So currently we do a 20 week format for my home poker game and everybody gets points based on how many people play that week and what place they finish. Those points go towards one big game at the end of the year where everybody’s chip totals are based on how they did all season. Half of everybody’s weekly buying creates the prize pool for the end of year tournament. It’s a decent format, but I was curious if anyone else had done anything similar/different. Just kind of looking for other ideas I might possibly be able to bring to our game. Thanks in advance!!
Tourney Season long poker tournament ideas (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ChipNup
- Start date
I would make the final tournament chip weighted to participation over performance as someone who’s not doing well has no incentive to keep playing thru the season.
Your current system is a rich getting richer system.
Your current system is a rich getting richer system.
Our current season is 20 weeks you have to play at least 10 weeks to qualify for the end of the season game so that helps entices people to keep playing as much as they can to try and generate more points but I definitely see your point.
I like it kind of like what the PGA does making the last few tournaments of the year worth more. I’ve been trying to think of some sort of playoff type thing for the last few weeks, but I don’t really want to eliminate anybody early.
My theory for why we go w participation is because the more ppl play throughout the season, more they contribute to the final game. They should slightly better shot to win some of that back.
Our league awards wsop seats and we reserve a final seat to the season ending freeroll that awards a seat for any player who doesn’t win one via points. Chips get awarded for that freeroll based on participation cuz they battle thru season and by playing each of the events knowing they can get some value by continuing to play.
For a league getting playing to come back each time is key.
Our league awards wsop seats and we reserve a final seat to the season ending freeroll that awards a seat for any player who doesn’t win one via points. Chips get awarded for that freeroll based on participation cuz they battle thru season and by playing each of the events knowing they can get some value by continuing to play.
For a league getting playing to come back each time is key.
How many sessions are in each season and what's the buy-in? I like the idea, and may steal it in part for our group.
I copy and pasted this answer of mine from an older thread @ChipNup but happy to answer any questions:
I've been running a league for 10 years now. We play once a week (48-50 weeks/year) with 8-10 players per week (T20k structure) and have found the following league structure to be excellent:
1st place: 10 points
2nd place: 6 points
3rd place: 3 points
4th place: 1 point ($ bubble boy still gets one point).
Top 3 are paid on a standard payout structure, evened out to the nearest $20 amount.
We play a $40 rebuy structure and the points are always the same but obviously the amounts the top 3 cash for will depend on total buyins. The more rebuys, the higher top 3 pay. We have a formula for buyins, rounded, standard.
Final Table / Withholding's:
If we have 12 or less buyins, we take $40 out of the weekly prize pool for the final table. If we have 13 or more we take $60 out. This goes directly to the Final Table prize pool (no rake). The top 8 players in the overall standings get a free roll at the final table, which takes place either in December or early January. The points system has allowed for extremely competitive finishes every single year. Perhaps more importantly, this structure *incentivizes strong attendance* as everyone is incentivized to play for what ends up being a ~$3000 free roll at the final table.
Final Table Starting Stacks:
We structure the final table (Free Roll) to award the higher finishing players during the entire year with more starting chips. This, again, incentivizes participation during the course of the year and also competition for each and every spot in the standings. Starting stacks at the final table are as follows:
1st: 40k
2nd: 35k
3rd: 32k
4th: 30k
5th: 28k
6th: 27k
7th: 26k
8th: 25k
The Final Table also features a much deeper structure than the regular season to allow for maximum play and also to give everyone a shot. The 8th place player, though starting with significantly less chips, has several hundred bbs to start and a structure that allows several hours or play until they get short. We have a trophy and a Google Doc "website" that tracks the full standings (results, payouts etc.)
It's been incredibly successful and a ton of fun. Happy to answer any other questions.
I've been running a league for 10 years now. We play once a week (48-50 weeks/year) with 8-10 players per week (T20k structure) and have found the following league structure to be excellent:
1st place: 10 points
2nd place: 6 points
3rd place: 3 points
4th place: 1 point ($ bubble boy still gets one point).
Top 3 are paid on a standard payout structure, evened out to the nearest $20 amount.
We play a $40 rebuy structure and the points are always the same but obviously the amounts the top 3 cash for will depend on total buyins. The more rebuys, the higher top 3 pay. We have a formula for buyins, rounded, standard.
