2013 BCAPL National Championships @
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Q&As (Questions & Answers)

Q. Will the 2012 nationals be held at the Riviera?
A. Yes. The 2012 BCAPL National Championships will be held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, May 9-20, 2012. This will be the 18th year the Riviera has played host to the BCAPL nationals. The first year was 1995, and the last year will be 2012.

Q. And, the 2013 BCAPL nationals will be held at the Rio?
A. Yes, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Feel free to explore the official Rio website to see what they have to offer – CLICK HERE FOR THE RIO

Q. What are the dates in 2013?
A. The 2013 BCAPL National Championships will be held Wednesday, July 17 to Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the Rio.

Q. What about 2014 and beyond?
A. The 2014 nationals will be held July 16-26, 2014 at the Rio. We expect future years to be held at the Rio also.

Q. Why did you change the dates to July?
A. The July dates are generally better for all: participants, families and employers, local leagues, host locations, and League Operators.

• Starting in 2013, local BCA Pool Leagues can play longer spring sessions – all the way to the end of May.
• BCAPL players and teams will be able to play in more state, provincial, and regional tournaments during March, April, May, and even June, and still be able to travel to nationals.
• A longer spring session allows more time for players to qualify for nationals. It also gives players, teams, League Operators, and the BCAPL more time to enter and certify national entries.
• Many BCAPL leagues are dual sanctioned with VNEA, and now players can participate in more state, regional, and national championships for both BCAPL and VNEA.
• Survey respondents said that our perennial interference with Mother’s Day was a problem, especially for women players that are mothers.
• Last, but not least – many of our survey respondents said that July is much better than May for time away from work and home, especially for those who have school age children.

While July may not be an ideal month for some people, the overwhelming majority of participants and league supporters do benefit. This move is long overdue, and we again thank the players who participated in our survey.

Q. Will the BCAPL league year end on July 31, when the nationals move to July in 2013?

A. The BCAPL league year will not change.  The qualifying league year will end May 31, and the new league year will begin June 1, as always.  The May 31 deadline will allow players and teams an extra 6 to 7 weeks to qualify for the championships through league play and still meet the late entry deadline.  More time will also be available for League Operators and CSI to process entries and certify eligibility.

Q. What will the room rates be?
A. Room rates will be finalized about one year in advance of the event, but rest assured that the average room rate will be similar to other large pool and dart tournaments.

Q. Why do I see rooms at the Rio for $269 or more on some weekends?
A.  Regular open room rates in Las Vegas depend on supply and demand, and our group rates will be better than the average room rates for the Rio, per our agreement.  Do not be alarmed if you see Rio rates advertised in the $200 plus range at other times … the Riviera charges that much on certain busy weekends also.  Las Vegas room rates dropped when the economy tanked in 2008, and have been edging up ever since.  We will have to see what the next several months bring before we can make any announcements on the group room rates.  Please stay tuned.

Q. Will there be any special discount packages for Rio room guests?
A. Yes. We have discussed a variety of discounts, such as 2 for 1 drink specials at Rio bars, etc. Discount packages are standard fare at Caesars properties, and ours will be finalized closer to the event. And, don’t forget the “Buffet of Buffets,” the “All Stage Pass,” and the “All Night Pass” packages below.

Q. Are there any resort fees?
A. No. Caesars properties do not charge hidden room fees, such as resort fees.

Q. Will we have to pay extra for a third and fourth person staying in the room.
A. No. Room rates in the BCAPL group room block will be the same, whether the reservation is single, double, triple, or quad.

Q. What does the Rio mean when they say it is an all-suite hotel?
A. From the Rio web site: Every room is a suite at the Rio! The Rio hosts more than 2,500 suites, providing spectacular views of Las Vegas. Every suite offers more than 600 square feet of spacious luxury, including a separate dressing area, couch, 32-inch TV, table with chairs, hairdryer, in-suite refrigerator, iron, ironing board and complimentary in-suite safe.  Some regular suites have sleeper beds, and can comfortably accomodate 6 people.

