Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-covid, I regularly filled two tables with a wait list. Lately, the average is between 8 and 12. The minimum number of players is 6. I'm always looking to add players, feel free to refer a friend!

I pay never less than 25% of players and never more than 33%. For example, 9 players would pay 3 places (33%), and 12 players would pay 4 places (25%). Payouts are announced at the start of play and displayed on the game management software. 

I do not collect any type of player fee, seat charge, or rake. 100% of the money collected is paid out to players.

Game duration can vary depending on the number of players, but most games typically end between 11:00 pm and midnight. Once the clock gets to midnight, most players agree to a chop, but the decision to chop is 100% dependent on the players.

We use the Tournament Directors of America rules, long form. A copy of the rules is available from the link on the sidebar. As host, I act as Tournament Director, and my application and interpretation of the rules is final!

It's a fun home game that runs like a casino... folks who play in multiple home games tell me it is one of their favorite games. No rules Nazis, but everyone knows the rules and plays by them; etiquette and gameplay are on-point!

I don't serve alcohol for liability reasons; players who wish to enjoy a libation can bring their own. The mix of those who enjoy coffee/soda and adult beverages is about 50/50. If you're looking for a party, this is not your game!

We use a standard knock-out bounty; every player pays a $5  charge in addition to the buy-in and receives a bounty chip. If you are knocked out, the winning player collects your bounty chip and can cash it in for $5 at the end of the game. If you have earned several bounty chips by knocking out other players, but are then knocked out by another player, they will collect your bounty chip, but you will keep and cash out the chips you won from other players.

We do not use professional dealers, the game is self-dealt. We use two decks, and the deal rotates clockwise, advancing one player per hand. We use a big blind shuffle. A typical hand goes like this:

• While a hand is in play, the player in the big blind shuffles the deck from the previous hand.
• The hand in play completes.
• The big blind player passes the shuffled deck to the player on his right, who is now the dealer
• The dealer presents the shuffled deck to the player on his right, who cuts the deck
• Play resumes

Blinds start at 50/100 and increase every 20 minutes. After 10:00 pm, blind levels increase every 15 minutes.

Payout chops are determined by unanimous consent of the remaining players; the Tournament Director has no authority to set percentages. The most typical chop is an even split between the remaining players, but any distribution agreed to by all remaining players is acceptable. The game software can calculate ICM and equity chops if players decide against an even split.

The game runs much smoother if everyone can arrive on time and ready to play. If you are late, someone has to shuffle and deal for you, and manage your blinds. Misdeals, where the dealer forgets to deal to an empty seat, slow the game down and frustrate players. With this in mind, you are permitted to be up to 30 minutes late, at which time your chips are removed from play and you will be removed from the tournament.