Final Table / Withholding's:
If we have 12 or less buyins, we take $40 out of the weekly prize pool for the final table. If we have 13 or more we take $60 out. This goes directly to the Final Table prize pool (no rake). The top 8 players in the overall standings get a free roll at the final table, which takes place either in December or early January. The points system has allowed for extremely competitive finishes every single year. Perhaps more importantly, this structure *incentivizes strong attendance* as everyone is incentivized to play for what ends up being a ~$3000 free roll at the final table.
Final Table Starting Stacks:
We structure the final table (Free Roll) to award the higher finishing players during the entire year with more starting chips. This, again, incentivizes participation during the course of the year and also competition for each and every spot in the standings. Starting stacks at the final table are as follows:
1st: 40k
2nd: 35k
3rd: 32k
4th: 30k
5th: 28k
6th: 27k
7th: 26k
8th: 25k
The Final Table also features a much deeper structure than the regular season to allow for maximum play and also to give everyone a shot. The 8th place player, though starting with significantly less chips, has several hundred bbs to start and a structure that allows several hours or play until they get short. We have a trophy and a Google Doc "website" that tracks the full standings (results, payouts etc.)
It's been incredibly successful and a ton of fun. Happy to answer any other questions.
This was the older thread for reference:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/poker-leauge-discussions.102658/#post-2122942
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/poker-leauge-discussions.102658/#post-2122942
We used to do 15 in a season but now we are all older w families so we do 8 tournaments a season. Buy ins now are $100. With a $200 high roller and a $150 main event.
I'm sure I've posted mine before as well.
We do an 11 game season; 1 game per month, with a final game for all the money in the 12th month (which happens to be my October game). I use an elaborate formula to calculate points:
=(ROUND(LOG(($F$3+5)/A8,10)*100,0)*15)*2 (+100 points for each bounty acquired)
Cell $F$3 represents the total number of entries and rebuys
Cell A8 represents your rank.
In this example from my 1st game of the season with 25 entries and 9 rebuys (34 paid):
- the winner got 4770 points + 800 additional points for bounties. (5570 total)
- last place got 570 points.
I maintain a spreadsheet with the points, and these points become your starting stack for the final game.
Here's a snapshot of that (note, this is the highest our 1st place has ever been, as it's never eclipsed 30k before).
For my game, the top 36 players qualify for the final game. This season, the total pot is 4100 paid out to the top 6 and the high hand of the season ($120 going to @MikesDad for an 8-high straight flush). Sometimes I push that 36 out a bit if I have a long time regular on the final game bubble. I usually have 2-4 players that can't make the date anyway, and it works out.
Monthly games are T10k tournaments with a $60 buy-in. $40 goes to the current game, $10 bounty, and $10 to the final game. Rebuys (1 per person before the 1st break) are handled the same way. There are no pre-payments made, and no need to commit to playing in every game. Essentially, you get out of this what you put into it. I'm not a fan of "leagues" that require large deposits at the beginning, and make you commit to an entire season even when mathematically eliminated from the final game. I find that causes problems within the group (people tanking chips to others or just not showing up). Again, I've found this method works best for our group.
The only "rule" I have about the final game is that you have to have played in 2 or more games in the season to qualify. This prevents a player that won in their only event from making the game. (in all fairness to the players that attended more and didn't do as well throughout the season).
I've been doing this for the last 10 years or so (even though I call this "Season 5"), and I find it works perfectly for our group. Sometimes I forget to calculate split bounties and a few other little things that I could do better .. but at the end of the day, it doesn't really impact the bottom line. Season 6 starts in Nov.
Here are the final numbers for players in the current season. (I do a game in Dec with prizes and such, and do pull some of the $$ from the prize pool for that).
We do an 11 game season; 1 game per month, with a final game for all the money in the 12th month (which happens to be my October game). I use an elaborate formula to calculate points:
=(ROUND(LOG(($F$3+5)/A8,10)*100,0)*15)*2 (+100 points for each bounty acquired)
Cell $F$3 represents the total number of entries and rebuys
Cell A8 represents your rank.
In this example from my 1st game of the season with 25 entries and 9 rebuys (34 paid):
- the winner got 4770 points + 800 additional points for bounties. (5570 total)
- last place got 570 points.
I maintain a spreadsheet with the points, and these points become your starting stack for the final game.
Here's a snapshot of that (note, this is the highest our 1st place has ever been, as it's never eclipsed 30k before).
