Figured I’d share what I’ve been working on for the Irish Guys Poker Club and see what you all think. I’ve got a set of Isle of Capri (IOC) Bossier City hot stamped tournament chips that I’m putting into play for a home Hold’em tournament, and I want to make sure I’m getting the most out of this breakdown.
Depending on how many players we get and how long we want to play, I’ve come up with a few different ways to run it. Before I lock anything in, I’d really appreciate some feedback from everyone here who’s done this before.
Here’s what I’m working with:
• 300 × 5 chips
• 300 × 25 chips
• 240 × 100 chips
• 160 × 500 chips
I put together three different setups that seem to flow well. Each one fits a certain kind of night depending on the crowd.
Option A – Irish Guys Standard Structure
The baseline setup that fits most nights. Smooth pace, good stack depth, and enough room to play without dragging the night out.
• Starting Stack: T5,000
• Breakdown: 12 × 25 chips, 7 × 100 chips, 8 × 500 chips
• Max Players: 20
Option B – Big Game Setup
For those nights when everyone shows up and wants action. A faster structure that keeps things moving and plenty of chips on the table.
• Starting Stack: T3,000
• Breakdown: 12 × 25 chips, 7 × 100 chips, 4 × 500 chips
• Max Players: 25
Option C – Deep Stack Night
Best for smaller groups who want to settle in and play. Slower blinds, deeper stacks, and more time to think through hands.
• Starting Stack: T10,000
• Breakdown: 20 × 25 chips, 15 × 100 chips, 16 × 500 chips
• Max Players: 10
Blind Structure:
Starting blinds at 25 / 50 and building from there:
• 50 / 100
• 75 / 150
• 100 / 200
• 150 / 300
• 200 / 400
• 300 / 600
• 400 / 800
• 500 / 1,000
• 700 / 1,400
• 1,000 / 2,000
• 1,500 / 3,000
• 2,000 / 4,000
Level Times:
• Irish Guys Standard Structure – 20 minutes
• Big Game Setup – 15 minutes
• Deep Stack Night – 25 minutes
Color Up Plan:
• Skipping the 5 chips at the start
• Color up the 25 chips around 300 / 600 or 400 / 800
• 5 chips might get used for bounties or a small add-on (20 × 5 chips = T500) just to put them to use
What I’d love some input on:
• Which setup feels the most balanced for this chip count
• Any tweaks you’d make to the blinds or stack sizes
• If I were to buy more chips for this Isle of Capri (IOC) Bossier City hot stamped tournament set, what would you add or change
I’m still debating if I should allow rebuys or not. Some of my group want one rebuy per player, others think it changes the flow of the game. I’d be curious to hear how you all handle that.
Also, what’s your take on starting with 25 chips in tournaments? I know that one never has a clear answer, but I’d like to hear how others feel about it.
Always appreciate the input from this group. You all have seen every kind of setup imaginable, and I know I’ll get some solid advice here.
Depending on how many players we get and how long we want to play, I’ve come up with a few different ways to run it. Before I lock anything in, I’d really appreciate some feedback from everyone here who’s done this before.
Here’s what I’m working with:
• 300 × 5 chips
• 300 × 25 chips
• 240 × 100 chips
• 160 × 500 chips
I put together three different setups that seem to flow well. Each one fits a certain kind of night depending on the crowd.
Option A – Irish Guys Standard Structure
The baseline setup that fits most nights. Smooth pace, good stack depth, and enough room to play without dragging the night out.
• Starting Stack: T5,000
• Breakdown: 12 × 25 chips, 7 × 100 chips, 8 × 500 chips
• Max Players: 20
Option B – Big Game Setup
For those nights when everyone shows up and wants action. A faster structure that keeps things moving and plenty of chips on the table.
• Starting Stack: T3,000
• Breakdown: 12 × 25 chips, 7 × 100 chips, 4 × 500 chips
• Max Players: 25
Option C – Deep Stack Night
Best for smaller groups who want to settle in and play. Slower blinds, deeper stacks, and more time to think through hands.
• Starting Stack: T10,000
• Breakdown: 20 × 25 chips, 15 × 100 chips, 16 × 500 chips
• Max Players: 10
Blind Structure:
Starting blinds at 25 / 50 and building from there:
• 50 / 100
• 75 / 150
• 100 / 200
• 150 / 300
• 200 / 400
• 300 / 600
• 400 / 800
• 500 / 1,000
• 700 / 1,400
• 1,000 / 2,000
• 1,500 / 3,000
• 2,000 / 4,000
Level Times:
• Irish Guys Standard Structure – 20 minutes
• Big Game Setup – 15 minutes
• Deep Stack Night – 25 minutes
Color Up Plan:
• Skipping the 5 chips at the start
• Color up the 25 chips around 300 / 600 or 400 / 800
• 5 chips might get used for bounties or a small add-on (20 × 5 chips = T500) just to put them to use
What I’d love some input on:
• Which setup feels the most balanced for this chip count
• Any tweaks you’d make to the blinds or stack sizes
• If I were to buy more chips for this Isle of Capri (IOC) Bossier City hot stamped tournament set, what would you add or change
I’m still debating if I should allow rebuys or not. Some of my group want one rebuy per player, others think it changes the flow of the game. I’d be curious to hear how you all handle that.
Also, what’s your take on starting with 25 chips in tournaments? I know that one never has a clear answer, but I’d like to hear how others feel about it.
Always appreciate the input from this group. You all have seen every kind of setup imaginable, and I know I’ll get some solid advice here.
