How to Run a Home Poker Tournament

Starting stacks

Give every player the same stack, with 100 to 200 big blinds at the first level so nobody is forced all in early. 10,000 chips with blinds of 25 and 50 gives 200 big blinds, enough for a relaxed start.

Use about four chip colours, such as 25, 100, 500 and 1,000, so players can make change without a bank.

Blind levels

Levels of 15 to 20 minutes finish a ten-player game in three to four hours. Raise the blinds by roughly a third to a half each level, for example 25/50, 50/100, 75/150, 100/200, 150/300, 200/400, 300/600, 400/800, 600/1,200 and 800/1,600.

Add an ante from around the fifth level if the game is slowing down. Shorter levels speed the game up more than bigger jumps do, and feel fairer.

Breaks and chip-ups

Take a ten-minute break every hour or so. At a break, colour up the smallest chips once the small blind no longer needs them, rounding odd chips to the nearest larger chip.

Payouts

With five players or fewer, pay the winner, or 70% and 30% to the top two. With six to ten players, 50%, 30% and 20% to the top three is the common split. Agree on payouts, rebuys and the last time to buy in before the first hand.

Check the rules where you live. Many places allow social games only when the host takes no cut of the buy-ins.

Questions

How long should blind levels be in a home game?

15 to 20 minutes. That finishes a ten-player tournament in three to four hours.

How should I split the prize pool?

For six to ten players, 50% to first, 30% to second and 20% to third. With fewer players, pay the top two or the winner only.