Tourney Need help on first small home tournament (2 Viewers)

[Ferello]

So we're a relaxed group of 6-8 novice Friends who like to play small stakes cash games, a few of us have little tournament playing experience let alone hosting one. I've come into a tournament set(nothing special) and would love to try a tournament one night to see if the guy's enjoy it.
We usually play at a push for about 4ish hours and that includes a couple small breaks for food. In general hands are pretty slow and chatty and if it matters we usually play 25/25 with a £25 buy-in with rebuys if felted.

I'm looking for advice on a blind/rebuy/break/colour up structure, starting stacks and prize pool splits, I have a 800 chip tournament set with plenty of denominations (25/100/500/1000/500) so no worries on chip shortages.

I understand there is plenty of advice already out there on the forums, youtube etc but it seems to be targeted at bigger groups, experienced players and longer games. I know I'm asking for a lot here so any help is greatly appreciated! looking forward to hosting my first tournament!

 

[BPTDirector]

T1000 starting stacks
12 25
12 100
5 500
6 1000

15 minute blinds rounds

25/50
50/100
75/150
100/200
150/300
200/400
300/600
400/800
500/1000
600/1200
700/1400
1000/2000
2000/4000

Should be done by then.

 

[Colquhoun]

Here’s the best coloring up video I have seen, and it’s also done by a PCF member:

 

[Ferello]

Here’s the best coloring up video I have seen, and it’s also done by a PCF member:

Yeh I've been working my way through his videos! Very helpful for when I was getting my cash games started, I guess with 10-20k stacks only the 25s need changing?

 

[Ferello]

T1000 starting stacks
12 25
12 100
5 500
6 1000

15 minute blinds rounds

25/50
50/100
75/150
100/200
150/300
200/400
300/600
400/800
500/1000
600/1200
700/1400
1000/2000
2000/4000

Should be done by then.

Thanks looking good!

 

[BPTDirector]

Sorry it’s T10,000. Typos suck.

 

[iLogik]

Here’s the best coloring up video I have seen, and it’s also done by a PCF member:

Look at his tournament stack video very useful

 

[Tonystark137]

Only variation from the video would be maybe more small chips on the felt if your players are not good at doing change.

 

[Colquhoun]

Only variation from the video would be maybe more small chips on the felt if your players are not good at doing change.

But only if you already have plenty of lower denoms. However, the most efficient sets have just enough of the lower denoms for the amount of players…any more is a waste.
If getting a new set, use that cash to maybe get an upgraded set, not more unnecessary chips.

 

[Tonystark137]

But only if you already have plenty of lower denoms. However, the most efficient sets have just enough of the lower denoms for the amount of players…any more is a waste.
If getting a new set, use that cash to maybe get an upgraded set, not more unnecessary chips.

Heeey we love a chips equally. Even the unnecessary ones.

No dice chips though.

 

[Colquhoun]

Yeh I've been working my way through his videos! Very helpful for when I was getting my cash games started, I guess with 10-20k stacks only the 25s need changing?

I guess you can't color up the 100s until late, but it depends on your progression.

 

[Pinesol13]

I would guess that the biggest difference that your group will have to get used to is the timed levels for blinds.

One of my regular games is with 4 close friends, and it sounds similar to yours. Very casual, hands can be slow, a lot of chatting. It's not unusual for us to go through a 15 minute level without even making a full orbit around the table.

I'd recommend figuring a way to keep things moving along

 

[Defarse]

T100 base; 25,000 stack, 10/8/10/2 of 100/500/1000/5000

100/200
200/300
200/400
300/600
400/800
600/1200
1000/1500
Break/Color-up 100 and 500
1000/2000
2000/3000
2000/4000
3000/6000
4000/8000

You could add a 100/100 level if you wanted to and/or adjust blind level times. I use 20 minutes for the first 6 levels and 10 minutes for the last 6 just to speed things up as we do 3 of these a night......about 2.5/3 hours each.

Color up is very simple with 5k chips as there is 5,000 of 100s and 500s in each starting stack. Chip leader buys up all of the 100s and 500s......race off the remaining 100s and 500s with 500s and 1,000s from chip leader's stack and then chip leader receives one 5k chip for each starting stack. Rebuys with only 5k chips.

