The Lottery is live!

[luciouslil]

Pretzel,  Although your analogy of 30 people trying for 10 tickets each does not appear to be an option, you still hit the nail on the head.  Those 30 people in that large group likely all tried for 4 tickets each.  Only 8 of them need to hit the jackpot and they will still have 2 extra tickets.   My group has 4 people and we would submit one entry for the 4 tickets we need, not 4 entries trying for a total of 16 tickets.  It skews the lottery but I guess that is how the game is played.   It's human nature to boost your chances by entering as many times as possible.   Then when the group ends up with extra tickets, they can share them with their other friends that weren't successful.  So, if I want those tickets bad enough, I need play like the big boys play....or get a great condo.

[aftermidnight]

My experience proves that you don't. Be true to yourself. Don't perpetuate the problems you are pointing to.

[FaceOnMars]

My experience proves that you don't. Be true to yourself. Don't perpetuate the problems you are pointing to.

I'm with you, and also play fair (not that what anyone has done is unfair) to the point of my own "detriment" in most respects in life.   I'm sure others are in the same boat as far as this philosophy, which I believe also perpetuates the situation via increased odds for those who leverage their camp's numbers and then receive positive reinforcement for their actions (which again, is not anything against the rules).

Given the presence of the family campground and the probable low count of families (3+) in TP & WF, I would suggest lowering the max ticket allotment to only two tickets per person.

Then again, I don't see PB making any movement on this ... for a number of reasons.

[rettlerSCI]

My experience proves that you don't. Be true to yourself. Don't perpetuate the problems you are pointing to.

I'm with you, and also play fair (not that what anyone has done is unfair) to the point of my own "detriment" in most respects in life.   I'm sure others are in the same boat as far as this philosophy, which I believe also perpetuates the situation via increased odds for those who leverage their camp's numbers and then receive positive reinforcement for their actions (which again, is not anything against the rules).

Given the presence of the family campground and the probable low count of families (3+) in TP & WF, I would suggest lowering the max ticket allotment to only two tickets per person.

Then again, I don't see PB making any movement on this ... for a number of reasons.

I thought the ticket allotment was 2 every year up until this year, but I may be wrong.

[FaceOnMars]

I thought the ticket allotment was 2 every year up until this year, but I may be wrong.

I do not know, have only been flirting with the idea of actually getting a camping pass this past year ... so haven't paid attention.

[BillyBeru]

EXTRA, EXTRA: extract from the Telluride Daily Planet, 11/20/2013

"Big Camps conspire to subvert fair lotto.

Yes, the same big camps that bring in 100'x100' tarps, drink all the New Belgium beer by 12pm, eat all the flank steak, buy all the NightGrass tickets, use all the porta-potties, buy all the good t-shirts, are now are the only ones who get to camp in TP. They are evil and should be drawn and quartered."

SERENITY NOW! SERENITY NOW!

[completejohn]

If the "big camp conspiracy" really worked, we wouldn't see postings like "Camps Need Tickets!" every year.  Sometimes ya get lucky, and sometimes you have to check the forum over and over and over hoping to be the first person who sees an available ticket become available. 

At this time of year, tickets don't seem to move much, but as the fest draws near, they DO pop up.  I know because I've scored tickets that way many times!

Maybe PB should switch things up:  move the camping to the ball field and have the concert it Town Park!

[IMHBTR]

As a 30 year concert attendee in many states and
all size of venues, where there is desire and effort,
there is almost always a ticket to be had. And I don't mean
deep pockets even though 300+ is the most I have
ever paid for a ticket. Worth it by the way. The system
works just fine. I camped with 20 year veterans who
Have won lottery only a couple of times. They just do as
Completejohn said, troll the boards and throw feelers
out there and accomplish their goal for the ticket price.
Conspiracy, pfffft.
I say move the show to the community pool
and have a big pool party.

[Debbiefromtucson]

It appears that most of the big camps have struck out as evenly as most this year....

And the suggestion of 2 per person- how does that work with families?????  and there are many, many families in Town Park BTW.

[BillyBeru]

It appears that most of the big camps have struck out as evenly as most this year....

And the suggestion of 2 per person- how does that work with families?????  and there are many, many families in Town Park BTW.

I don't think the suggestor of the 2 ticket limit has ever actually camped there so consider that, Debbie. Suggestor, please correct if I misspoke.

[FaceOnMars]

EXTRA, EXTRA: extract from the Telluride Daily Planet, 11/20/2013

"Big Camps conspire to subvert fair lotto.

