my 3 cents
i have been a member since 2007
with over 17,000 posts....
the member only tourneys i went to were SPECIFICALLY to meet the person behind the screen name i had been interacting with for years
i dont play so good so i know i am dead money
but i am happy to contribute as i did anonymously in the past for various things
to help the site
i know steve wants to allow "newcomers" to participate to promote the site and add members
but i think the "newcomers "can pay their dues gambling with the guys that want to gamble
or play with the guys that dont gamble much like me
so that we can get to know them
i would say a
2 year participation
not membership date
and at least
60 posts
thats less than 3 a month
to prove you are "one of the guys"
then you are really a member contributing to the site
and should be included in a MEMBERS only tournament
jmho
icbw
and by the way i may not make it this year buts thats how i feel about the subject