For my game, the top 36 players qualify for the final game. This season, the total pot is 4100 paid out to the top 6 and the high hand of the season ($120 going to @MikesDad for an 8-high straight flush). Sometimes I push that 36 out a bit if I have a long time regular on the final game bubble. I usually have 2-4 players that can't make the date anyway, and it works out.
Monthly games are T10k tournaments with a $60 buy-in. $40 goes to the current game, $10 bounty, and $10 to the final game. Rebuys (1 per person before the 1st break) are handled the same way. There are no pre-payments made, and no need to commit to playing in every game. Essentially, you get out of this what you put into it. I'm not a fan of "leagues" that require large deposits at the beginning, and make you commit to an entire season even when mathematically eliminated from the final game. I find that causes problems within the group (people tanking chips to others or just not showing up). Again, I've found this method works best for our group.
The only "rule" I have about the final game is that you have to have played in 2 or more games in the season to qualify. This prevents a player that won in their only event from making the game. (in all fairness to the players that attended more and didn't do as well throughout the season).
I've been doing this for the last 10 years or so (even though I call this "Season 5"), and I find it works perfectly for our group. Sometimes I forget to calculate split bounties and a few other little things that I could do better .. but at the end of the day, it doesn't really impact the bottom line. Season 6 starts in Nov.
Here are the final numbers for players in the current season. (I do a game in Dec with prizes and such, and do pull some of the $$ from the prize pool for that).
Last edited:
buzzmonkey
Flush
I play in two by two different hosts.
Summer is a $40 buy-in. $5 of each buy-in goes to the championship game. Points are awarded based on finish. At the end of the season there is a final table where the top 10 players play down for top 3 season prize money.
Winter is $150 up front. Points awarded based on finish. Lowest three scores are tossed. Top point earner at the end gets 15% of the league pot. All players return for the final to fight for the rest and usually top 3-4 are paid.
Summer is a $40 buy-in. $5 of each buy-in goes to the championship game. Points are awarded based on finish. At the end of the season there is a final table where the top 10 players play down for top 3 season prize money.
Winter is $150 up front. Points awarded based on finish. Lowest three scores are tossed. Top point earner at the end gets 15% of the league pot. All players return for the final to fight for the rest and usually top 3-4 are paid.
GrindstonePoker
Two Pair
My league
$30 entry ($5 pulled for championship pool) freezeout format
We usually get between 12-16 players
Points based on finish and how many entries.
Top 8 in season standings make it to the championship game with no entry fee and a $20 play-in tournament comprised of everyone else outside the top 8 for a 9th wildcard seat. All the entry money from the play-in tournament is put into the championship pool.
Payout 1st - 3rd
$100 to top season finisher
$30 entry ($5 pulled for championship pool) freezeout format
We usually get between 12-16 players
Points based on finish and how many entries.
Top 8 in season standings make it to the championship game with no entry fee and a $20 play-in tournament comprised of everyone else outside the top 8 for a 9th wildcard seat. All the entry money from the play-in tournament is put into the championship pool.
Payout 1st - 3rd
$100 to top season finisher
bigdonkey
Straight
We do a 10 game season + Championship. Something new I did at the end of last year was let the top 10 in points each choose a game for next year. Plus, the Championship winner gets to pick the championship game for next year, with the caveat that it can't be a variant of the game they won. So, this year the championship was Hold 'em, so they had to pick a game other than Hold' em/Pineapple.
Our upcoming schedule includes:
Hold' em: 1x
Pineapple: 3x
Omaha/8: 1x
A-5 Triple Draw: 1x
7-Card Stud: 1x
Razz: 1x
7CS/8: 1x
Mixed Game: 1x
Omaha: 1x (Championship Game)
Something else new I'm trying this year is an optional Tournament of Champions. For the trial run, it's a $5 opt-in before the season starts. Anyone who opts-in and wins a tournament (and Player of the Year, if they didn't win a tournament) will play a winner-take-all Dealer's Choice tournament for all of the ToC buy-ins collected.
Our upcoming schedule includes:
Hold' em: 1x
Pineapple: 3x
Omaha/8: 1x
A-5 Triple Draw: 1x
7-Card Stud: 1x
Razz: 1x
7CS/8: 1x
Mixed Game: 1x
Omaha: 1x (Championship Game)
Something else new I'm trying this year is an optional Tournament of Champions. For the trial run, it's a $5 opt-in before the season starts. Anyone who opts-in and wins a tournament (and Player of the Year, if they didn't win a tournament) will play a winner-take-all Dealer's Choice tournament for all of the ToC buy-ins collected.
