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Min number of players to begin tournament? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Salbino
- Start date
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
Set a start time. Stick to that start time. Allow late registration for a limited period of time (mine is roughly 1 hour).
Load up 1 table. Set a deck A - 10 with four red suited cards and and 6 black suited cards. If you have 10 players but think 1 or more players may show late, let it be known that all the red cards will change tables when the extra player arrives, and the late player draws a black suited card for their seat at the "red table".
Some will penalize stacks to prevent late shows, others give extra chips for players who arrive on time. Still others (and the Tournament Directors Association rules indicate) that everyone starts with a full stack. I prefer the full stack rule. Less extra work for the host, but if you have reoccurring late shows, the bonus chips may provide incentive (though it may simply discourage the late shows from attending at all).
But I cannot emphasize enough... START ON TIME. If you "wait" for Joe, Joe will always leave his house late. Frank will then decide that he can leave later, because it's not important. Next thing you know, people will arrive when they want, not when you want.
If you don't care when players arrive, pitch a cash game instead.
Load up 1 table. Set a deck A - 10 with four red suited cards and and 6 black suited cards. If you have 10 players but think 1 or more players may show late, let it be known that all the red cards will change tables when the extra player arrives, and the late player draws a black suited card for their seat at the "red table".
Some will penalize stacks to prevent late shows, others give extra chips for players who arrive on time. Still others (and the Tournament Directors Association rules indicate) that everyone starts with a full stack. I prefer the full stack rule. Less extra work for the host, but if you have reoccurring late shows, the bonus chips may provide incentive (though it may simply discourage the late shows from attending at all).
But I cannot emphasize enough... START ON TIME. If you "wait" for Joe, Joe will always leave his house late. Frank will then decide that he can leave later, because it's not important. Next thing you know, people will arrive when they want, not when you want.
If you don't care when players arrive, pitch a cash game instead.
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I appreciate the thorough response. The only night we can have games is on a Friday, so there are consistently 4-6 people that show up late but before the buy-in period ends. I want to stick to a time but its all over the place. last game there were 5 people by starting time, but then 5 people showed up 10 minutes later. Everyone usually gets there within 30 minutes of start time.
I really like the 6/4 seating trick to easily break the table when the 11th player arrives.
Munchies11
Pair
I agree with tournaments you need strict start times. I would suggest give a window allowing players to come early and ensure they are on time.
Example - be here for 6 game starts at 7pm sharp.
Tournies are very tough lots of coordination by the host but it can be done. Good luck partner !
Example - be here for 6 game starts at 7pm sharp.
Tournies are very tough lots of coordination by the host but it can be done. Good luck partner !
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
Some things can't be helped. If someone has to work, go home to let out the dog, then crisscross the city to get to your place, they will always be late. On the other hand, some people can restructure their day, but wont if they feel they don't need to. Start on time. When people start seeing that they are missing out on some of the fun, those that can make it earlier, will.
FOMO is real, but only if they have something to miss.
good point, thanks
Incentivize being on time/early with an on-time bonus, say +10% of a stack.
Randomize all names to positions at the two tables. Start on time, blind and fold everybody not there.
Combine at 10 if you gave 18-20 players,
At 9 with 16-17, 8 with 14-15, etc.
Randomize all names to positions at the two tables. Start on time, blind and fold everybody not there.
Combine at 10 if you gave 18-20 players,
At 9 with 16-17, 8 with 14-15, etc.
Shove fest, and can prolong the game.
On time bonus, game starts 8, on time bonus for showing between 730 and 745. Gives time to get the formality out of the way (collecting $/giving chips and assigning seats). Late reg is rare, but would give til 830. Despite the rebuy window of say 10:00.
Also, a reminder message to show on time to better assist me as the host.
Piece mailing 2 tables is rough.
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
The problem is that you are getting dangerously close to the bubble. 5BB and win one flip and you are likely cashing. That's no longer poker, and not in the best interest of the game.
There is a concept in the philosophy of ethical thinking: "Imagine if everybody did it". Is that still ok, or does that "break" the system? If everybody showed up 3 hours late and started with 5BB, would that hamper the enjoyment of the game?
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I can vouch for this, cash games are such a mess people show up anywhere from 10 to 30 min late for a 6 handed game but when we do 16 person tournaments with an early bird bonus everyone is there 20 min early lmao
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