SIKESTON - So, you think you're a real estate trading genius? Whether you prefer the little dog, the race car or an old flat iron, Wende Pruden and the Sikeston Optimist Club need you Saturday.
"It's our 21st Annual Monopoly Tournament," said Pruden, tournament chairperson.
Although it sounds like a marathon event, the tournament lasts only a little over three hours as tournament rules are used.
Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, the tournament is the main fund-raiser for the Sikeston Optimists.
Proceeds from the tournament primarily benefit the Optimists' "Shoes for Needy Children Project" which puts shoes on the feet of over 200 underprivileged Southeast Missouri children each year along with other Optimist youth projects. "It all stays pretty much in Sikeston," said Pruden.
The cost of replenishing the shoe supply each year runs between $2,500 and $3,000, according to the Optimists.
"We ask for players to get sponsors," said Pruden. The minimum amount to play, $150, has not gone up since the event's first year.
Many players are able to exceed the minimum. "Good Humor-Breyers had done a fabulous job of raising money," said Pruden, with $400 already gathered for this year.
In addition to gathering money for a worthy cause, players are guaranteed a lot of fun and excitement.
There will be door prizes provided by Hasbro as well as prizes for the person with the most sponsors and the person collecting the most sponsorship donations.
"Some people come and play for a good time and others play because they're real Monopoly enthusiasts," said Pruden. She noted that the play is faster-paced that many people are used to for Monopoly, and some players can be ruthless in their negotiations.
"It adds a degree of stress," agreed Ron Creed, Optimist. "Once the dice are rolled, that's it."
The tournament begins with a 90-minute preliminary round of tournament-style Monopoly. "We try to have six tables," said Pruden. "We have to have a minimum of 24 players to be sanctioned by Hasbro." Up to 40 players may participate.
Winners of the preliminary round are awarded prizes and go on to compete in the 90-minute final round.
The winner of this round, the tournament winner, will have a choice of a grand prize and may qualify for the next national tournament in 2003.
Every couple of years Hasbro holds national and international events by selecting from local tournament winners, Pruden explained, based on their final points.
One Sikeston Monopoly tournament winner was invited to participate in the last national tournament held in 1999 at Las Vegas.
Some things have changed over the many years the tournament has been held in Sikeston. "It used to be real formal," said Pruden. Creed recalls people renting tuxedos for the event. Recent tournaments have been somewhat more casual and players come in all ages.
But for many years one thing has remained the same: "It's for all the youth here," said Creed.
Anyone interested in entering the tournament and helping Sikeston area youth should contact Pruden at 472-2761 or 472-5452 to obtain a player's kit.