Home Poker Tournament

FernandPoker · Dec 30, 2018

Hello everyone,

Firstly, I do apologize for any mistakes about where to start a new thread. I'm new, and I'm not sure it's a good idea to start a new thread about this subject since there are lots.

I would like to hold a poker tournament next week at home, but I don't really know how to. I've got a few questions about the stacks, chip denominations, blind levels duration. Around 8-9 people will come over, and I want it to last about 3 hours. I've got 500 chips from 5 different colors. No re-buys.
Concerning the chips values, I was thinking of 1-5-25-100 (the last colored chip wouldn't be useful?). Should each player have 100BB at the beginning or would it be too much considering the length of 3 hours ? What about the blind levels ? 20 or 30 min ? And what would the schedule be like ? 1-2/2-5/5-10/... ?

Thank you in advance for each answer ! I do apologize too for my english since it is not my mother tongue.

Have a great Sunday, and a happy New Year in advance to everyone !

Fernand

Debi · Dec 30, 2018

This is an amazing guide:

How to Organize a Home Poker Tournament

mtl mile end · Dec 30, 2018

Debi said:
This is an amazing guide:

How to Organize a Home Poker Tournament

Bad link?

This one works:
https://www.cardschat.com/organize-home-game.php

FernandPoker - if you have questions after reading the article, post them here and I and others will be happy to help.

Main structure tips: Do not use antes (the article lists antes, but it's unnecessarily difficult for a first tourney). Article also uses T25 as smallest chip, so convert as necessary for T1. To make a three hour tourney, make the Big Blind amount equal to about 5% of total chips in play at the three hour mark (you will have to consider Re-Buys or Add-Ons if you have them).

FernandPoker · Dec 30, 2018

mtl mile end said:
Bad link?

This one works:
https://www.cardschat.com/organize-home-game.php

FernandPoker - if you have questions after reading the article, post them here and I and others will be happy to help.

Main structure tips: Do not use antes (the article lists antes, but it's unnecessarily difficult for a first tourney). Article also uses T25 as smallest chip, so convert as necessary for T1. To make a three hour tourney, make the Big Blind amount equal to about 5% of total chips in play at the three hour mark (you will have to consider Re-Buys or Add-Ons if you have them).

Thank you for your replies ! The guide helped me a lot.
One last question mtl mile end :
If for example I choose to setup the chips as following : White : 1 / Black : 5 / Green : 20 / Red : 100, and I want everyone to have 100 BB at the beginning. Is it useful to give each one one red chip, or should I only put this chip into the game when the blind level is higher (20-40 for example) ?
As for the blind level, I had this in mind (every level would last 30 min) :
1-2
2-5
5-10
10-20
20-40
50-100
Everyone would start with 200 (100x2), and we will be 9, and so 100/(9x200) x 100 = 5.5 % which suits your answer !
Great evening!

Fernand

martina pinto · Dec 30, 2018

the best games are those that are made at home

Unashamed88 · Dec 30, 2018

FernandPoker said:
Thank you for your replies ! The guide helped me a lot.
One last question mtl mile end :
If for example I choose to setup the chips as following : White : 1 / Black : 5 / Green : 20 / Red : 100, and I want everyone to have 100 BB at the beginning. Is it useful to give each one one red chip, or should I only put this chip into the game when the blind level is higher (20-40 for example) ?
As for the blind level, I had this in mind (every level would last 30 min) :
1-2
2-5
5-10
10-20
20-40
50-100
Everyone would start with 200 (100x2), and we will be 9, and so 100/(9x200) x 100 = 5.5 % which suits your answer !
Great evening!

Fernand

I think it would be a good idea to do a "Color up" and introduce your red chips at the start of the 20-40 blind level. That would be a fun and good idea. And will give your home game a professional feel

FernandPoker · Dec 30, 2018

Unashamed88 said:
I think it would be a good idea to do a "Color up" and introduce your red chips at the start of the 20-40 blind level. That would be a fun and good idea. And will give your home game a professional feel

Thanks for your answer. I read somewhere about it, and thought it was a great idea too. What do you think about the blind levels ? Would it be okay ? And also concerning the chips, should I use 4 or 5 different chips ?

