Expert: - 4/5/2009

Question
I have just completed my first tourney.  I was asked last minute to join a team for a tourney that consisted of 3-3-3 format Team-doubles-single.  I played with one guy I bowl with every week(Who asked me) and 2 random players.  There was also 2 other teams that we knew bowling in the tourney.  This was a USBC handicap tourney.  To the point, I took 3rd in singles and was in 1st for doubles but ended up tied for 3rd-4th.  We didn't fair well in team.  Out of the blue a member one of the other teams congratulates me and says good thing someone did well.  At least we'll get some of our money back.  I was confused to say the least.  Nobody mentioned splitting winnings, much less with 12 people.  Now had someone mentioned this to me prior to the tourney I would have probably agreed.  However, no mention was made until they found out I was in the money.   Is this a common practice amongst bowlers?  Now 4 of my league mates were bowling in this tourney on the other 2 teams so even now I would have no problem splitting with them, but I don't even know six of this people and will have little chance of bowling with them again.  I ask because they made it seem as if this was some kind of unspoken rule of tourney bowling.

Answer
Jason,
Some teams play the way you've mentioned. But, it would be common to mention the planned sharing of prize money to a new tourney team member. Ask the guys you know from league if this is the norm for the group?

If you'd like to play with them again, suggest to the guy who invited you that you'd gladly share some or all of your winnings, but you'd like your buy in (entry fees) deducted first because nothing was said. Put him in the position of deciding if it's fair to ask you to share when the plan wasn't explained to you in advance.

Thanks for the questions.