Tourney 4 player 1 hour tournament with limited # of chips (2 Viewers)

[sonofneeway]

I bought a bunch of sample chips from tallsbutler and I am hoping to make a 4 player tournament with just 1 rack of chips. I have 24 of each of these denominations 25c/50c/$1 & $5. 10 minute blinds should be plenty playing 4 handed. If I have a starting stack of $15.50 (25c x 6, 50c x 6, $1 x 6 & $5 x 1). Does everyone have enough chips without too much hassle for this blind schedule? Would like to be done after an hour so the 3/6 level. I am figuring that I can pack 1 rack of chips in a suitcase easier than a 300 chip briefcase to be able to play while on vacations. I have not done a run through yet and maybe that will tell me where I am short or if this would work. THANKS
.25/.50
.50/1
1/2
1.5/3
2/4
3/6
4/8

 

[Huskerchipper]

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity to try playing a cash game.

 

[Kentucky]

I think this falls into the category of “Bad Poker is still good”.
Is this the most optimal structure? No. Does it really matter? No. Given the option between playing this and not playing poker, which would I choose? Do you have to ask?

The current starting stacks of 30BB is pretty small - and down to 15BB after 10 minutes. There’s not a lot of room for creative play there. I may be tempted to throw in a .25/.25 level to start moderately stacked. You might also think about putting in more $x.25 and $x.75 blinds to even out the jumps. Or even, increase the jumps towards the end so that the 4 of you play together for longer…? Big jumps at the start then smaller jumps at the end feels like you might play heads up longer than you play full handed - that’s guess work really.

Probably best just to try it and see how it goes…. at least you are playing poker!

 

[sonofneeway]

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity to try playing a cash game.

I was thinking we all throw $5 in and play winner take all. A $5 buy for a 25c/50c cash game could be over in just a couple of hands.

 

[sonofneeway]

I think this falls into the category of “Bad Poker is still good”.
Is this the most optimal structure? No. Does it really matter? No. Given the option between playing this and not playing poker, which would I choose? Do you have to ask?

The current starting stacks of 30BB is pretty small - and down to 15BB after 10 minutes. There’s not a lot of room for creative play there. I may be tempted to throw in a .25/.25 level to start moderately stacked. You might also think about putting in more $x.25 and $x.75 blinds to even out the jumps. Or even, increase the jumps towards the end so that the 4 of you play together for longer…? Big jumps at the start then smaller jumps at the end feels like you might play heads up longer than you play full handed - that’s guess work really.

Probably best just to try it and see how it goes…. at least you are playing poker!

thanks for the input. I guess my real concern was do we physically have enough 25c & 50c chips without constantly having to make change out of the pot, but I guess that is doable. I could add a $5 or two chip to everyone's stack, but really don't want to drag this on longer than an hour.

 

[drdr]

Fun thought experiment.
Thankfully, you have joined a great website... to buy moar chips. But even some more samples would help your tournament. A denom higher or smaller, or a random non-denom to use however you want.

 

[sonofneeway]

Fun thought experiment.
Thankfully, you have joined a great website... to buy moar chips. But even some more samples would help your tournament. A denom higher or smaller, or a random non-denom to use however you want.

Not really looking for more chips at least for more of these "vacation" chips. would like to keep it a single rack. I am sure that I could find some sort of travel poker chip set with cheap interlocking plastic chips, but don't want to do that either. Tallsbutler had some decent "Tina clays" in these denominations and quantities and I was hoping to put them to use.

 

[Kentucky]

thanks for the input. I guess my real concern was do we physically have enough 25c & 50c chips without constantly having to make change out of the pot, but I guess that is doable. I could add a $5 or two chip to everyone's stack, but really don't want to drag this on longer than an hour.

No… I’d say you’d be really lucky if you didn’t have to regularly make change.

 

[drdr]

Dare I suggest such heresay (don't hurt me PCF) but maybe monopoly cash is just easier for such a travel set?

 

[Kentucky]

Dare I suggest such heresay (don't hurt me PCF) but maybe monopoly cash is just easier for such a travel set?

Having done that previously, I had the same thought…

 

[FearlessFred]

I've been thinking about a one rack, travel set myself for 4 players.



I was going to go with:



5p - 40

25p - 40

£1 - 20



5p/5p blinds, 100BB buyin:



10x 5p

10x 25p

2x £1



There are 2 and a bit rebuys in the bank and then cash can play.



The idea would be for travel, intro games and OFCP

 

[SixSpeedFury]

Not really looking for more chips at least for more of these "vacation" chips. would like to keep it a single rack. I am sure that I could find some sort of travel poker chip set with cheap interlocking plastic chips, but don't want to do that either. Tallsbutler had some decent "Tina clays" in these denominations and quantities and I was hoping to put them to use.

Vacation chips, you say? Paging @Poker Zombie and @Mrs Poker Zombie.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Ah, vacation chips...

Our setup runs either a tournament or a cash game for up to 3 people.
24x 25 (cents or T25)
24x 100 ($1 or T100)
13x 500 ($5 or T500)
2x 2000 ($20 or T2000)

Chips are stored in chip tubes (available at Spinetti's)
Each tube gets:
8x 25
8x 100
4x 500 (one tube holds an extra 500)
1x 2000 (one tube does not get a 2000)

If playing 2 player, use the tubes with the 2000s. For 3-player games, set aside the 2000s and the extra 500.

This set-up has been effective on multiple trips, playing both 2 and 3 handed (all 3-handed games were cash).

Trying to extrapolate to 4 players (which the airplane poker table does not accommodate) would require another 20-21 chips. This fits into the OP
s desire to play 4-handed with only one rack. This, unfortunately, does not fit the OP's current chip set-up.

My recommendations are either: buy more chips with a set-up more conducive to play, or play 25¢/25¢ cash, with chips at 1/3 value ($5 nets you $15 in chips, cash out is reversed, with a high card race to divide up fractions.)