Setting a 'table director' when seating tournaments (2 Viewers)

[drdr]

Advice welcome for tonight's game. Twenty years of hosting but the player list for tonight is a little unique. Will be directing/playing a two table tournament, but somehow ended up with very few experienced players I know could supervise or direct a table.

Of the 13 players, four players have never played, three have played only a handful of games. Of the six regulars I judge only three could run a table well; myself and two others.

Have always randomized seating just prior to the game. But this time am worried that could result in one of the two tables without a competent table director.

Few options I've considered:
- Assign one solid table director player to each table.
- Myself to not play and only host/direct/assist.
- Let regs, competent or not, work it out.

Other options? Anyone had a similar situation and have tips?

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

I assign a table director for mine. No its not truly random, but its to protect my game Im not paying a floor man lol. I dont feel bad having someone to answer rules questions at each table or dedicated dealer/whatever. Just makes my life easier when Ive got 17 mooks in my house and Im trying to feed em all while playing.

This only helps my newbies have a good time which is front and center to my decision making.

 

[ValueTown]

Pick a trusted friend to moderate the table. I announcement it when we start. Have fun!

 

[Munchies11]

You def have to play! I would say randomize the tables so it’s fair and organic as it should be . And either 1 pray that both tables have someone competent to supervise and direct . If not than just have to monitor that table from yours and everyone just has to accept that you or whoever you appoint from your table will have to be interrupted to help the other table. Kind of like a group effort thing.

 

[drdr]

I assign a table director for mine. No its not truly random, but its to protect my game Im not paying a floor man lol. I dont feel bad having someone to answer rules questions at each table or dedicated dealer/whatever. Just makes my life easier when Ive got 17 mooks in my house and Im trying to feed em all while playing.

This only helps my newbies have a good time which is front and center to my decision making.

This is a good point. Smooth running tables would reduce newb stress/confusion. More likely to return.

 

[drdr]

Game setup controversy!

Many new players. I give a small starting stack bonus to new players and the person who brings them.
I brought two new players; competitive regs say host shouldn't get the bonuses

 

[Munchies11]

Good way of recruiting I like it !

Game setup controversy!

Many new players. I give a small starting stack bonus to new players and the person who brings them.
I brought two new players; competitive regs say host shouldn't get the bonuses

That’s good way of recruiting I like it ! I get their point in a way but at end of day it’s your game and your helping it grow so they can enjoy it too so I’m on your side . Same rules across the board and you have to host which comes a lot in your shoulder every game !

 

[Nine_high]

- Assign one solid table director player to each table.

I generally do this... I ask a trusted regular to be table captain at table two while I am captain at table one. Make rulings, manage pots, handle rebuys etc.

We draw for seats. The captains get the aces and choose our seats while the rest fall in place.

Game setup controversy!

Many new players. I give a small starting stack bonus to new players and the person who brings them.
I brought two new players; competitive regs say host shouldn't get the bonuses

I don't give bring a friend bonuses. I rather like the idea but I don't think I would feel right awarding them to myself.

Interestingly I do give on time bonuses and I do award that to myself. No one has complained.

 

[drdr]

I generally do this... I ask a trusted regular to be table captain at table two while I am captain at table one. Make rulings, manage pots, handle rebuys etc.

...

I don't give bring a friend bonuses. I rather like the idea but I don't think I would feel right awarding them to myself.

I guess the worry I have for assigning a table captain was it is seen as an advantage to be at a different table to myself. The other captain candidates know this and may not like their competitor getting that.

Hmm. Maybe rotate the captain duty each game night?

 

[Nine_high]

I guess the worry I have for assigning a table captain was it is seen as an advantage to be at a different table to myself. The other captain candidates know this and may not like their competitor getting that.

Hmm. Maybe rotate the captain duty each game night?

I don't know. If it's that big of an advantage (real or perceived), yeah you could rotate.

Or make a captains pile for seat draw so all the candidates have an equal random chance. Like set the ace aside and put three random cards with it and the four captain buddies draw from there.

 

[BGinGA]

Advice welcome for tonight's game. Twenty years of hosting but the player list for tonight is a little unique. Will be directing/playing a two table tournament, but somehow ended up with very few experienced players I know could supervise or direct a table.

Of the 13 players, four players have never played, three have played only a handful of games. Of the six regulars I judge only three could run a table well; myself and two others.

Have always randomized seating just prior to the game. But this time am worried that could result in one of the two tables without a competent table director.

Few options I've considered:
- Assign one solid table director player to each table.
- Myself to not play and only host/direct/assist.
- Let regs, competent or not, work it out.

Other options? Anyone had a similar situation and have tips?

Are you passing the deal with all of these new and inexperienced players? If so, seriously consider having just one (or two) regulars deal (or best case, use designated non-playing dealers).

As host, I would exempt myself from any bring-a-player bonus. That's part of my job, the bonus is to encourage others to help.

 

[tabletalker7]

I guess the worry I have for assigning a table captain was it is seen as an advantage to be at a different table to myself.

Actually it is the other way around. You and your table captains know each other well enough to stay out of trouble when one of you has something. Just like they said in Rounders when they were in Atlantic City "you don't see piranhas eating their own". The three of you on one table could easily run over everyone else until it is just you 3. By splitting you up, you force all 3 of you to earn your way to the final table.

 

[drdr]

Are you passing the deal with all of these new and inexperienced players? If so, seriously consider having just one (or two) regulars deal (or best case, use designated non-playing dealers).

As host, I would exempt myself from any bring-a-player bonus. That's part of my job, the bonus is to encourage others to help.

Good input. Game was last night.

Yes, passing the deal. But the regs were training/guiding and picking up a few extra deals off newbs on occasion when the struggled. Newbs did well on picking up how to shuff/deal, though shuffling behind caused some confusion (but without major interruptions). Worked out better than I expected.

Yeah, I felt the same in not taking new player bonus. But core regs insisted I should. Sometimes stuff is upside down I guess.

 

[drdr]

Actually it is the other way around. You and your table captains know each other well enough to stay out of trouble when one of you has something. Just like they said in Rounders when they were in Atlantic City "you don't see piranhas eating their own". The three of you on one table could easily run over everyone else until it is just you 3. By splitting you up, you force all 3 of you to earn your way to the final table.

Yeah, you spotted something here. I'd say it is mixed. Some of my captainish regs are nits that struggle against me. But some others are solid players that your observation is accurate for.

 

[Dugthefish]

For bigger MTTs (3+ tables), I assign a trusted reg to seat 1 of each table. I make sure the field knows that the "table captain" is not responsible to make rulings, only to facilitate the flow of the game (who's actions, make sure pots are correct, who's shuffling/dealing, etc). These players are also immune from being moved until their table breaks. I do not play if there are 3 or more tables, 5 or more and I have an non-playing assistant TD.

 

[drdr]

For bigger MTTs (3+ tables), I assign a trusted reg to seat 1 of each table. I make sure the field knows that the "table captain" is not responsible to make rulings, only to facilitate the flow of the game (who's actions, make sure pots are correct, who's shuffling/dealing, etc). These players are also immune from being moved until their table breaks. I do not play if there are 3 or more tables, 5 or more and I have an non-playing assistant TD.

Perfect setup. And so cool.
Ever get disagreement on who gets the role at each table?

 

[Dugthefish]

Perfect setup. And so cool.
Ever get disagreement on who gets the role at each table?

Never. Have to make sure you carefully select TCs for personality more than rules knowledge. Just someone to kind of guide the action and get floor when needed. Make the wrong guy TC, and you could have problems lol