Hosting the perfect Poker game at home
Hosting a home poker tournament takes more than a deck of cards and a few beers. You need the right mix of players, a decent playing surface, not to mention a set of chips. And that's just for starters.
Home poker may be more relaxed than playing at a casino, but you still need to know how to set blinds and limits, suggest starting stacks, and follow the rules. But fear not. In this guide to playing poker at home, we'll teach you exactly how to host the perfect home poker tournament. From attracting the right players to serving snacks that keep everyone focused. If you want to win at home poker, this guide will get you there.
The secrets of an awesome
home poker game explained
Want to know how to put on the ultimate poker night for you and your pals? Get the answers, and more, in our downloadable guide.
The secrets of an awesome
home poker game explained
Want to know how to put on the ultimate poker night for you and your pals? Get the answers, and more, in our downloadable guide.
SKIP TO:
Before You Start
Before you can even begin to think about inviting people over for a poker night, you need to wind back a few steps and cover off the basics. And we're not talking about what chips to buy in (cash or edible). First, you need to work out what kind of poker you actually want to play.
Picking Your Variation
Unless you're a fish (in which case you probably shouldn't be hosting a home poker tournament) you know there's more than one way to play poker in 2020. Here are the three most popular rule variations:
Texas Hold'em
The type played throughout the Poker World Series, Hold'em Poker sees players dealt 2 hole cards each. While 5 community cards are placed face up on the table. The winner is player with the strongest 5-card hand. Composed of 1 or 2 hold cards, and 3 or 4 community cards. More info
omaha
In this variation, players receive 4 hole cards and have to make a hand with two hole cards and three community ones. Betting takes place in rounds, just as with Texas Hold'em. With the community cards being dealt three upfront, followed by one apiece for the next two rounds of betting. More info
Seven-Card Stud
Seven-Card Stud was at one time the most popular poker variation. Players are dealt 3 hole cards, two of which are face down. The player with the lowest value card (from those facing upwards) kicks off the betting. There are no community cards, and players are dealt 7 cards each in total (with rounds of betting in between). In the end, the player with the strongest 5-card hand wins. More info
Which type of poker you choose to play is entirely down to you, but if you want our recommendation, sticking to Texas Hold'em is probably best. With fewer rules, and fewer cards in play, it's the easiest variation to get to grips with, and the one that most poker players prefer.
That's why in this guide we focus our advice on hosting a Texas Hold'em poker tournament at home.
Players
So, now we've decided on our poker style, it's time to think about who to invite into the game.
Around 10 players is a good number to keep things interesting. But, remember, poker is one of the few casino games you can get better at with practice. So make sure your crowd includes players of equal skill. After all, no fish stands a chance in a room full of sharks.
Likewise, you need players who are out for the same thing. So if you're there to play for serious stakes, make it known upfront. But don't forget about the social side either. The evening should be a chance to kick back and have fun. So keep things breezy and enjoy a few beers while you play.
If you're having trouble finding players try reaching out on poker forums and through your social networks. It could be a good way to hook up with a new crowd who enjoy playing poker as much as you do.
The Essential Stuff: Cards, Chips, & More
Once your players are locked down you need to get your home game-night-ready. And that means making sure you have the right kit.
At its most basic level, a deck of cards and a table will just about see you through. But home poker is a lot better if you have a proper playing surface, and a good set of chips. So we recommend being prepared with these essentials, to keep the action sweet and players remembering why they're there.
Over the next few sections, we'll go over exactly what you need to turn any space into an instant poker cardroom. So read on to start from the very beginning, or skip through using our anchor links above.
beginners
Frequent Players
pros
beginners
Frequent Players
pros
getting set up
So, now the essentials are in the bag you're ready to begin thinking about the finer details of your tournament. Over the coming sections, we'll break down everything you need to keep the tournament moving. From setting blind levels and starting stakes to chip distribution and table structures.
Stakes
Setting stakes in a home poker tournament boils down to how many players you have and how quickly each hand will play out. Influenced by whether you set up a small stakes turbo Sit 'n Go, a deep stack, or a cash game with upwards of 8 players (more on this in our section on Structure).
Chip denominations of 25c and $1 are usually sufficient for a standard game of $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em. With $5 and $10 chip buy-ins at the ready to save time.
If 9 players, including you, buy in at $20 (40 big blinds), each player could receive 8 25c and $1 chips respectively, together with two $5 chips. In which case a standard 300-chip case will do the job.
Make sure your set has at least 100 x 25c and $1 chips, together with 50 x $5 and $10 chips. The larger of which can be used when players rebuy or join a game.
If you're planning on hosting a home Sit 'n Go one idea is to have a side table that offers a cash game. That way those who bust out in the main tournament have somewhere to play while the players left in battle it out.
