I am a regular MTT player (online only), and regularly play ring games in the LA area (mostly Commerce). Have a friend visiting his family for Thanksgiving and we are looking to play in a tourney on Friday. Nothing special, we are just looking for NL holdem MTT in the $100-300 buy in range. Prefer a no rebuy tourney.

I have very limited live tourney experience (3 tourneys total, nothing over 200 players, had one reasonable cash finish). So far checking online, I can't find much tourney selection:

Commerce - Friday @ 11:00 am $194 + $25 +$6 total $225. (What's the +$6, built in tip?)

Bicycle - lists a weekly friday tourney for $100+25, but their website does not have any listings past 11/18, maybe canceled due to holidays?

If the players are the regular ones I have seen playing ring games then I'm pretty confident I can at least hold my own. But can anyone comment on the quality of play at these tourneys, expected field size, blind structures? And most importantly what time we have to show up to be assured a seat, etc? Also in the event we bust out early, does Commerce/Bike/Hustler/etc. have other sorts of tourney like small sit and goes available? While I am more into ring games, my friend visiting typically only plays MTT and SNG's. I have not even noticed where tourneys are played at Commerce on my visits, wondering if they have a smaller room with limited space or just rope off some of the regular tables.

Any input much appreciated, thanks.