Tourney Difference in starting stacks? (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyR80]

What’s the difference between a tournament with a starting stack of 1K vs 10K? or 10K vs 20K, etc. If everyone starts with 200BB regardless of the starting stack size, what difference does it make? Also, only talking in regards to 1 table in play.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

The jumps. If its 1/5/25/100/500, that's different than 25/100/500/1000/5000.

Doesn't make a huge difference but that 500/1000 jump that most chip sets have is weird compared to all the others being 4 or 5x. Even less difference if you're starting with 200bb regardless, some tourneys are shorter or longer than that regarding stacks.

 

[allforcharity]

You just want a reasonable starting stack that's not too heavy (or light) on your lowest 2 denoms because they will get colored up anyway. And too few may get annoying for constant change making.
Other than that, do what you like.

 

[BGinGA]

Some sets are easier to use than others, simply because the resulting math is easier for (most) human brains.

In general, multiples of 1 and 5 are more difficult than multiples of 25 and 100.

 

[Mr Winberg]

In general, multiples of 1 and 5 are more difficult than multiples of 25 and 100.

...for people of nations that calc X×25 frequently (or did while they were young), due to having e.g. quarters in their currency. Before I started playing poker I didn't instantly see that 7×25 is 175. I still can't instantly "see" that 13×25 is 325. 7×50=350 and 13×50=650 however just pop up in my brain. Because when I was young, Sweden had 0.50 coins but no 0.25 coins.

I find that the 25 chip is the one that newcomers to my game have a slight problem with. So if it's about easy math, Swedish sets would be 50/100/500/1000... instead of 25/...

The solution is easy, just start at 100!

In general, multiples of 1

I just can't see this, sorry. 13×1? 13×10? Isn't that an insta-calc for all human brains, regardless of domestic currency? Honest question!

 

[BGinGA]

I just can't see this, sorry. 13×1? 13×10? Isn't that an insta-calc for all human brains, regardless of domestic currency? Honest question!

It's more about the subsequent bets that arise from the blind levels that use higher multiples of 1 (4/8, 6/12, 8/16). Maybe not as taxing as using T5s at higher levels, but quuckly calculating a 2.5x or 3x raise isn't easy for many people.

But your point regarding 25s is well-founded. Also an excellent reason for non-US sets starting with lower denominations to use 10 and/or 20 vs a 25 chip.

Or just start at 100.

 

[KHarp1]

As mentioned, the are no hard rules on this, so what works for you. A lot of "amateur" tourney players like to see lots of chips in front of them, but, that becomes more of a problem for the provider.

One of the monthly tournaments I play in uses a 30k +3k on time bonus. It's very laid back in its blind raises. 30 minute level increases, starts out 100/200, 200/400, 300/600, 500/1000. At this 4th level they take a pizza break. They're are 5 rebuys total up until this time. Helps cut down on some of the crazy all in's.