On 15 September 2003 the first Austrian Photo Play national 'Schnapsen' championship will start with qualifying rounds on Photo Play terminals with updates I.G.O. NG 2 and NG 2 pro. The qualifying rounds will continue until 9 November 2003. The grand final game for the champions' title will be held on 29 November at the Funworld headquarters in Schörfling, Upper Austria. In Austria 'Schnapsen' is not just a simple card game but a national sport. The typically Austrian card game, for which special playing cards are used, is played in pubs as well as in private homes by all generations.
"There is a great potential for this very exclusive competition," said Funworld Austria GmbH manager, Herbert Ehmer. Operators can acquire a championships' package thereby making their players qualification for the finals possible. "It's certain that the competition will cause quite a stir in the various outlets," said Mr Ehmer. "Even before now, 'Schnapsen' was regarded as one of the top games. In the form of a nationwide contest throughout Austria, the game will have even more appeal," he said.
For eight whole weeks the 'local hero' of each specific operating location will be established. Pub owners will profit from the fact that their guests will spend more time in their outlets. "We provide pub owners with the chance of organising their own competition around the determination of the 'local heroes'," Mr Ehmer said. "To achieve optimum utilisation of these events, we recommend two to four qualifying tournaments
in the course of the championship," he said. That allows for more players to be registered for the finals on the one side, while a regular high number of players are guaranteed throughout the qualification period.
Prizes will be given away at the grand final event in Schörfling on 29 November 2003. For more information please visit
www.photoplay.com.