Here are payouts I use:
2-3 Entries: 1st = Pot
4-5 Entries: 1st = Pot less buy-in; 2nd = buy-in
6-7 Entries: 1st = Pot less 2x buy-in; 2nd = 2x buy-in
8+ Entries: 1st = Pot less 3x buy-in; 2nd = 2x buy-in; 3rd = buy-in

Color up and chip race:

 

[Preditor]

Only variation from the video would be maybe more small chips on the felt if your players are not good at doing change.

Second this. Love Chris' videos, but I prefer the 12/12/5/6 breakdown for T10K with more novice players, for a variety of reasons.

But definitely do a chip round-up, not race off. You want to make sure you're enjoying the break as well.

If you need a timer, www.blindvalet.com is my preferred. I pay for it , but it has a free version for up to 9 players. It takes lot of tournament management duties off of you.

 

[Ferello]

Second this. Love Chris' videos, but I prefer the 12/12/5/6 breakdown for T10K with more novice players, for a variety of reasons.

But definitely do a chip round-up, not race off. You want to make sure you're enjoying the break as well.

If you need a timer, www.blindvalet.com is my preferred. I pay for it , but it has a free version for up to 9 players. It takes lot of tournament management duties off of you.

Are T100 denomination chips usually rounded up to 500s in T10ks or just the 25s? Lets say you have only 50 T500s and they're all evenly dispersed how would you go about round up the 100s? I assume some trading and math lol.

 

[allforcharity]

Are T100 denomination chips usually rounded up to 500s in T10ks or just the 25s? Lets say you have only 50 T500s and they're all evenly dispersed how would you go about round up the 100s? I assume some trading and math lol.

You can drop 100-200 and round up 300-400.
You can have the biggest stack purchase all the 100s and then colour up with 500s, 1000s, or what have you.

 

[Preditor]

Are T100 denomination chips usually rounded up to 500s in T10ks or just the 25s? Lets say you have only 50 T500s and they're all evenly dispersed how would you go about round up the 100s? I assume some trading and math lol.

Yes, some trading and math. But it's actually really simple. The color-up video shared above from @Chris Manzoni explains this really well.

To round up any denomination, bring out one or two of your largest denomination (in this case T5000s). Trade those for some T500-1000s from people at the table, and THEN color-up the T100s.

So to "color-up to T500s" doesn't mean you need a ton more T500s. It just means when the T100s are gone, the T500 is now the smallest denomination. You actually introduce more value to the table through the largest denomination.

It's makes much more sense in the video. Trust me

 

[Ben8257]

For single table tournies with novice players I prefer 15k starting stacks with lots of chips.... years and years of people on here talking about efficiency... blah blah... more chips is more fun especially in a single table setting. If you have the chips to cover it... I actually recommend 16/16/8/9 starting stacks. 100% the standard 12/12 works and absolutely recommend in a multi table game... but single table with noobs go ahead and give em lots of chips to enjoy!

Bored at work and been a while since I broke one of these down so let's go!

8 players 15k starting stacks
16 x 25 = 400 x 8 = 128 (T25)
16 x 100 = 1600 x 8 = 128 (T100)
8 x 500 = 4000 x 8 = 64 (T500)
9 X 1000 = 9000 x 8 = 72 (T1000)

Rebuys 1 - 4
5 x 100 = 500 × 4 = 20
3 x 500 = 1500 x 4 = 12
3 x 1000 = 3000 x 4 = 12
2 x 5000 = 10k x 4 = 8

Rebuys 5 - 8
5 x 1000 = 5000 x 4 = 20
2 x 5000 = 10k x 4 = 8

Rebuys 9 - 12
3 x 5000 = 15k × 4 = 12

So total chips ready to go before the clock starts...
(T25) - 128, (T100) - 148, (T500) - 76, (T1000) - 104, (T5000) - 28

Chip up #1 remove t25s (128×25) = 3,200 (round up an extra chip of the next denom per player for odd chips, next denom is t100 so add 800 for 8 players) /4000RU so we add (10) T100 (6) T500

Chip up #2 remove T100s (158 × 100) =15,800/20,000RU so we add (10) T500 (15) T1000

Chip up #3 remove T500s (92 x 500) = 46,000/54,000RU so we add (14) T1000 (8) T5000

With this small of a group you typically do not need to Chip up again.