I like this formula a lot, I can imagine it took a bunch of experience to get to it. It's really smooth. Mind if I steal it?
I am looking to set up a small online league with friends (probably only ever 6-8 players at a time) and to slightly more heavily award participation than one might normally. To that end, I messed around a bit and I think I would adjust the formula as follows:
=(ROUND(LOG(($F$3+30)/A8,10)*100,0)*10)*2
Which tightens up the split of points a bit. No bounties.
Go for it. I got it from Neau's site a long time back, and tweaked it a bit for my liking too.
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
I like the @krafticus (Dr Neau) system, but have elected different system.
The bulk of points are earned for cashing only. Because most games are MTT, I felt it just wasn't fair to say #22 played worse than #18. #18 might have been playing at a softer table. It also avoids the "playing for points" where a chip leader can just fold into first place by finishing 15th. Besides, you should always play for the money. 1st place money or min cash, both are valid strategies based on your personal risk tolerance, but always play for the money.
I like to make the point calculations easy. 1st gets 2x the number of entries (3x if the buy in is larger, such as the last game of the year). 20 players with 7 rebuys is 27x2=54 points. Do a head count in the room and you know immediately how many points you can gain on the leader (or expand your own lead).
2nd place gets 70% of 1st place points.
3rd place gets 60% of 1st place points.
4th place gets 50% of 1st place points (provided the position is paid).
5th place gets 40% of 1st place points (provided the position is paid).
6th place gets 30% of 1st place points (provided the position is paid).
All that attend get 2 points (3 for the finale).
This is much simpler to point and say "I need Ben to finish 4th or worst and I need a win", because it does not involve the use of engineer-lever math functions. It also encourages attendance, and requires all big point earners to play against the best players of the night.
The bulk of points are earned for cashing only. Because most games are MTT, I felt it just wasn't fair to say #22 played worse than #18. #18 might have been playing at a softer table. It also avoids the "playing for points" where a chip leader can just fold into first place by finishing 15th. Besides, you should always play for the money. 1st place money or min cash, both are valid strategies based on your personal risk tolerance, but always play for the money.
I like to make the point calculations easy. 1st gets 2x the number of entries (3x if the buy in is larger, such as the last game of the year). 20 players with 7 rebuys is 27x2=54 points. Do a head count in the room and you know immediately how many points you can gain on the leader (or expand your own lead).
2nd place gets 70% of 1st place points.
3rd place gets 60% of 1st place points.
4th place gets 50% of 1st place points (provided the position is paid).
5th place gets 40% of 1st place points (provided the position is paid).
6th place gets 30% of 1st place points (provided the position is paid).
All that attend get 2 points (3 for the finale).
This is much simpler to point and say "I need Ben to finish 4th or worst and I need a win", because it does not involve the use of engineer-lever math functions. It also encourages attendance, and requires all big point earners to play against the best players of the night.
Do you then use points to adjust starting stacks for a final? If so, with what formula?
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
No. Because we run a small embroidery business, we offer to embroider a shirt, hat or a windbreaker for the annual champion.
The only way I could see altering the final stack is if the event was totally free - otherwise, it feels like a -EV event going in, knowing that you are playing against players that had a better year and they get more chips.
As a cash incentive, we reserve ~10% of the initial buy-in each event. The highest finishing eligible player gets that (expecting $315 this year) on top of their prize money. To be eligible, you must attend over 50% of the events. There are 8 for everyone and 1 night that is ladies only (though men - if they bring a lady - can attend and stay in the kitchen, serve the ladies drinks, and play in the servants cash game). We also have a Reminderband bracelet.
That way even Fishy McDonk has an equal chance of winning the bracelet.
I don’t use a formula, but we do have set starting stacks for the final 8 positions at the Ft and announce that at the start of the year so that everyone is incentivized to not only make the FT but finish high in the standings.
I’ve always wanted to play in a league that spread different games each month. A 2-7 Single Draw tourney would be a fun one to have in that mix as well.
We used to do this as well when we were 20-30 ppl in our games. Now it’s 80-100 so just 2 card is the most simple game to deal and play.
Our mixed games are online now as it’s faster to chop pots and deal 4+ cards to each player.
Create an account or login to comment
You must be a member in order to leave a comment
Create account
Create an account and join our community. It's easy!
Log in
Already have an account? Log in here.
Similar threads