animalitymk3 · Dec 30, 2018

I would mimic the casinos and the tournaments online. A starting stack could be anywhere from 1500 to 3000 with blinds of 5-10 or 10-20 from what I remember. The casino colors are roughly the same everywhere with the 1 dollar chips as blue, 5 dollar red, 10 dollar yellow i think and 100 black. For a 3 hour game I would probably just slow the blinds differently from one you would get in an online tournament. start with a good amount for everyone but you want people to feel pressure in knowing that the blinds raise a certain amount of time so that they need to make timely decisions.

mtl mile end · Dec 30, 2018

FernandPoker said:
Thank you for your replies ! The guide helped me a lot.
One last question mtl mile end :
If for example I choose to setup the chips as following : White : 1 / Black : 5 / Green : 20 / Red : 100, and I want everyone to have 100 BB at the beginning. Is it useful to give each one one red chip, or should I only put this chip into the game when the blind level is higher (20-40 for example) ?
As for the blind level, I had this in mind (every level would last 30 min) :
1-2
2-5
5-10
10-20
20-40
50-100
Everyone would start with 200 (100x2), and we will be 9, and so 100/(9x200) x 100 = 5.5 % which suits your answer !
Great evening!

Fernand

I was trying to answer this while multi-tabling. It wasn't working.

You are a quick study. Your plan sounds pretty good. However, the blind levels that you listed would result in an end at 2:30 or sooner (most likely). The tourney will tend to end when the blinds reach 5%, not after you have played a level of the blinds at 5%. A simple solution would be to start everyone with T300 (10X T1, 10X T5, 7X T20, and 1X T100). Bear in mind that the tourney will probably end sooner than the BB=5% of total mark. Having the blinds reach this level means the game almost has to end soon since no one left has more than 20BB.

Be aware that you are using non traditional (cash) colours for your chips (which doesn't matter at all), as well as non traditional denominations (T25 would be typical, T20 is unusual). Using your proposed structure, T20 can work, but it means no “chip up” to get rid of the T5 chips until level 5 is completed. Also, be aware that someone may complain that the chips are T20 and not T25. If you use T25 instead of T20, then you would have to adjust the starting stacks to an odd number like T360, T335, or T310.

At the end of the first hour, you can “chip up” (remove) the T1's. Replace them by giving someone a T100 for change and then replace all the T1's using round up* or chip race*. At the end of level 5, replace all of the T5's using the same method.

*round up method – give everyone a T5 for each 1-5X T1’s. If someone has 1-5 T1, give them a T5, if someone has 6-10 T1, give them 2X T5, etc. Remember, the T5s come from the table because you put a T100 into play and took change from several players to have some T5’s to give to individual players.

*Chip race is more complicated. I’ve never done it, only witnessed it. From Robert’s Rules of Poker Version 11, Section 15.11:

1.The lowest denomination of chip in play will be removed from the table when it is no longer needed in the blind or ante structure. All lower-denomination chips that are of sufficient quantity for a new chip will be changed up directly. The method for removal of odd chips is to deal one card to a player for each odd chip possessed. Cards are dealt clockwise starting with the 1-seat, with each player receiving all cards before any cards are dealt to the next player. A player may not be eliminated from the event by the chip-change process. If a player has no chips after the race has been held, he will be given a chip of the higher denomination before anyone else is awarded a chip. Next, the player with the highest card by suit gets enough odd chips to exchange for one new chip, the second-highest card gets to exchange for the next chip, and so forth, until all the lower-denomination chips are exchanged. If an odd number of lower-denomination chips are left after this process, the player with the highest card remaining will receive a new chip if he has half or more of the quantity of lower-denomination chips needed, otherwise nothing.

So, in other words, just round up.

FernandPoker · Dec 31, 2018

mtl mile end said:
I was trying to answer this while multi-tabling. It wasn't working.

You are a quick study. Your plan sounds pretty good. However, the blind levels that you listed would result in an end at 2:30 or sooner (most likely). The tourney will tend to end when the blinds reach 5%, not after you have played a level of the blinds at 5%. A simple solution would be to start everyone with T300 (10X T1, 10X T5, 7X T20, and 1X T100). Bear in mind that the tourney will probably end sooner than the BB=5% of total mark. Having the blinds reach this level means the game almost has to end soon since no one left has more than 20BB.

Be aware that you are using non traditional (cash) colours for your chips (which doesn't matter at all), as well as non traditional denominations (T25 would be typical, T20 is unusual). Using your proposed structure, T20 can work, but it means no “chip up” to get rid of the T5 chips until level 5 is completed. Also, be aware that someone may complain that the chips are T20 and not T25. If you use T25 instead of T20, then you would have to adjust the starting stacks to an odd number like T360, T335, or T310.

