Tourney Ingredients for a New Home Game (1 Viewer)

[Cincy_swag]

I've been looking to start a poker night with friends and wow am I glad I found this site. I've read through a bunch of threads but figured I'd start one of my own just because my questions span so many areas of the total game package. I hope this is the right area for this.

1. Table: While I plan on building one once I finish painting basement, I figured in the mean time dining room table will suffice for an 8 person single table tournament or so? Do people recommend any kind of felt to throw on top of an otherwise all wood table?

2. Chips: I want to run a single table tournament that in the future (once the full table is built) could hold up to 10 players. Ideally, I'd like to allow rebuys so that people don't trek out for 30 minutes and then feel like they need to go home. How many chips would I need for that and any recommendations in the 200 or 300 buck range?

3. Structure for the tournament as described above?

Thanks to all!

 

[upNdown]

Not sure how new you are to this, so here's some very basic advice. Rules/structure is the most important thing. A good blind structure is important, but I'm talking about more basic stuff like rules about betting and raising, button movement, showdown rules, blind level times (and having a clock everybody can see) payout structure, rebuy rules and limits, etc. Its best to have this stuff in writing, and Google can probably help with this. But the bottom line is if you're running a tournament, YOU need to know what you're doing, to give your guests the best experience.

I think the playing surface is the next most important thing. It's very difficult to handle cards and chips on a wood table. A single layer of cloth helps, but a padded surface makes the whole experience so much better. You can buy roll-out pads on Amazon that are similar to a giant mousepad - I think this is the minimum. Foldable table tops work well, but they can get expensive. One unique option that I've never seen posted here is using a rug as a table top. If you happen to have a remnant or an area rug the size of your table, it works surprisingly well, and it won't cost you anything.

I think these are the two most important things to consider - and again, sorry if this advice is too basic.

 

[Cincy_swag]

Not sure how new you are to this, so here's some very basic advice. Rules/structure is the most important thing. A good blind structure is important, but I'm talking about more basic stuff like rules about betting and raising, button movement, showdown rules, blind level times (and having a clock everybody can see) payout structure, rebuy rules and limits, etc. Its best to have this stuff in writing, and Google can probably help with this. But the bottom line is if you're running a tournament, YOU need to know what you're doing, to give your guests the best experience.

I think the playing surface is the next most important thing. It's very difficult to handle cards and chips on a wood table. A single layer of cloth helps, but a padded surface makes the whole experience so much better. You can buy roll-out pads on Amazon that are similar to a giant mousepad - I think this is the minimum. Foldable table tops work well, but they can get expensive. One unique option that I've never seen posted here is using a rug as a table top. If you happen to have a remnant or an area rug the size of your table, it works surprisingly well, and it won't cost you anything.

I think these are the two most important things to consider - and again, sorry if this advice is too basic.

I appreciate any and all advice, @upNdown I have played enough live and online to feel very confident in the rules of the game. One of my big aims in the early going is just getting everyone up to speed on the basic rules beyond hand values and truly understanding why things like string betting isn't allowed, how the button moves and showdown procedures like you said. I am not worried about that functionality even if I am bringing others up to speed along the way.

The structure of the tournament, blind structure, payouts etc. are what I'm more looking for at the moment though there are some great threads I'm finding on similar topics. Is there a standard and premier version of game clocks people use? In high school, we just used a dealer button with a built in blinds timer but not everyone can see it at once. I'm sure I could hang a clock and say that they move up at the 20/40/60 minute marks. But how difficult is it to set up a monitor to run a legitimate, casino style tournament director clock. I ask because the intent is to build up the basement into a space that could handle better games in the future.

Any advice for chips? How many and how many colors I'd need for a 10 person event that would allow rebuys in the early going? I'm hoping not to spend more than 2-3 hundred on the first set. Something nice enough to please me as someone who has played a lot in casinos but it doesn't need to be insane given my intended audience.

Than you!

 

[detroitdad]

I've been looking to start a poker night with friends and wow am I glad I found this site. I've read through a bunch of threads but figured I'd start one of my own just because my questions span so many areas of the total game package. I hope this is the right area for this.

1. Table: While I plan on building one once I finish painting basement, I figured in the mean time dining room table will suffice for an 8 person single table tournament or so? Do people recommend any kind of felt to throw on top of an otherwise all wood table?

