The 47th Annual O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships consists of two competitions of punning in downtown Austin, Texas. You may sign up as a contestant for either or both contests by registering for a free ticket for each event. Limit: 1 entry per person per contest.
Due to the overwhelming popularity and enthusiasm for the O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships, registration will be based on a lottery system, allowing you to sign up any time during a 48-hour period. (If you got a punoff medal/trophy in the last 3 years, you still need a lottery ticket for each event you want, but we'll guarantee your spot. See the FAQ below.)
The registration web site will open at noon, Central Daylight Time (CDT) on Monday, April 1st, and will close at noon CDT on Wednesday, April 3rd.
Your ticket entitles you to participate in a random lottery to determine who will actually compete. To participate in both contests, you must obtain two different tickets. You can "buy" both free tickets in one transaction.
Eventbrite will send you an email confirmation that your entry has been accepted. This will NOT be a confirmation that you will be in the event, which will come later. Everyone who registers between April 1st noon and April 3rd noon will participate in the lotteries. The top 32 in each lottery will get a place in the contest. The rest will be rank-ordered on a stand-by waiting list, to obtain a position if people drop out.
Sometime between April 3rd and April 5th, we will send you an email stating that you are either officially in the competition or on the waiting list.
NOTE: To cut down on no-shows, we will also contact lottery winners at least once between the lottery notification and the event. We will ask for confirmation that you are really coming, so please respond to these queries, or you may be dropped from the list. So, if you didn't give us a good phone # or email, we will likely drop you.
Waiting List. Over time, until the day of the event, you will be notified via email if you have been moved from the waiting list to the competitors list. You will at that point have 24 hours to respond that you plan to compete. If you do not respond, you will be moved to the bottom of the waiting list.
On the day of the event, bring your ID and we will complete your registration.
Description of the 2 contests:
Punniest of Show is usually a collection of prepared and rehearsed material incorporating strings of puns and wordplay on a theme (the audience can get) performed within 90 seconds (plus 30-second grace period). Often it will feature costumes, props, music, and even multiple punsters. While our judge panel is “trained” to appreciate and reward true puns, they tend to be more tolerant of fringe wordplay and mere double entendre in this event, especially with favorable audience groans.
The Punslingers competition is conducted as a tournament and requires improvised quips on a randomly selected topic. While it is possible to practice and rehearse for this event, it involves a tremendous amount of thinking on one’s feet and a very quick tongue. Not every pun perpetrator is able to summon up disgrace under fire.
Note: You do not need a ticket to watch the event. The event is free and open to the whole community.
Frequently asked questions
Why are you doing a lottery?
After the entire contest filled up in less than 10 minutes in 2015, we felt that the prior system was unfair to people who couldn't get to a web connection right at noon. It rewarded those with fast internet connections and flexible work schedules.
How will you run the lotteries?
They will be run by a computer randomization of the contestant names. Each lottery will be independent, so you may win entry into either or both contests, depending on what you registered for. We wil contact you letting you know whether you're in or out.
What if I'm a past winner?
If you are a prior winner (1st, 2nd, 3rd, MMMVP) in the last 3 years, you will get a guaranteed spot, but you must still register for a lottery ticket, so we know that you intend to come and have your current contact information.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
No. If you need to drop out, please contact us, and your place will go to the next person on the waiting list.
What about that cool dinner the night before?
You're invited! Check out https://punoff.com for details.
