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Made in cn
Blackclad Wayfarer





From England. Living in Shanghai

After missing out on a local 750pt tournament due to work I'm curious. How does everyone find the time for tournaments? I'm a teacher, that gives me a 5 day commitment to a job. I find it intriguing that people travel all over the country/world to attend these functions without interfering with jobs and other commitments.

I for one would love to attend a tourney in the states or the UK, but it's not a realistic proposition. Between the wife and work I get a few hours of gaming a week. So...how do people do it?

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Made in us
Fixture of Dakka






San Jose, CA

Lukus83 wrote:After missing out on a local 750pt tournament due to work I'm curious. How does everyone find the time for tournaments? I'm a teacher, that gives me a 5 day commitment to a job. I find it intriguing that people travel all over the country/world to attend these functions without interfering with jobs and other commitments.

I for one would love to attend a tourney in the states or the UK, but it's not a realistic proposition. Between the wife and work I get a few hours of gaming a week. So...how do people do it?

How do you find the time for weekly gaming?

I find it easier to block off one Saturday a month, than to try and get over to the game story every week. Traveling for Adepticon is my self-indulgent vacation every year. (It also helps to have a very understanding wife.)

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes? 
   
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Decrepit Dakkanaut






Mesopotamia. The Kingdom Where we Secretly Reign.

I just schedule as far in advance as humanly possible.

I have a rather busy life.

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Made in cn
Blackclad Wayfarer





From England. Living in Shanghai

Weekly gaming is easier. I go after work 1 or 2 evenings a week and meet up with the guys. Getting a week off work (or maybe more) to attend a GT seems...excessive. It's also extremely expensive.

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Made in us
Sniveling Snotling






Lukus83 wrote:Weekly gaming is easier. I go after work 1 or 2 evenings a week and meet up with the guys. Getting a week off work (or maybe more) to attend a GT seems...excessive. It's also extremely expensive.


Just depends on how you want to spend your off time. My hubby Dash and I will be going to many GTs this year. We've decided to commit the time because we have the vacation hours and this is his hobby, so why not? Most people spend money on vacations every year, this is how we choose to spend ours. Many people do the same.

As far as regular tourneys, those are easy as most are local and most are one day. We have to plan in advance for GTs, but as I say, we do because it's something he's passionate about and something I'm becoming more passionate about. Meeting people from all over (and from Dakka) that share the same hobby is illuminating and fun.

Like I said, it just depends on how you want to spend your time and money. We choose this way.

   
Made in au
Anti-Armour Swiss Guard






Newcastle, OZ

I do it by only going to two a year.
I also find out what non-gaming activities are available around/outside of the venue (wife isn't a gamer).

Compromise. I get two days to play mandollies. She gets to spend two days playing tourist or shopping.

I'm OVER 50 (and so far over everyone's BS, too).
Old enough to know better, young enough to not give a ****.

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... and yet, with strange aeons, even death may die.
 
   
Made in us
Hunter with Harpoon Laucher




Castle Clarkenstein

Lukus83 wrote:Weekly gaming is easier. I go after work 1 or 2 evenings a week and meet up with the guys. Getting a week off work (or maybe more) to attend a GT seems...excessive. It's also extremely expensive.


Most people don't do anything like that. Average GT going drives on friday, sometimes after work, sometimes taking friday off. Game Saturday and Sunday. Home Sunday night. I know a ton of people that get in GT's without skipping work on Friday or Monday. Obviously depends on where you are in the country or the world.

....and lo!.....The Age of Sigmar came to an end when Saint Veetock and his hamster legions smote the false Sigmar and destroyed the bubbleverse and lead the true believers back to the Old World.
 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Getting my broom incase there is shenanigans.

When I go to major events I take Friday off, and come back on Sunday night.

When I go to LA for a tournament it is a 6 hour drive, so I really can't do it after work, or early Saturday, and normally I fly to the East and because of the time difference you can't really fly out on the day of the event (although sometimes you can get an early flight going from east to west on the same day)

If I am flying into an event (For example BolsCon at the end of July) I take off Friday and fly out there and get settled in, and then I play on Sat and Sun and fly out Sunday night.

I only go to a few major events that I have to take the Friday off (about 4) so it is not too much of an issue either taking the Fridays off, or working a few extra hours during the week to either take the day off, or leave early. If you can't take one day off twice a year or so, I don't know what to tell you.

What I sometimes do though is spend a few extra days to do the tourist thing. I already spent the money and the time to fly somewhere, I might as enjoy it. If I go to the NOVA open I would see some sights in DC and VA.



 
   
Made in gb
Dispassionate Imperial Judge






HATE Club, East London

Maybe you could find tournaments that occur in school holidays?

   
Made in gb
Willing Inquisitorial Excruciator





England

My LGS (which is already half an hour away) dosn't do tournies becauses its too small but I plan to spend some time in my gap year doing GW tournaments(yes, there probabaly better things I could do like traval around abit but I'm happy to get a job near where I plan to study and paint models in my favourite drizzle of England). Maybe a few in Germany as well.