2. Chips: I want to run a single table tournament that in the future (once the full table is built) could hold up to 10 players. Ideally, I'd like to allow rebuys so that people don't trek out for 30 minutes and then feel like they need to go home. How many chips would I need for that and any recommendations in the 200 or 300 buck range?

3. Structure for the tournament as described above?

Thanks to all!

1. Order a roll out table top from Amazon. Here is one option. Searching around will probably find you more. This works great for a dining room table https://www.amazon.com/Brybelly-Sti...d=1493732398&sr=1-17&keywords=Poker+Table+top

2. As for the structure, we'll need more information. How long are you looking for this tourney to last? 10 player max? maybe more in the future? @BGinGA is the man to call for this. He structures are gold to me. I've used them many times and they are fantastic.

What about a cash game? Once 3-4 people are eliminated from the tourney you could have a low stakes cash game going.

As for chips in your budget there are a bunch of options in that price range. Make an offer for this set https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...t-ceramics-high-roller-set.20126/#post-368948 This will cover two tables.

many of our vendors offer china clays that will fit your budget and you can choose your breakdown.

 

[BGinGA]

Will elaborate on some of your other questions later (no time now, at work).

A decent 10-player tournament set will require at least 300 chips using four denominations. I'd recommend a T5-base set with the following breakdown:

100 x T5
100 x T25
70 x T100
30 x T500

The set supports up to 10 x T2000 stacks (200bb) with sufficient chips for color-ups (or T1500 stacks if offering re-buys).

Best value chip available right now in your budget range is the ceramic hybrid Atlantic City Boardwalk set. I'd advise getting the 43mm versions for all four denominations. Adding a barrel of T1000 chips would provide extra flexibility and allow for deeper starting stacks.

 

[p5woody]

You can also check out the current group buy for the boardwalk chips:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ardwalks-group-buy-ii-the-order-thread.19689/

(Note: these are a one time purchase, they may not be available in the future to add on)
-- Must order in rolls of 25 --

39mm = 53 cents each; $13.25 per roll ( 500 chips would be 265+ shipping)
43mm = 58 cents; $14.50 per roll

I'm not an expert, but this is what I do.
Tournament with T10,000 starting stacks with 12/12/7/5
T25 x 12
T100 x 12
T500 x 7
T1000 x 5
T5000

So to handle 10 players you would need 120/120/70/50 + color-ups and re-buys

500 chips should be able to handle a single table 10 player tournament.
T25 x 125
T100 x 125
T500 x 100
T1000 x 125
T5000 x 25
-------------------
Total 500 chips

More knowledgeable people will probably be along shortly to add their opinions

 

[upNdown]

I think there's a couple of apps that will run the tournament for you on an ipad or iphone - I don't use one, but it would probably be very helpful.

Chips? Here are my thoughts. But spend a day reading through the tournament breakdown threads here, for a ton of advice, much of it from people with a lot more experience than me.

You don't need a ton of chips for a single table tournament. My preference is 5 denominations, but you can totally get away with 4.
25/100/500/1000/5000

My preferred starting stacks:
When your lowest chip is 25, you'll typically have starting stacks with 12 each of 25's and 100's or 8 each of 25's and 100's. I prefer 12 because more chips is more fun.
12 x 25 = 300
12 x 100 = 1200. So you're up to 1500
Add in either 3 or 5 x 500's to keep your totals round.
5 x 500 = 2500 - total is now 4,000
Now just add in as many 1,000's as it takes to get you to your intended total; and throw in a 5,000 if you want to have a deep stack

So you'd need 120 x 25 chips and 120 x 100 chips.
You'd 50 x 500 chips for this starting stack, but you'll want at least another 6 to color up the 25's once they're no longer needed. So 60 x 500
You'll need at least 12 extra 1,000's to color up the 100 chips once they're no longer needed (although I think you can skip doing this for a single table tournament if you're feeling lazy) so you probably want 80-120 x 1,000 chips, again depending on how big you want your starting stacks.
5000's are useful for rebuys, and like I said, one of them in the starting stack gets you a higher total and makes things exciting.

So for nice round numbers, you could do 15,000 starting stacks consisting of:

12 x 25 - you'll need 120
12 x 100 - you'll need 120
5 x 500 - you'll need 60
6 x 1000 - you'll need 80
1 x 5000 - you'll need 40 to allow for one rebuy per person

That's just one way of doing it with 320 chips. But the possibilities are almost infinite.
If you want decent chips on the cheaper side, start by looking at the china clay options at apachepokerchips.com - (Dunes, Majestic, Pharohs, Milano) for 30-40 cents per chip, or the ceramics at Old West Poker Supplies for 70-85 cents apiece.

