Pipe smoking tournaments are pretty inane exercises really: its more an excuse to have a big conference, show off some new pipes, and then booze it up.
The tournament itself consists of the following: Everyone who signs up gets a free pipe (this year its a Di Capo, considered the best Argentian pipe brand), which they can keep. They also get two grams of tobacco, and two matches.
At the starting time, you have two minutes to light your pipe with the two matches. After that, the matches are taken away. Then you puff away. Conversation is allowed, drinking water (nothing else) is allowed after the first ten minutes.
You have a tamper, which you can use, but no pipe cleaner.
The goal is to be the last one to have his pipe go out.
I did mention its kind of inane, but no less inane than, say, playing an RPG. Plus, its a great excuse for a piss-up and a vacation weekend.
Last year, the first time I attended, I made a reasonable showing at 41 minutes, and won a pipe. The first place winner lasted 1hour 20minutes, and won a much nicer pipe. This year, I just want to do as well or a bit better than last year. My practice runs so far have me clocking about 50 minutes, which isn't bad.
RPGPundit November 14 2005