 The Mini-Eliminator is a "mega-buck" tournament that runs twice a year in Las Vegas. The Mini has been running for over 18 years and has paid out $25 million in prize money. The Minis usually run around The Super Bowl & July 4th week. Beginning in July, 2011 the Mini-Eliminator will be held at Strike Zone located inside Sunset Station Hotel & Casino.
The Mini-Eliminators allow bowlers from around the world to compete against each other for prizes larger than they normally bowl for at home. Over the past 18 years top prizes have ranged from a low of $10,000 to as high as $55,000. Some payouts for tournament week have exceeded over $1 million.
The Mini-Eliminator attracts bowlers of all types. If you average at least 140 in a league you will be competitive in the Handicap Divisions which is strictly "amateur only." The Scratch Divisions is for bowlers that like to bowl against the best and features two age divisions; 49 & under and seniors. Everyone is welcomed to bowl the Scratch Mini except PBA/PWBA national title holders or current exempt players.
Entry fees for the Mini-Eliminators vary each tournament but usually run $200 and $300 for your first entry with all re-entries discounted to as low as $99. Bowlers looking to package multiple entries can save money by purchasing a Marathon Entry. Entry fees can be paid by mail or on the internet prior to the event or can be purchased on-site during the tournament. Walk-ins are welcomed prior to any squad. Qualifying squads rarely shut out bowlers.
The Minis usually run approximately 5 to 7 days with qualifying squads offered each day. At the end of each tournament there is a finals with bowlers represented from each division. Bowlers earn spots in the finals by bowling in any of the qualifying squads. Each squad is a totally separate and each division advances bowlers based on a predetermined ratio.
Qualifying squads consist of 3 games and you only compete again bowlers in your division. There are two scratch divisions and two handicap divisions (215 & under/189 & under) and the ratio to the finals will run from 1 in 5 to 1 in 8 depending on the time of the squad.
If a bowler does not make the finals on their first try they can re-enter another squad and bowl again. The re-entry fee is discounted, usually by at least 30%, with some special squads offering more than a 70% discount. You can enter as many squads as you like until you make the Grand Finals. You can also cash in every squad.
Beginning in July, 2011 the Mini-Eliminator will have a Daily Finals every day that will payout thousands of dollars on the spot. All of the bowlers from the days qualifying squads will compete by division to see who wins cash and who advances to the Grand Finals. All daily finals are 3 rounds and everyone advancing through all 3 rounds earns a spot in the Grand Finals.
Beginning in July, 2011 the Mini-Eliminator will be offering "Finals Insurance" to anyone that purchases a Super Marathon Entry and fails to make the finals after bowling all of their qualifying squads. Super Marathon bowlers that don't make the Grand Finals will be invited back at no charge to a special Daily Finals. All bowlers advancing through 3 rounds will be entered into the Grand Finals and guaranteed $1,000.
When all of the qualifying squads are completed the Grand Finals will begin. Everyone making the Grand Finals is guaranteed to earn at least $1,000.
The Grand Finals uses an elimination format. This means everyone bowls 1 game and the top half in each division advances to the next round. Those eliminated receive a cash prize. The finals continue until 1 bowler is left in each division. The four remaining bowlers bowl a one game shootout to determine the top 4 places. The entire prize fund is guaranteed regardless of entries. |
