Tourney Player Rotations (1 Viewer)

[Lapalk]

Hey everyone,
I'm hosting my 1st tournament and have a question regarding player rotations during the tournament.

I'm estimated to have roughly 30+ players. Let's assume 32 players (4 tables - 8 players each).
I have a great method initial seating assignments as well as setting the Final Table.
What I'm having difficulty with is moving players during the tournament when players bust out.
I'm aware that having a table with (1) less player than the others is still balanced. And having a table with (2) less players than another table creates an unbalanced room.

Question: I know there isn't a perfect method and have heard a few, but not happy with either. What are your suggestions to make player movement as fair as possible?

 

[Natskule]

Hey everyone,
I'm hosting my 1st tournament and have a question regarding player rotations during the tournament.

I'm estimated to have roughly 30+ players. Let's assume 32 players (4 tables - 8 players each).
I have a great method initial seating assignments as well as setting the Final Table.
What I'm having difficulty with is moving players during the tournament when players bust out.
I'm aware that having a table with (1) less player than the others is still balanced. And having a table with (2) less players than another table creates an unbalanced room.

Question: I know there isn't a perfect method and have heard a few, but not happy with either. What are your suggestions to make player movement as fair as possible?

I generally move players with respect to their position from the dealer. If I'm filling a seat 2 behind the dealer then pull a player 2 behind the dealer, etc.

Don't be in a hurry to do it, a couple more hands it often evens out again quickly. I've seen some TDs move people quickly and then the next hand the table breaks any way, or folks bust out and the TD has to move people back. It will be easily apparent if the tables are truly uneven. I break tables as soon as possible, but move people pretty slowly.

 

[TheRealStephen12]

I’ve heard move the person next in the BB to the next seat at the new table to receive the BB. I’ve never hosted, but from tournaments I’ve played it seems fair.

 

[BGinGA]

I follow these guidelines:

• Assign a permanent table number to each table (1-4). Table 1 is the final table. Table 4 will be the first table broken, followed eventually by T3 and T2. Publicly post when, how, and in what order tables will be broken.
• Randomly assign players to tables and seats. Players cannot change seats or tables unless directed, and cannot move from their assigned seat location (or move their assigned chair's location).
• When moving a player to balance tables, move a player from the heaviest table to the lightest table. Always select the player in 'worst' current position, aka the player destined to be the next big blind if they were not moved.
• If two (or more) tables are equally heavy, always select a player from the higher table number.
• If two tables are equally light (can happen with simultaneous multiple player eliminations), always fill the table with the lower table number first.
• Arriving players are seated in 'worst' available seating position, aka the seat which will soonest become the next big blind. If the 'next big blind' position seat is open, that's where they go.

All random, all orderly and transparent, and all equally fair to everyone.

Correct tournament protocol is to randomly redraw all tables and all seats when breaking down to three tables, two tables, and to the final table. To not follow this practice can result in potentially unfair situations to arise. Random re-seating is equally fair/unfair for all.

When breaking higher table numbers (#5 and up), the moving players should be randomly drawn to fill open seats at the other tables, using a repeatable process that has been previously established. A random draw of all open table/seat numbers (using table/seat markers or corresponding playing cards) is typical, and should include parameters that ensure the remaining tables are balanced after the reassignment. Some tournament software can also perform this task.