I'm sure you could find time to get off work if its a long way away, but if its close why not use the weekend, or get some of your friends who play it together and have your own mini tournament.
   
Made in au
Esteemed Veteran Space Marine





Australia

im so god damn lucky becuase out of every where in the city an awsome FLGS opened down the (small) hill i live on and im 14 so as long as i have no assignments im good

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Scuttling Genestealer




San Francisco

I calmly tell my life to sit a weekend out, go crazy and fly across the country with some friends and play some awesome rounds of 40k in a bar. Seems to work out well for everyone. Except my sleep patterns...

To The End.  
   
Made in cn
Blackclad Wayfarer





From England. Living in Shanghai

I feel kind of stupid now. I just attended a 750 pt tourney after a half day at work. Got 6 games in 6 hours...And am in pole position as long as 1 player (who also happens to be a close friend) loses 1 game out of his last 3.

I suppose GTs and 'Ard boys will have to wait until the wife feels comfortable letting me take time off school or I use my summer holidays as ArbitorIan suggested. Could be a while though.

This also kind of brings me to a more specific point...For larger events that span a longer period of time, how do you get time off work? Or is it all planning ahead and taking holiday leave?

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Made in us
Hunter with Harpoon Laucher




Castle Clarkenstein

Lukus83 wrote:
This also kind of brings me to a more specific point...For larger events that span a longer period of time, how do you get time off work? Or is it all planning ahead and taking holiday leave?


I tell my boss to shut the hell up, I'm taking a day or two off for a tournament, and just claim it's "work related". I also keep track of my travel expenses and food and write them off as "business related".

....and lo!.....The Age of Sigmar came to an end when Saint Veetock and his hamster legions smote the false Sigmar and destroyed the bubbleverse and lead the true believers back to the Old World.
 
   
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Fixture of Dakka






San Jose, CA

Lukus83 wrote:This also kind of brings me to a more specific point...For larger events that span a longer period of time, how do you get time off work? Or is it all planning ahead and taking holiday leave?
As Blackmoor discussed above, even higher point-value GTs are generally 2-day affairs (Adepticon is 3). But since I know the dates ~10 months in advance, I just burn a couple vacation days; I can't use them all up anyway.

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes? 
   
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[DCM]
Dankhold Troggoth






Shadeglass Maze

Janthkin wrote:How do you find the time for weekly gaming?

I find it easier to block off one Saturday a month, than to try and get over to the game story every week. Traveling for Adepticon is my self-indulgent vacation every year. (It also helps to have a very understanding wife.)


I actually have the opposite problem, like Janthkin points out- finding time for weekly gaming.

And mikhaila... aren't you your own boss? Wouldn't that involve you telling yourself to "shut the hell up"...? Or do you have another job, too? I wouldn't have believed you could run a store and do something else...
   
Made in us
Brainy Zoanthrope






West Bend WI.

It is hard. I am married and have a 13 year old daughter who want me home on the weekends. So playing in tournaments is usually the only time I do play. I rarely ever play outside this environment except the occasional Apocalypse game. I plan one big one a year(was Chicago GT now it's Adeptcon), and do a local RT every month or two. This way I still spend alot of time with the family, and it helps keep me exited about the hobby. I look forward to my next gaming day. It also doesn't hurt that I usually win something. The wife is even more forgiving if my toys are free.

8000pts.
7000pts.
5000pts.
on the way. 
   
Made in gy
Sybarite Swinging an Agonizer





Sorry dude, hell is freezing over before Candy will allow you a long weekend to spend gaming overseas.

2008 UK GT Heat 3 - 2nd (Eldar)
2008 Dutch GT - 2nd best general (Eldar)
2008 Irish GT - 2nd (Eldar)
2010 Shanghai LGS - 1st (IG)
2011 Shanghai LGS - 1st (IG)
 
   
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Agile Revenant Titan




Florida

I plan out 1 or 2 Saturdays a month to game with buddies. For weekend long tournaments, I let my wife know well in advance and see if it is workable. If so, great; if not... But, my wife's never been the issue when missing tourneys; that's typically my job.

No earth shattering, thought provoking quote. I'm just someone who was introduced to 40K in the late 80's and it's become a lifelong hobby. 
   
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Boosting Ultramarine Biker



Saco, ME

I have carte blanche for my once-a-month turnament at the local shop. It's always the third Saturday of the month, so it's easy to schedule around. My wife allows me that small indulgence

I've also started travelling a few hundred miles for the occasional out-of-state event. I attended a DorkaMorka tourney in March, and will be hitting the Boston Brawl in two weeks.
This is trickier. I have to plan a little in advance, and save some of my monthly hobby allowance for entry fees and hotel expenses. The Brawl is a two-day event, and the first-ever multi-day tourney I'll have been to. I have a $200/month hobby allowance, so half of that will go to the hotel this month!