Q. I have heard that our dog can stay with us at the Rio. Is that true?
A. Yes. The Rio rolls out the red carpet for traveling dogs. For the Rio PetStay Las Vegas web page … CLICK HERE

Q. You say that the Rio is a Caesars property. What does that mean?
A. The Rio is one of the 8 major hotel/casino properties operated by the parent corporation, known as Caesars Entertainment. The properties make joint promotions and discount packages available to hotel guests (see below). The Caesars Las Vegas hotel/casinos are:

• Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
• Caesars Palace
  
• Paris Las Vegas
  
• Bally’s Las Vegas
  
• Flamingo Las Vegas
  
• Harrah’s Las Vegas
  
• Imperial Palace
  
• Planet Hollywood
  

Q. What is the scoop on the all-access “Buffet of Buffets” pass?
A. This is an all-access pass, valid for 24 hours, at any of the participating buffets in the Caesars properties. Currently, the pass includes the following buffets:

• Carnival World Buffet (Rio)
• Lago Buffet (Caesars)
  
• Spice Market Buffet (Planet Hollywood)
  
• Le Village Buffet (Paris)
  
• Paradise Garden Buffet (Flamingo)
  
• Flavors Buffet (Harrah’s)
  
• Emperor’s Buffet (Imperial Palace)
  

For more information – CLICK HERE

Q. How about the “All Stage Pass”?
A. This is currently a $119 ($99 with Total Rewards card) pass that provides access to any of the many participating shows. Currently there are 20 shows participating – CLICK HERE

Q. Are there more packages that include the other Caesars hotels?
A. Yes. There is currently an “All Night Pass,” which provides access to 7 nightclubs for $45:

• VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub (Rio)
  
• Pure Nightclub (Caesars)
  
• Chateau Nightclub & Gardens (Paris)
  
• Gallery Nightclub (Planet Hollywood)
  
• Pussycat Dolls Lounge (Caesars)
  
• Crown Nightclub (Rio)
  
• Carnival Court (Harrah’s)
  

For more information – CLICK HERE

Q. Caesars is in the center of the best area of the strip.  How far is it from Rio to Caesars?
A. The distance from the Rio entrance to Caesars is about .75 mile, the same or less than the distance from the Riviera to Wynn.  The walk from the Rio entrance to the Palms is .5 miles.  The Palms is one of the coolest spots in Vegas, with much to offer, including a terrific 14 cinema theatre, with IMAX.

Q. How does the free shuttle to the strip work?
A. The FREE shuttles leave from the west entrance of the casino, just outside of the Carnival World Buffet. They leave every 15 to 30 minutes from 10am to 1am daily, and run exclusively between three stops: Rio, Paris/Bally’s, and Harrahs. 

The Palms (.5 mile west of Rio) has free shuttle service too, with a schedule to the Fashion Show Mall (across from the Wynn) and the Forum Shops (connected to Caesars).

 

 

 

About the Rio

The Rio is a 4 star all-suite hotel that offers extensive amenities and entertainment options. Providing spectacular views of Las Vegas, the hotel boasts over 2,500 suites. Every suite offers more than 600 square feet of spacious luxury. For those who wish or need to bring the family pet, the Rio is highly pet friendly with its unique program called PetStay.

To satisfy guests’ pallets, when it comes to dining the Rio is unparalleled. According to USA Today Travel 2011 report the Rio’s Carnival World Buffet and the famous 5 star Village Seafood Buffet are ranked #2 and #3 in the top 5 buffets in Las Vegas. Additionally, the Rio offers 12 more dining options from the casual to the opulent.

Gaming at the Rio is world-class. Known as the long time home of the World Series of Poker, the facility has more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,200 slot and video poker machines and over 80 table games.

When it is time to relax, the Rio Spa and Salon offers a full range of services to help you look and feel your best. What better way to chill in the summer after running a few racks then spending time at the unique Rio pool area. VooDoo Beach features real sand beaches, cascading waterfalls, four swimming pools and five Jacuzzi-style spas. Admission is complementary for all Rio guests and poolside cabanas, daybeds and waterside massages are available. For the golfers out there, Caesars Entertainment guests enjoy preferred access to the Rio Secca and Casacata Golf Courses. Casacata is ranked one of the top 100 modern courses in America by Golf Week Magazine.

In addition to being a full resort and casino, the Rio also has an extensive shopping area offering such stores as Harley Davidson, Michael Godard Art Gallery and Store, and 16 other specialty shops featuring clothing, accessories and fine gifts. To top off the evening, head to the VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub, an indoor/outdoor double-decker club known for one of the best views of Las Vegas.