Yes, the same big camps that bring in 100'x100' tarps, drink all the New Belgium beer by 12pm, eat all the flank steak, buy all the NightGrass tickets, use all the porta-potties, buy all the good t-shirts, are now are the only ones who get to camp in TP. They are evil and should be drawn and quartered."

SERENITY NOW! SERENITY NOW!

You forgot about using up all the sweet & sour source for the spinach and cream cheese wontons ... it's an awful feeling when you're stuck at the register and must decide if you really want peanut peanut sauce instead.

If I told you all that went down It would burn off both your ears.

[FaceOnMars]

It appears that most of the big camps have struck out as evenly as most this year....

And the suggestion of 2 per person- how does that work with families?????  and there are many, many families in Town Park BTW.

I don't think the suggestor of the 2 ticket limit has ever actually camped there so consider that, Debbie. Suggestor, please correct if I misspoke.

No Billy, I have not camped in TP for Bluegrass.  However, having lived in the area since '94, I've spent plenty of time with friends hanging out and/or pickin' prior to the Wed lockdown.   Heck, I even helped put a tarp down for TP friends last year who weren't able to make it until later than they planned.   

As to families:  sure they exist in TP, but from my observations the great majority of people are not.  Certainly not looking to alienate families by any stretch.  In fact, I would MUCH welcome an increased demographic on this front.  However, I think keeping the 4-ticket limit in tact just for families is a case of the tail wagging the dog vs. opening up field to a greater number of people ... especially in light of the existence of the family campground.  Perhaps, PB could institute a 2 ticket max plus the equivalent of a "child on your lap" type passage which airlines would grant to parents with kids.  Just another suggestion.

[BillyBeru]

FOM, I know you are trying to help but I disagree with your proposed changes (again).

I trust PB on this - they have the ticket request detail.

You anecdotally say there are not many families (unless you did a spot check of the entire campground to determine the family %'s), how do you know?

Also,  how can you say that large groups/people who request 4 are the problem? (one person on this board was a braggard about their group buying collective - do not indict all large groups). Where is your evidence?

Full disclosure - I am part of a large group that camps together - it doesn't  mean we bloody conspire our ticket strategies! I only put in for 2 tickets and I did not win. Most people in my group either put in for 1 or 2.

Also, some of my friends can't afford to to buy 4 tickets at once anyway.

But some people do want 4 - screw the families? NO WAY!



 Listening to: We're not gonna take it - Twisted Sister

[Hot Sugar]

FOM, I know you are trying to help but I disagree with your proposed changes (again).

I trust PB on this - they have the ticket request detail.

You anecdotally say there are not many families (unless you did a spot check of the entire campground to determine the family %'s), how do you know?

Also,  how can you say that large groups/people who request 4 are the problem? (one person on this board was a braggard about their group buying collective - do not indict all large groups). Where is your evidence?

Full disclosure - I am part of a large group that camps together - it doesn't  mean we bloody conspire our ticket strategies! I only put in for 2 tickets and I did not win. Most people in my group either put in for 1 or 2.

Also, some of my friends can't afford to to buy 4 tickets at once anyway.

But some people do want 4 - screw the families? NO WAY!

I'm a member of said group, and I was only able to put in for one, and lost. As I did last year. And the year before that. And all you need to do is walk down by the river to find a whole mess of families. They tend to do their best to avoid spots known for late night picking and drinking and socializing, so it can be hard to miss them if that's all you're in Town Park to do.

 Listening to: Head for the Hills

[FaceOnMars]

Billy, I'm certainly not looking to cast blame on anyone for simply following the rules as they exist.  Nor did I say that every camp does this.  Regardless, it's clearly the way to go to maximize the odds if you're in a large group and in reality, I wouldn't see why large groups wouldn't take this route.   Maybe it takes a few days to get the extra $900 from your friends which you put on your card.

No, I don't have an accurate head count on families in TP & I have absolutely no doubt they're there ... but I just don't think it's anything over-the-top where it couldn't be handled in another way.  If there were to be a two ticket limit, there could easily be an allotment of "family add-ons" ... which would allow a wristband to be placed on 2 additional children (or maybe other family relaions) at the box office for an additional fee.   Or, have a separate sub-lottery just for TP/WF families.

So, it's a little more work for PB ... tack on a small fee to cover the time.  I just think demand across the board gotten to the point to warrant greater efforts to shuffle the deck re: all highly valued access points throughout the festival.

In any case, I'm not going to get worked up about it.