Structure
While the World Series of Poker uses a freeze-out structure that eliminates players once they bust, in our experience a rebuy structure is better for home games. Giving players the option to buy back in when they lose all their chips makes things more exciting. You'll find that players take bigger risks when they know buy-ins are allowed. Helping to keep the action playing out for longer.
You should also consider the winning structure too. Will one player take the entire pot? Or will you have first, second and third place prizes? Both work fine for a home tourney but having more than one pot can fire players up. And offer a bigger incentive to bring your best game.
Setting The Blinds
When setting the blind structure for your tournament keep in mind that you're playing at home, not in a high stakes casino. Blinds of more than a 2x jump can be a little too big for a home poker game. So try to keep the levels beneath this (around 1.5x is usually a good upper-level limit). Or you might find very few players are ballsy enough to call or raise.
If you do want a quick play tournament you can always make the levels shorter. This will speed the pace along, but not at a blind rate that feels too intimidating. You can also estimate how long your tournament will last by taking into account the structure and amount of players. For example, ending the tournament when just two players are left with 10 big blinds each.
starting stack:
10000
-
![Green chip]()
x 8 = 200
-
![White chip]()
x 8 = 800
-
![Purple chip]()
x 8 = 4000
-
![Yellow chip]()
x 8 = 7000
structure table
| Small Blind | Big Blind | Ante |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 50 | - |
| 50 | 100 | - |
| 75 | 150 | - |
| 100 | 200 | 25 |
| 150 | 300 | 25 |
| 200 | 400 | 50 |
| 300 | 600 | 75 |
| 500 | 1000 | 100 |
| 800 | 1600 | 150 |
| 1000 | 2000 | 200 |
| 1500 | 3000 | 300 |
| 2000 | 4000 | 400 |
| 3000 | 6000 | 600 |
| 5000 | 10000 | 1000 |
It's a good idea to keep the blind levels even and (if possible) try not to skip levels too often. While you don't want the tournament to endlessly drag on, at the same time, you want to have weight to it. Around three levels is a good length of time to keep your tournament moving. But if you did want it to last a little longer adding a fourth level extends the action.
When it comes to blind structures, there isn't a one-size-fits-all formula. Use your instincts, and remember that the structure you choose influences how long your tournament lasts. If you're not sure about setting your own blinds, or just want a bit of guidance, here are three starting structures we suggest.
Create-Your-Own Blind Schedule
A blank blind schedule for you to fill in as you please. Print it out and pass them round at your home game so that everyone's on the same page.
Use nowBlind Schedule 1
A good entry-level blind structure for first time tourney holders. Blinds are smaller to accommodate players just learning the ropes.
Use nowBlind Schedule 2
A mid-level structure with slightly increased blinds. Perfect for tournaments where skill varies from player to player.
Use nowChip Distribution
When it comes to deciding how many chips to dish out to each player, a 500-chip set is usually a good number for a home tournament. If you want each player to have a bigger stack of chips (which has the upside of needing to change up chips for change less frequently) then deal out a larger number of smaller value chips. Otherwise, you can get away with using fewer chips per player, if you add in some higher denomination ones to each buy-in stack.
We go into more specifics about the science behind chip distribution in our ultimate guide to poker chips.
Playing
Once you've got your card room set up and your chips shared out now comes the action. But, with every home poker tournament (no matter how relaxed the crowd) it still pays to make sure everyone is aware of appropriate tournament etiquette, and any rules, before kicking things off.
Etiquette
When we use the word etiquette in poker terms, we're not talking about being prim and proper. By poker etiquette, we mean things that are generally acceptable (and not acceptable) in a Texas Hold'em hand or tournament.
Most players who put themselves forward for a home tournament will be up to speed with appropriate tableside etiquette. But it never hurts to lay down a few ground rules upfront so every player knows where they stand.
Talking on Your Cellphone
This wouldn't fly in a land-based casino so don't stand for it during a home tournament either. Make it clear that when you're in a hand all cells should be switched off. And if you do need to take a call, wait until the round's finished then exit to another room.
Acting Out of turn
While acting when it's not your turn can sometimes be an honest mistake (albeit a pretty amateur one) for others it's a deliberate ploy to influence another player's thought process. Either way, it's bad form, so make it clear that any out of turn action will be made to stand.
Discarding Cards
Poker etiquette even extends to how you discard your cards at a game's end, or when you fold. Generally speaking, it's considered poor behavior to discard cards away from the muck, or by throwing them towards the dealer or chip stack. And don't pelt your cards forward full-force either. A gentle throw will go a long way to getting you in the dealer's good graces.
Chip Handling
You should keep your chips in neatly organized stacks in front of you. Which helps to keep the rounds of betting fast, especially when it's your turn to act. Also, know the denominations, don't throw them so they splash the others about, and don't deliberately use them to obstruct another player's line of view.
