Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Hosting a poker tournament at home can be a lot of fun. The right organization is the key to success. Don't forget the poker timer to keep players interested in tracking the progress of the tournament.

Steps

1. 1 Buy a set of poker chips. The best set available is a set of 500 chips weighing 11.5 grams. With 1,000 chips, you can easily host a 2-table tournament for 20 players.
2. 2 Depending on the size of the chip set, you will need 8 to 20 participants minimum.
3. 3 Start with the blinds at 10-20 and raise them every 15 minutes. Thus, the tournament will not last all night.
4. 4 If you have more than three different colors of chips in your set, assign larger denominations of 500 and 1000. This way, you will be able to gradually withdraw the small chips.
5. 5 Remember to keep your buy-ins at an acceptable level. You shouldn't discourage people from participating. 150 rubles is the most suitable amount for those wishing to play.
6. 6 The prize fund should be distributed as follows: 50% for the winner, 30% for the runner-up and 20% for the third place winner. If your tournament is played on two tables (20 players), declare the top 4 participants as winners.

Tips

• Get a poker timer.You can use those that are installed on your computer or laptop - this way, all players can keep track of the time, payouts and changes in the blinds. It will also make your tournament more impressive.
• Organizing live money games for eliminated players is a good way to keep up the tension from the early hours. Also games for non-tournament players will add interest - consider installing a game console or board games.
• When serving snacks to players, try to avoid sticky food that may end up on chips, cards, and tables. Stop for simple snacks like crackers. If you are worried about your tables, keep drinks away from them.
• Consider buying plastic cards that can be washed. They are difficult to damage and can be washed off even if spilled on them. Two good brands of plastic cards are Kem and Copag.
• Think of a revolving tournament, where players who are eliminated from the first tournament (as well as those who are late to the start) can immediately start a new tournament. This way, problems with the venue of the first losers' evening can be avoided.
• Use two decks with different backs to distinguish between already shuffled decks and transfer them between dealers. This will speed things up a lot.

Warnings

• If you are going to charge a participation fee, make sure it is legal. Most states and counties make it clear that your home turns into a casino as soon as you start charging. This can get you into trouble. Avoid additional fees and alternate the tournament venue with other people's homes. This will split the costs.