Social Security Number? Why?

I was recently filling out a form for an upcoming tournament and I noticed that there was a space for my social. Do I need to fill this out? Is this normal? Why?

[Jack Moore]

Thats kinda wierd, maybe it's for the pros to report winnings to the man...if your playing Ams I wouldn't give it.

[Donny Olow]

I have also been asked to fill out a W-9 form at a tournament , in case I won more than $ 500.00

[Charles Isaac]

I would not give it unless I won money and it was on a W9 anyhing else NO

[Bill Burns]

Was this for the 2010 Stolen Identity Open?

[eric beich]

Muahahaha!!!

[Cinque]

lol! Yeah, I think so. I won't fill it out. I'm only playing in the intermediate AM division so I'm not going to see any money. Thanks, everyone.

[Cinque]

ha! That's good. Let's see, "Go Get Bent" with numbers on a telephone would be 464 38 2368. Maybe I'll put that. :)

[Terry "the Pirate" Calhoun]

It's probably to ensure the TD can report to the IRS on cash winnings. I'm not a tax guy, but I think that if a club or TD pays more than $600 in cash to a player during the course of a year they should report it and provide a form. But collecting SS#s from everyone seems overkill. I would not want to be responsible for security for a lot of players' SS#s.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

Stemming from personal firsthand knowledge of some pretty f@#!^**&$% shady TD's.....I'd tell them to Kiss Your Lilly White!!!!

[Brent L]

Do not provide your info ahead of time. Only after actually winning.
Also i would think that it would be more like gambling, anything over 1299.00 (or something close to that) would need to be reported.