With poker etiquette, it's more a case of checking your behavior to make sure you don't do anything to rub a fellow player up the wrong way. But likewise practicing proper poker etiquette comes down to good sportsmanship too. So make the night easier for everyone and be a good sport, and if you have to throw your toys out of the pram, don't throw your chips or cards as well.
Rules
As well as making sure every player is up to speed with etiquette, establishing any tournament rules is another thing to get out of the way early on. Make sure the rules of your game are clear. And confirm that all players understand before the action begins. That way no one can claim ignorance if something doesn't go their way, or they act out of turn.
Here are some rules you might want to consider introducing the next time you hold a Texas Hold'em tournament at home.
Payout
The tournament's prize structure, including the pot sizes for players who place a winning spot, should be laid out in plain view for all to see. A good payout structure awards something to the effect of 40% to first place, 25% to second, 20% to third, leaving 15% to the player who places fourth.
Buy-ins & Rebuys
The tournament buy-in amount should also be clearly advertised. Players should be aware of the buy-in before signing up. But if you're allowing rebuys (we recommend this) make sure you specify up to what point in the tournament rebuys are accepted, and the number of buy-ins allowed in one sitting.
How to win
The question every tournament player will want to be answered, the rules about how you win should be clearly outlined in writing. And verbally communicated in the presence of all players taking part. Freeze-out tourneys simply end with the last player standing but when rebuys are allowed it's important to establish at what point the winners will be judged.
Timings & Breaks
Make it clear that when the blinds timer sounds, the next blind level kicks in, and the timer resets again. Also, make sure you allow for breaks in the action. So players can grab a smoke, crack open another beer and take a 5-minute breather at regular intervals. Everyone playing should know when the next scheduled break is coming up.
These are just some basic rules to get you started and give your tournament structure. But if you want to get even more advanced you can also add in rules around late entry, early cash-outs, seating and rotating play. All of which will help give your home game a more professional tournament feel.
Extras
Want to advance your game even further? If you really want to turn your home tournament into a legendary poker event to remember, here are a few more tips and tricks for a winning formula.
Play Tight To Begin With
The key to tournaments is to sit tight and try and get through to the later hands with as many chips in your stack as possible. Playing tight during the first few rounds, and upping to a more aggressive style, further along, is a great strategy to keep you strong into the later tournament levels.
Deal or No Deal
If you're one of the few remaining players to make it to the final hurdle you may be approached by another player looking to strike a deal to split the pot. Deals are all well and good but just make sure it's you that's in the driving seat. 9 times out of 10 when a player strikes a deal it's to undermine you. So keep your wits about you and if you smell a rat just cut them down to size.
Don't Burst The Bubble
Once you approach the end of a tournament you find yourself in what poker pros call the bubble. It's this close proximity to victory that can cause some players to slip up as the stress piles on. So keep calm, hold your nerve, and make sure you're not one of the unlucky players to burst your bubble and go bust just before you're about to walk away a winner.
Even if you're experienced in tournaments, the process of playing several rounds back to back, over a few solid hours, can still take its toll. But likewise, if you're popping your tournament cherry for the first time, home games are a great way to hone your skills, without putting too much on the line. So enjoy the experience, and if you bust out, don't beat yourself up. In tourneys, there's always going to be winners and losers. Just think of every hand as helping to shape you into a savvier player.
Snacks & Drinks
While no one's going to expect an $11 buffet or steak grill at a home poker tournament, it's still a good idea (and good form) to cover offer up some snack foods and a range of drinks (both alcoholic and soft) over the evening. Your players will appreciate it, and it will also give you something to tuck into and chew on:
In a home tournament, it's generally considered ok to kick back a little more than you would do at an official professional game. So, to wash everything down, have a few cold brewskies to hand, as well as some hard liquor. Plus a little water on the side to aid concentration and refresh everyone's palette. And don't forget to offer something softer for the designated drivers too.
Apps & Software
Of course, if you and your poker pals are also used to playing games virtually online. Either in live dealer casinos or just against a random number generator. You might be interested to know there are some online software and apps that can also help you to organize your offline games too.
The Tournament Director
If you don't mind paying, The Tournament Director is a downloadable package that helps you run home poker games. It takes the work out of setting blinds and structures so you can enjoy the night as much as your fellow players. It's available for free trial for 30 days.
Poker Tournament Manager
Finally, the Poker Tournament Manager includes a poker clock timer, plus support in setting buy-in limits, rebuys, distributing chips and antes. Plus it automatically calculates payouts and can even be used to assign seats in a tournament too. It's available at a one-off cost.
Of course, these three aren't the only software providers offering a way to keep tabs on home poker tourneys and help with the admin side of things. In 2020 the internet is crawling with tons of packages, as well as apps for cellphone and tablet. All perfect for helping you organize and run a home poker game with a professional approach. So read some reviews, work out what it is you need, and always take the software for a spin before committing your cash.
