but taking less space in the store   The sign up sheet idea work great as well, but then you are limiting access to the game, but if you extend you open that 3rd table at the coffee store or on a different night, or allow access to virtual player who take no physical space in the store, you then allow access to more player to join and enjoy the game.