At the end of the first hour, you can “chip up” (remove) the T1's. Replace them by giving someone a T100 for change and then replace all the T1's using round up* or chip race*. At the end of level 5, replace all of the T5's using the same method.

*round up method – give everyone a T5 for each 1-5X T1’s. If someone has 1-5 T1, give them a T5, if someone has 6-10 T1, give them 2X T5, etc. Remember, the T5s come from the table because you put a T100 into play and took change from several players to have some T5’s to give to individual players.

*Chip race is more complicated. I’ve never done it, only witnessed it. From Robert’s Rules of Poker Version 11, Section 15.11:

1.The lowest denomination of chip in play will be removed from the table when it is no longer needed in the blind or ante structure. All lower-denomination chips that are of sufficient quantity for a new chip will be changed up directly. The method for removal of odd chips is to deal one card to a player for each odd chip possessed. Cards are dealt clockwise starting with the 1-seat, with each player receiving all cards before any cards are dealt to the next player. A player may not be eliminated from the event by the chip-change process. If a player has no chips after the race has been held, he will be given a chip of the higher denomination before anyone else is awarded a chip. Next, the player with the highest card by suit gets enough odd chips to exchange for one new chip, the second-highest card gets to exchange for the next chip, and so forth, until all the lower-denomination chips are exchanged. If an odd number of lower-denomination chips are left after this process, the player with the highest card remaining will receive a new chip if he has half or more of the quantity of lower-denomination chips needed, otherwise nothing.

So, in other words, just round up.

Hello mtl mile end, thank you very much for taking your time to respond to me.
I've read your answer a few times, and came to the conclusion that the 20 chip isn't really a nice chip denomination for my blind levels.
A friend of mine had this in mind : White : 1 / Red : 5 / Green : 10 / Blue : 50 / Black : 100.
The blind levels would remain the same (the 6th level would be 20-50, so it is easier). Everyone would start with 150BB this time, so with 300. You said that it wouldn't last for 3 hours, but I think now (and hope) that with 150BB it would be perfect.
The beginning stacks of each player would be : 10 Whites / 10 Reds / 9 Greens / 3 Blues. Then I would do a "color-up" of the black chip at the 20-50 level.
Thanks a lot for the round-up method. I will do it like you said (maybe it won't be at the same moment you stated before, but I'll do that on my own).
What do you think of these chip denominations ? Although having 5 different chips, we would only use 4 at the same time (when we will use the Black chips, the White and surely Red chips will already be removed). Thanks a lot once again, I came to the conclusion that a good home poker tourney needs some good preparation !

mtl mile end · Dec 31, 2018

FernandPoker said:
Hello mtl mile end, thank you very much for taking your time to respond to me.
I've read your answer a few times, and came to the conclusion that the 20 chip isn't really a nice chip denomination for my blind levels.
A friend of mine had this in mind : White : 1 / Red : 5 / Green : 10 / Blue : 50 / Black : 100.
The blind levels would remain the same (the 6th level would be 20-50, so it is easier). Everyone would start with 150BB this time, so with 300. You said that it wouldn't last for 3 hours, but I think now (and hope) that with 150BB it would be perfect.
The beginning stacks of each player would be : 10 Whites / 10 Reds / 9 Greens / 3 Blues. Then I would do a "color-up" of the black chip at the 20-50 level.
Thanks a lot for the round-up method. I will do it like you said (maybe it won't be at the same moment you stated before, but I'll do that on my own).
What do you think of these chip denominations ? Although having 5 different chips, we would only use 4 at the same time (when we will use the Black chips, the White and surely Red chips will already be removed). Thanks a lot once again, I came to the conclusion that a good home poker tourney needs some good preparation !

Yes to all that ^ - You are the Tournament Director, you can do whatever you want. If everyone hates what you've done, the game won't work and may not be repeated. You will see how well your choices work when the game plays, so prepare well. Chip denominations are at your discretion. I knew a guy on a poker chip collectors site that had a cash game with his Mathematics/Physics friends that only used prime number chips - 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 etc. Your denominations make your blind levels work, so you should be fine. Remember that with 9 runners and T300 starting stacks, you will end up with ~27X T50 and ~15X T100 after all chip ups.

