Live tournaments - Exorbitant fees?

[dfarrands]

A couple of buddies invited me to the casino to play in a tournament. I looked at the details and saw "$100 buy-in | $75 to the prize pool | $15 entry fee | $10 staffing."

25% of my buy-in goes to fees? Only 75% goes to players?

This seems like a rip off. Is this a standard fee structure?

I think I will decline the tournament and stick to cash games.

 

[Debi]

Most low buy-ins are like that. When you get over $120ish they are better but still not amazing.

 

[pirateglenn]

Yes that fee structure is quite standard here in UK, especially with dealt tables in tourneys, you tend to find that if its not dealer led, the cost is less here ( at least it is in many of the UK casinos i have played at).
Often it is linked to number of entrants though;

 

[mtl mile end]

This reminds me of another live poker thread where I was talking about free food at the cash tables. Tammy said that she didn't get free food at her casino. I was shocked. Living close to a dedicated poker room that I am frequently told is one of the best in the World, this is simply another reason to feel lucky.

Today's Tourneys:


The full schedule is available at playgroundpoker.ca. You can see that even with the "optional" dealer add-on, the "rake" is less than your example. Winners are still expected to tip the dealers.

Cash tables have free food and drinks. There are different menus for $1/2 and the higher stakes. Tourney tables offer free drinks. I find the food mediocre and incredibly expensive if I'm paying for it. However, there is a set of daily specials that allow you to eat an otherwise $20 meal for 9 or 10 bucks.

 

[Casecrs]

Inflation is hard to handle

With the rising cost out there the establishment have to charge more to survive. I think we need to embrace it for a small business, if it is going to be a nice experience and friendly staff cause they are adequately paid... The cost is minimal then. I love Poker and to have a local place and the cost be a bit higher, no problem.