So total chips needed
T25 = 128
T100 = 158
T500 = 92
T1000 = 133
T5000 = 36
547 chips

I run 20 minute levels of
25/50
50/100
75/150
125/250
10 minute break/ chip up #1
200/400
300/600
500/1000
800/1600
1200/2400
10 minute break chip up #2 and final rebuy
1500/3000
2000/4000
2500/5000
3500/7000
10 minute break chip up #3
5000/10k
8000/16k
12k/24k
Should be finished before there depending in # of rebuys.

Drop that down to 15 minute levels and you should finish in your 4 hour time frame.

They have many tournament software programs that can estimate finish times and adjust levels... I'm old school and actually still use a real hour glass on the table to keep time...

Of course again there are a thousand "more efficient" breakdowns and other people's preferences and going to tell you what you do or don't need. Give em a shot! If it seems like it would be more fun and you have the chips to cover it I recommend you give this structure a chance... it's a ton of fun and lots of chips for everybody!

 

[Ferello]

For single table tournies with novice players I prefer 15k starting stacks with lots of chips.... years and years of people on here talking about efficiency... blah blah... more chips is more fun especially in a single table setting. If you have the chips to cover it... I actually recommend 16/16/8/9 starting stacks. 100% the standard 12/12 works and absolutely recommend in a multi table game... but single table with noobs go ahead and give em lots of chips to enjoy!

Bored at work and been a while since I broke one of these down so let's go!

8 players 15k starting stacks
16 x 25 = 400 x 8 = 128 (T25)
16 x 100 = 1600 x 8 = 128 (T100)
8 x 500 = 4000 x 8 = 64 (T500)
9 X 1000 = 9000 x 8 = 72 (T1000)

Rebuys 1 - 4
5 x 100 = 500 × 4 = 20
3 x 500 = 1500 x 4 = 12
3 x 1000 = 3000 x 4 = 12
2 x 5000 = 10k x 4 = 8

Rebuys 5 - 8
5 x 1000 = 5000 x 4 = 20
2 x 5000 = 10k x 4 = 8

Rebuys 9 - 12
3 x 5000 = 15k × 4 = 12

So total chips ready to go before the clock starts...
(T25) - 128, (T100) - 148, (T500) - 76, (T1000) - 104, (T5000) - 28

Chip up #1 remove t25s (128×25) = 3,200 (round up an extra chip of the next denom per player for odd chips, next denom is t100 so add 800 for 8 players) /4000RU so we add (10) T100 (6) T500

Chip up #2 remove T100s (158 × 100) =15,800/20,000RU so we add (10) T500 (15) T1000

Chip up #3 remove T500s (92 x 500) = 46,000/54,000RU so we add (14) T1000 (8) T5000

With this small of a group you typically do not need to Chip up again.

So total chips needed
T25 = 128
T100 = 158
T500 = 92
T1000 = 133
T5000 = 36
547 chips

I run 20 minute levels of
25/50
50/100
75/150
125/250
10 minute break/ chip up #1
200/400
300/600
500/1000
800/1600
1200/2400
10 minute break chip up #2 and final rebuy
1500/3000
2000/4000
2500/5000
3500/7000
10 minute break chip up #3
5000/10k
8000/16k
12k/24k
Should be finished before there depending in # of rebuys.

Drop that down to 15 minute levels and you should finish in your 4 hour time frame.

They have many tournament software programs that can estimate finish times and adjust levels... I'm old school and actually still use a real hour glass on the table to keep time...

Of course again there are a thousand "more efficient" breakdowns and other people's preferences and going to tell you what you do or don't need. Give em a shot! If it seems like it would be more fun and you have the chips to cover it I recommend you give this structure a chance... it's a ton of fun and lots of chips for everybody!

This is great, thankyou for putting in the time to write this up.

 

[JesusMessiah777]

Here’s the best coloring up video I have seen, and it’s also done by a PCF member:

Very Helpful!! Thank you!