Things to remember:
-Don't chip up until the chips you are removing are no longer needed (obv)
-Make the denominations clear to everyone - i.e. have a chart or something players can refer to
-Keep the game flowing - with 30 minute levels, some people may feel it's OK to get distracted and ignore their dealing/acting duties
-Big blind jumps mean stalling is BAD, and shorties will appreciate lots of warning of jumps
-Having two decks of cards in play, with a "dealer on deck" (Baseball expression?) will speed up the action, but make sure the decks look very different to avoid confusion
-A 3 hour game may require a "loser's lounge" for the busted players to stay occupied
-Don't be surprised if your friends are more aggressive than you expect and the first game goes heads up in two blind levels
-Once you have decided your payout structure, stick to it. Individuals can make deals, but the set structure for everyone should never change.
-If the game lasts only a few minutes and you were hoping for 3 hours, you can consider re-buys, smaller level jumps, different level timing (shorter levels early, longer levels later)
-Your friends (and you) are learning how to do this, so patience and organization really help.

Have Fun!

FernandPoker · Dec 31, 2018

mtl mile end said:
Yes to all that ^ - You are the Tournament Director, you can do whatever you want. If everyone hates what you've done, the game won't work and may not be repeated. You will see how well your choices work when the game plays, so prepare well. Chip denominations are at your discretion. I knew a guy on a poker chip collectors site that had a cash game with his Mathematics/Physics friends that only used prime number chips - 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 etc. Your denominations make your blind levels work, so you should be fine. Remember that with 9 runners and T300 starting stacks, you will end up with ~27X T50 and ~15X T100 after all chip ups.

Things to remember:
-Don't chip up until the chips you are removing are no longer needed (obv)
-Make the denominations clear to everyone - i.e. have a chart or something players can refer to
-Keep the game flowing - with 30 minute levels, some people may feel it's OK to get distracted and ignore their dealing/acting duties
-Big blind jumps mean stalling is BAD, and shorties will appreciate lots of warning of jumps
-Having two decks of cards in play, with a "dealer on deck" (Baseball expression?) will speed up the action, but make sure the decks look very different to avoid confusion
-A 3 hour game may require a "loser's lounge" for the busted players to stay occupied
-Don't be surprised if your friends are more aggressive than you expect and the first game goes heads up in two blind levels
-Once you have decided your payout structure, stick to it. Individuals can make deals, but the set structure for everyone should never change.
-If the game lasts only a few minutes and you were hoping for 3 hours, you can consider re-buys, smaller level jumps, different level timing (shorter levels early, longer levels later)
-Your friends (and you) are learning how to do this, so patience and organization really help.

Have Fun!

Hey mtl mile end !

Thank you for your confirmation and tips. These will surely help me a lot. Next week I'll post here how the tourney unfolded.

Thank you once again for your time, and I wish you a Happy New Year !

Fernand

P.S. Do not forget that 1, even though it is often said, is not a prime number

mtl mile end · Dec 31, 2018

FernandPoker said:
...

P.S. Do not forget that 1, even though it is often said, is not a prime number

LOL! I'm sure all his math/physics friends teased him about that.

Happy New Year to you too.

FernandPoker · Jan 1, 2019

mtl mile end said:
LOL! I'm sure all his math/physics friends teased him about that.

Hahaha, I think that was surely the case !

See you next time

FP

FernandPoker · Jan 2, 2019

mtl mile end said:
Yes to all that ^ - You are the Tournament Director, you can do whatever you want. If everyone hates what you've done, the game won't work and may not be repeated. You will see how well your choices work when the game plays, so prepare well. ...

Have Fun!

Hey mtl mile end,

The tourney took place this afternoon, and it went really well. The blind levels were fine, and it lasted for 3 hours, so the timing was perfect. The color-ups also were awesome. All in all it was great !
I managed to get the second spot, so that makes it a successful tourney too

!

Thanks once again for your help and kindness.

See you next time !

Fernand

mtl mile end · Jan 2, 2019

FernandPoker said:
Hey mtl mile end,

The tourney took place this afternoon, and it went really well. The blind levels were fine, and it lasted for 3 hours, so the timing was perfect. The color-ups also were awesome. All in all it was great !
I managed to get the second spot, so that makes it a successful tourney too !

Thanks once again for your help and kindness.

See you next time !

Fernand

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear that a good time was had.

LavaStorm · Jan 6, 2019

martina pinto said:
the best games are those that are made at home

Home games have a different vibe. While you play with some friends in your own home you are more relaxed and this could help you play more sharp since you dont have the same fear as you have in a live tourney with a 300$ buy in.

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