what to expect in my first tournament

I plan to play in the St. Paul (Minnesota) winter open next month.  It will be my first tournament.  My only knowledge of these events is from movies like "Searching for Bobby Fischer".  So, I am looking for your advice and tips.  I'm not looking for chess advice per se, but advice like, "bring a water bottle" or something like that.  

Some specific questions:

• Do I bring my own board/pieces/clock?
• I will be in the "unrated" category.  Time controls are G90 + 30.  Realistically, how long will each game be for players at this level?
• What do you do between games?

Also, can you decipher this?  I took a crack at it below... tell me if I got it right.  Am I right to assume I would be in the unrated category of players?  Any idea what 'bantam' means?

Premier: EF $50 ($60 at site) by mail $$ b/o 30 $500, $250, U2200 $100, U2000 $100.  Reserve: (U1700):  EF $40 ($50 at site) $$ b/o 30 $250, $150, U1600 $80, U1400n $80.  Bantam: (U1200):  EF $30 ($40 at site), $$ b/o 35 $150, $100, U1000 $60, unr $60.  

All: 5-SS G/90 +30. Rds:  9:30-2:30-7; 10-3, REG Sat 8-9, NS, MC, USCF, MSCA (home state ok).  

I believe this is telling me that I would play five rounds using the Swiss system of pairing.  In each game I will have 90 minutes, plus 30 seconds for each move I make.  The games will take place at 9:30, 2:30 and 7:00 on day one, 10:00 and 3:00 on day two.  Registration on Saturday at 8am.  I have no idea what NS or MC mean, but it looks like I must join the USCF or MSCA to play.

Chess playing aside, I'd worry about the somewhat peripheral stuff, such as:

• Do I know how to set up the chess clock?
• Am I used to the time controls?
• Do I remember to record my moves on the score sheet?

G'luck.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=chess.com+first+OTB+tournament

...will bring you a lot of relevant information as well

Good luck and congratulations for playing OTB chess !

well, I wasn't expecting that.  

Here's what you can expect in your first OTB tournament: You will be pounded to dust by kids, people who appear to be sub-normal, and a not quite dead Old Father Time. I kid you not.

Looking on the positive side, it won't be so bad the second time around.

Anyway, stiff upper lip old chap, and don't let your children see you crying.

Good luck!

yup just like he said

Am I the only one that find bountyhunter82 to be a complete jerk? WTF is this? Or am I not getting it? Bruch is just looking for some friendly advice, and he gets harassed. 

Bruch, I hope you find the answers you are looking for. Good luck!

EDIT: I see now that bountyhunter82 has had his account closed.

He is gone from the site now.

Thanks Jonneca.  I thought it was an honest question.  

(I cleaned it up a bit for you - moderator)

In most US events, non-scholastic, you usually should bring your own board with pieces (tournament legal) and clock. If you don't have one, you should be fine as your opponent is likely to have both. Though you can't always count on it. Sometime the organizer/TD will also have extra but you can't count on that either.

Between games, depends on you mostly. There is often an area called the skittles room/area where you can play some casual games between rounds or even go over your previous game. What I usually do is put the game in the computer and do some analysis, if I have plenty of time. If I have an extended break, I'll eat something light and rest up a little. If I'm staying at the site, I'll go back to my room for that.

Bantam is just what they are calling the lower section, probably based on the boxing weight class, but ultimately it is just a name.

Your reading of the round times and game time control are correct. NS usually means No Smoking. I'm not sure exactly what MC is; I'm wondering if it should have been NC for No Computer?

The USCF has an abbreviation guide they use for tournament announcements. You can find a version of it on the last page of the following document:

http://www.uschess.org/images/stories/grand_prix/jan2015.pdf

That last page also has some information about playing in a USCF event. MSCA stands for Minnesota State Chess Association (not Scholastic as the rude poster said) and you will need to be a member of that organization as well as the USCF to play (unless you live in a different state and have their state association membership)

Use the time between games to rest and conserve your energy don't play bughouse or lots of blitz games have some juice or a light snack (nothing heavy)

Relax breath try not to show up to any of your games looking nervous or scared (control your emotions) your opponents will smell your fear you'll lose games without moving one single piece or pawn once the clocks start they'll be all over you.

The Winter Open is a chess tournament that is currently held in Roseville, MN, a northern suburb in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area.

It isn't always advertized in ChessLife. Most people read about it online or by word of mouth in this area. It's been on going for a number of years.

Hey Bruch you asked the following questions , here are the answers :

1.Do I bring my own board/pieces/clocks ?

Ans.Some tournaments in the U.S might ask you to bring all 3 while others ask you to bring only your clock.Contact the person who is in charge or who is hosting it he/she might give you the information.

2.Will I. Be placed in the unrated category ?

Ans.Especially if it's your first tournament you might be placed in the unrated category.

Obviously the Hastings pieces since the current tournament there ends today

Ah yeah, eh?