Up it. I struggle to get the enthusiasm to travel for a £500 tourney. It isn't the buy in, but the loss of earnings/expenses that go with it. There are always sats/staking for those that can't afford the increase.
And make them all 3 day max too. Dragging them out to 4 days and then not even playing a full day is just ludicrous. That will do more for the part timers than the entry fee.
With the success of the tour it's impossible to make them three days as numbers dictate there has to be a Day 1A and Day 1B. If you mean three days as in Day 1A/B, Day 2 and Day 3 then in the one's that were like that this year - Cork springs to mind - the day's were far too long for all involved, I believe it was something like 11 levels on Day 1s, same on Day 2 and final day not fair on the players IMO especially at the business end of the tournament. Nottingham was even worse and should've had an extra day.
If the events were to follow the three day format as above, they'd either have to change the structure, cap the field or as per OP, up the buy-ins to reduce the numbers.
Of the events last year that ran Day 1A/B, Day 2, Day 3, final - Newcastle for instance where there was no TV - the format was eight levels on Day 1A/B & Day 2, it then took about 10 levels to get down to the final table on Day 3 and the final lasted six levels, so an average of eight levels a day, which is about right in my opinion.
As for recreational players not being able/wanting to play an event that lasts Thursday-Monday, the final 'extra' day effects a very small percentage of the field and iirc Stars gave those who made the final free hotel rooms for the night before the final.
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