 

[upNdown]

See, good advice from smarter guys came in while I was typing.

 

[BGinGA]

Your math skills need work. Those total up to 420 chips, not 320.

 

[upNdown]

The boardwalk group buy the others have mentioned is a great option and definitely the best bang for your buck available right now. But right now is relative - these chips won't be delivered until late June, I think? So if you want something for a game next week, that won't work.

And thanks @BGinGA for proving my point about getting advice from smarter people. Math is hard.

 

[Cincy_swag]

I think enough chips to cover a 1 table tournament is all I can justify right now--though it's mildly concerning that there may never be an option to add on if I went the Boardwalk route.

The format of tournament that I'm looking for is a 10 person max event. I'd like to allow rebuys in the early going and have the entire event last less than 4 hours. You think a four color, 500 chip set will cover that?

While having additional chips for cash games would be great, I don't feel confident that this crowd will take to that right away, by any stretch. If need be, I can break out the (winces) dice chips to get through a game or two before committing to a nice chip set that may never see use.

Oh, and a table cover for the first night has been ordered. Now just really trying to decide on a chip set.

 

[Mental Nomad]

I appreciate any and all advice, @upNdown I have played enough live and online to feel very confident in the rules of the game. One of my big aims in the early going is just getting everyone up to speed on the basic rules beyond hand values and truly understanding why things like string betting isn't allowed, how the button moves and showdown procedures like you said.

I second the idea of having written rules... but it's not about you understanding them. It's about having them written, especially for when irregularities happen.

What happens when a card is accidentally flipped face-up during the deal? What happens if two cards are? And how does everyone know you're not making it up as you go along, depending on what the card was, or who it happened to?

You say you know how the button moves... when the current SB and BB are knocked out on the same hand, are you using the Moving Button rule, or the Dead Button rule?

When there's an odd smallest-denomination chip in a split pot, does it go to the out-of-position player, or the player who was the last bettor?

Many places have house rules that are different than in other places... that's always OK, it's your house, as long as it's written, consistent, and fair.

Having all these things written down helps, especially for the unusual stuff. You don't have to write it all, yourself - people here can suggest standard references, and some will offer you their personal "house rules."

Oh, and a table cover for the first night has been ordered. Now just really trying to decide on a chip set.

Well, the good news is that if you buy a good-quality chip set, and change your mind later, you can always sell it, here. You probably won't take a big loss, and may even make a profit! That's not true, however, if you buy typical "cheap" chips at retail in your price range. You can't get full value for used if any buyer could buy them new for the same price... but you can easily buy a good used set here at the forums that you resell later for close to the full amount paid, less shipping.

As to the Boardwalks - nobody can guarantee they'll be available again. Then again, nobody can say they won't be. The silver lining is this: if they aren't available again, you can bet your patootie they'll go up in value. They're already a hot item on the resale market here. If you're willing to pay, you can still expand your set... or your can sell your set, and roll the money into something else.

Lastly, and most importantly, remember - this is just your first chip set. You will have many more; preferably, several at a time. Eventually, your players will appreciate this.

Welcome to the sickness.

 

[Jambine]

.....Rules/structure is the most important thing.......

^That^ X10
The easy answer is found in that binder over there.
The one that says on the cover "Our house rules are Roberts Rules of Poker, V-11". (or whatever rules you decide to use)

The only advice I would add is this. If you have 10 people who say they definitely are going to play, you can expect 5 or 6 to show up.

 

[sicilian_joe]

I use the "Talking Poker Timer" on my android tablet for blinds/antes.

 

[sicilian_joe]

Anyone have their "House Rules" doc they'd be willing to share??

 

[Cincy_swag]

Anyone have their "House Rules" doc they'd be willing to share??

That would be awesome, thanks.

 

[Blaster]

Anyone have their "House Rules" doc they'd be willing to share??

I just posted mine in another thread earlier ...
Here you go:
https://justpaste.it/167q3

 

[Jambine]

Anyone have their "House Rules" doc they'd be willing to share??

Roberts on PDF already formatted for full page, or 1/2 page (also links to pretty much everything else)

http://homepokertourney.com/poker-rules.htm

 

[Ellasdaddy]

Any advice for chips?

I'm still laughing at this...

Welcome sir. It is a deep rabbit hole you've fallen down into.