Overhand,
I suspect you're not telling us everything with regard to the ABT prize payout for the top five. I suspect there was a progressive pot involved, which bumped first place prize money. Based on the numbers you have posted, I suspect that there were less than 100 entries, in which case the ABC (USBC) rule requiring second place money to be at least half of first place money would not be in effect for this event. However, most ABT directors will use that rule as a guideline, even when their entries are below 100 for an event. The progressive pot money is not figured in when determining prize fund ratios, since it is a separate pot that is paid to the winner, is he/she is in it.
ABT was paying 1 in 5, with full rounding. For example, 96-100 entries would pay 20 places and 101-105 entries would pay 21. The national organization now allows branches to pay as few as 1 in 6. Some branches have gone to 1 in 6. The Chicagoland North and South divisions, where I bowl, have elected to stay with 1 in 5, but now they half-adjust (round up or down). E.g. 98-102 entries would pay 20 spots and 103-107 would pay 21.
Just to try to stay on topic, I agree with The Hose that 1 in 10 is not enough. I would also skip the event and start partying.
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RW (THB)
