Tips on finding a player base?

[Pontius Pirate]

'Ello, gents. I'm not a particularly savvy card player of sorts, but I must admit, like all the other chumps, that I've enjoyed The Spoils profusely ever since I caught a glimpse of it at Gen Con So Cal randomly at 1 in the morning when they were finishing the tournament of sorts. Since then, I started hunting around local comic book and card shops for folks who sold the game. After awhile, I bugged a shop owner to order some packs and boosters, and about 2 weeks ago he finally fulfilled my request.

Now I'm well on my way to amassing a collection of cards, but other than my friend Ryan who I shanghaied into buying a deck and playing with, I have no contact besides this board. I was just curious as to what is a good way to find some like-minded folks who want to promote and network with The Spoils. Is there a good website or section of this forum for stuff like that? And is there anyone with specific knowledge of a Spoils den in Huntington Beach, or just Orange County?

[Falsesanity]

Well if you can't find em... make em.

[Pontius Pirate]

I was thinking about that. Two things:

A. Just about all of my friends are cheap deadbeats who either have one too many card games/hobbies(I got all my friends into Warhammer, so another would kill them) or just don't care about this kind of nerd(assumption) activity.

2. I lack the networking/communication skills/basic motivation to get the wheel rolling for a project like that.

In my honest lazyman's opinion, it's easier and more feasibly to find a group that already exists.

[painted_klown]

LOL I really like your first post on this topic....Bugging the shop owner and "shanghaied" a friend......:p
Anyway, yeah thats exactly the way to do it. Another suggestion I have is to play at the store (I know this can be difficult some times) and if any body shows even a hint of interest (starts asking what you are playing, looking at the cards ect..) then ask if they would like to join you in a game. Sure you may have to stop a game or two short but it's worth it in the long run if you can recruit a new player. If they bite then show them how to play and the rest will take care of its self (is "its self" a word:confused: ):p
The spoils is a great game, I have played several games casually and never have I found a game that can compare in terms of pure gameplay, fun and strategy. Most others who play The Spoils will see this as well. Good luck and I hope you can create a Spoils community in your area.:)

[LucienofShadow]

Which Orange County is this? Most states have one. :p

If you really need someone, $50 a day will get you MD's own Doc8466. Complete with m4d judging sk1llz and nifty jacket. Well trained in ordering people around.

Or, if you don't want to rent doc, you can try to get you friends to drop one of their other games for this one. Don't forget to mention the great prizes.

[Osion]

Once you establish your own knowledge of the game, or become a judge perhaps, its not a bad idea to devote some time running demos in your card shop.

I know we here in MD had two new players that wanted demos after seeing some of us play. It would probably be good to start an info table at a big tournament for another game and pick up players as they filter through the shop.

[turning_of_the_tide]

Which Orange County is this? Most states have one. :p

If you really need someone, $50 a day will get you MD's own Doc8466. Complete with m4d judging sk1llz and nifty jacket. Well trained in ordering people around.

Or, if you don't want to rent doc, you can try to get you friends to drop one of their other games for this one. Don't forget to mention the great prizes.

Quit trying to Pimp out Doc....poor guy.... but seriously bug people play the game people will follow and its really all you can do.....I mean all my players are MTG players and to get them intrested for my first tourney I gave away MTG packs....now I have players who are commited to The Spoils and have completely quit playing 'that other game' like myself, (except for drafting online, cause I love drafting/sealed deck :) )

-Ryan:spade:

[La_Sin_Grail]

Thanfully in Maryland, I didn't have to do anything to increase player base for competitive play.

For drumming up people in general, though, here's my basic steps to success

1) Make lots of friends
2) Tell them this is a cool card game
3) Explain to them the prizes
4) Show them the game and why it's amazing
5) If all else fails, FORCE IT DOWN THEIR THROATS!!!
6) Smile and laugh about it later.

Jason (Osion) got me into this back in the day, but since I've pulled in at least three individuals into spoils, and we've combined efforts on some more... Basically, if you've got dedicated players who can exert influence, it's your job to exert it! :P

[Kallen000]

I go in before FNM or some other CCG event look at the lonely players hoping enough people show up. I grab magic players and throw them a deck and tell them to try the best game they will ever play. While I teach them the basics which most magic players pick up easy I explain the prizes. Their eyes get big I tell them the most effective way to get a competitive deck alla the cheap pre cons. I get them to play or watch tournaments and then I give my 1st place or whatever pack prizes to them. Gets players all the time and makes me feel good. Really the key is to get people playing. Players love free stuff and the game is super easy to teach mtg and the like players. Not everyone I guess can do this but its effective over the last week I got 3 players and a bunch interested.

Scenario 2 is I wait till after FNM go up to the player who won and say oh cool what did you win? They say the FNM foil and some packs. I say thats cool but there is this game called spoils that if you win the same kinda thing not only do you get those prizes but you get a ticket to a special prerelease where you can win up to $400 and a Carribean cruise trip to play for your share of $400,000! Lets just say that tends to get people interested.

[Pontius Pirate]

Which Orange County is this? Most states have one. :p

If you really need someone, $50 a day will get you MD's own Doc8466. Complete with m4d judging sk1llz and nifty jacket. Well trained in ordering people around.

Or, if you don't want to rent doc, you can try to get you friends to drop one of their other games for this one. Don't forget to mention the great prizes.

The one in California. That's how I casually glimpsed Gen Con So Cal, but sorry for not being specific.

Well I can see that the unanimous solution is a 'do it yourself' approach, one that I fail miserably at on a grand scale. I'll keep prodding local chumps to the best of my ability, and see if I can't find some more when Comicon San Diego(I believe) comes around. All in all, I'm not the zealous type, but I can be annoying enough with effort.

Thanks for all the feedback. Also, I'm way too cheap to go around buying judges, qualified though I noticed Doc may be.

[Kallen000]

the real question is has doc ever been rented and does he know about this. Maybe he is under the grand dillusion that everyone is his friend;)

[JayDubbs]

I know your pain at trying to get new players, but keep at it. They will come around sooner or later.

[doc8466]

I think I'm going to start calling Lucien "Pimp Daddy".......

;)