Of course, I have a salaried job with a good number of vacation days every year. Taking a Friday off is no huge deal. Probably MUCH harder for folks who can't ask for days off, or work an hourly wage.

 
   
Made in us
Awesome Autarch






Las Vegas, NV

I am self employed and single, so it is easy for me!

For GT's we usually just leave the morning before, stay one night and drive back the evening after the GT is over. It is no big deal, and we keep it cheap.

It's just like anything in life, if you really want to do it you will find a way to make it happen. I do endurance sports as my other hobby, and it is the same way. You have to get up early, get yourself where you need to be and then get back.

Just about finding the time do to something that is important to you, I guess.

   
Made in ca
War Walker Pilot with Withering Fire





Behind you

Working is hard isn't it luke?

When I get old enough I will try to find a job at GW,that would be fun,playing and working at the exact same place,and lots of friends around

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Made in us
Been Around the Block






I am a teacher, like you, and I do most of my tournament gaming in the summer! Bolscon and plenty of other major tournaments take place then! I also get about one tournament a month in on Saturdays. For weekends, you just have to schedule it early and make sure your spouse knows about the committment.


 
   
Made in us
Focused Dark Angels Land Raider Pilot





585NY

1. quit your life
2. travel around to every tournament in whatever country you are in.
3. play and be happy.

 
   
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[DCM]
Tilter at Windmills






Manchester, NH

Many working adults I know from the tournament scene have a significantly easier time scheduling the occasional Saturday for a one-day tournament, and the occasional weekend for a GT, than they do finding time for regular weekly gaming.

As noted, you don’t even need to take any days off work for most GTs. Drive or fly over Friday evening, play Sat, play Sun, usually wrap up between 4pm & 6pm, so you have plenty of time to get home before going back to work Monday morning.

Adepticon 2015: Team Tourney Best Imperial Team- Team Ironguts, Adepticon 2014: Team Tourney 6th/120, Best Imperial Team- Cold Steel Mercs 2, 40k Championship Qualifier ~25/226
More 2010-2014 GT/Major RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 78-20-9 // SW: 8-1-2 (Golden Ticket with SW), BA: 29-9-4 6th Ed GT & RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 36-12-2 // BA: 11-4-1 // SW: 1-1-1
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A better way to score Sportsmanship in tournaments
The 40K Rulebook & Codex FAQs. You should have these bookmarked if you play this game.
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Alluring Sorcerer of Slaanesh





Union, Kentucky United States

I am on the same page as mannaheim except I generally for kicks fly out early on friday so I take the day off. More often then not a person can practically make it to two maybe three major event a year. The closer some are= the more you will make. As such my plans personally are Adepticon, Historicon, and if I can Mechanicon/saintvalentines day Massacre, plus Games day every year. Saddly this year I will only have mad adepticon, historicon and games day!

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Tilter at Windmills






Manchester, NH

The last few years for me have been Adepticon (flying) and the Baltimore GT (the last couple of times they ran it), both of those flying. And driving to the Colonial, Crossroads, and Conflict Indy WH GTs. I generally worked Friday for the Baltimore GTs, as it’s a quick flight from Manchester, and flew back Sunday night. Adepticon I take Friday off and fly out Thursday night. The ones I drive to are fairly distant, and so I usually carpool and take Friday off. All of them I normally come back Sunday night, though, so I can be at work as usual on Monday.

Adepticon 2015: Team Tourney Best Imperial Team- Team Ironguts, Adepticon 2014: Team Tourney 6th/120, Best Imperial Team- Cold Steel Mercs 2, 40k Championship Qualifier ~25/226
More 2010-2014 GT/Major RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 78-20-9 // SW: 8-1-2 (Golden Ticket with SW), BA: 29-9-4 6th Ed GT & RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 36-12-2 // BA: 11-4-1 // SW: 1-1-1
DT:70S++++G(FAQ)M++B++I+Pw40k99#+D+++A+++/sWD105R+++T(T)DM+++++
A better way to score Sportsmanship in tournaments
The 40K Rulebook & Codex FAQs. You should have these bookmarked if you play this game.
The Dakka Dakka Forum Rules You agreed to abide by these when you signed up.

Maelstrom's Edge! 
   
Made in us
Sinewy Scourge





Bothell, WA

I get 1 night a week for myself and I choose to game. The 6 other nights I do whatever she wants to do. Then when I travel for GT's I take here and go do touristy stuff for a couple days, she likes that. It also burns through vacation time, which I can't carry over from year to year.

I also usually do painting wen she is off with her girlfriends, working late, sick, or out of town.

I can understand those who have kids not being able to spend as much time gaming, but most people can end up freeing up a weekend a month if they have any sort of time management.

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Manhunter




Eastern PA

i work in the morning, mon-fri. so my day is unspoiled. i am a student, so summers are great for me. i have a very understanding wife that lets me travel for gaming and even buys me models. i have no kids either.

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