Tourney POLL: PCF hosts. Largest tournament size (1 Viewer)

[JustinInMN]

Wanted to take the pulse of all the PCF hosts, what is the largest tournament (in terms of tables) you have ever hosted?

I have done two tables on several occasions, I could squeeze 3 tables in my space if needed, but haven't tried that yet. I am wondering how many have directed tournaments larger than that, or how many are around my level of attendance.

If you have done more than 3 tables, do you still do everything on your own or what sort of help do you get?

 

[DaneWoj]

We host our once a month games at an archery club. We regularly have seven tables. Our kickoff event had 98 players in September. We average about 65 to 75

 

[JustinInMN]

We host our once a month games at an archery club. We regularly have seven tables. Our kickoff event had 98 players in September. We average about 65 to 75

Yikes, you must have help at this level? What tasks do you delegate?

 

[doublebooyah85]

@CraigT78 @Jers28 @MC_CPA

When it’s 4 tables or more I always hire a TD to run it

3 or less is manageable

 

[CraigT78]

7 or 8 tables for my charity tournament, 7 tables for my meetup but I have @Jonesey07

 

[DaneWoj]

Yikes, you must have help at this level? What tasks do you delegate?

Have a team of 7 between set up and takedown. Then a TD then other odd jobs along the night. 1 person keeps track of funds.

We’ve ran with 3 of us before but that was stressful.

 

[tabletalker7]

62 players spread over 7 tables. TD on a laptop is a must have. Connect it to multiple TVs and use audio events to communicate end of round and new blind levels. The herd will hear it and react accordingly.

Seating cards are a must have and easy to make yourself.

Put one at each seat and hand them the other when they buy in. Trying to get the herd to find where they belong in the beginning is impossible otherwise.

The buyin station requires 3 people. First person takes money (trusted friend). Second person adds them to TD and gives them their seating card (me). Third person gives them their starting stack (any volunteer) that I already premade and have in pill bottles, so they just hand each person one bottle. Place an empty cardboard box at each table and the herd will toss the seating cards and empty pill bottles in the cardboard boxes. The tournament director (me) isn't going to be able to play, but TD on the laptop will handle table breakdowns for you if you set it up properly.

 

[detroitdad]

Three tables, 22 players. I will probably never do that again.

 

[BPTDirector]

When I started 17 years ago I had 32 to 40 players on a regular basis. 5 tables, it was a handful to manage and I fed the whole bunch every month.

 

[Felt_Lizard]

Three tables, 22 players. I will probably never do that again.

I am hoping to convince ~you~ otherwise....

 

[cpac54]

I’ve hosted 2 tables at my home and acted as TD for a 3 player tournament while also playing (not ideal). Even with just 2 tables, it’s a lot of work to both play and host.

 

[detroitdad]

I don't mean that I will never host a Meetup again. I probably will never host a tournament again. As it looks, I won't be hosting a Meetup in 2026

 

[pltrgyst]

I ran eight tables at once all by myself.

Of course, it was a heads-up tournament...

 

[Gunnar]

24 tables, three days, 213 players around 70 re entry

Pre registration is a must, I had a team with me and I was head TD

 

[DrStrange]

Five tables, 45 players. I was never so busy, even though I didn't try to play. So much work before the event and afterwards. And I am doing it without compensation. It was fun, but . . . . . . .

I came to believe the amount of work / trouble grows faster than the head count. Two tables were a walk in the park. Five tables? No, not doing that again. -=- DrStrange

 

[Gunnar]

I can play in a 3 table tournament and floor it as long as it is not a rebuy tournament.

2 tables is a walk in the park.

There is something about that 4th table where peak points get almost unmanageable. 5th table you need an extra floor.

 

[MC_CPA]

How many ppl at a table? Like a bunch of 6max may be less than three 10max

 

[JustinInMN]

How many ppl at a table? Like a bunch of 6max may be less than three 10max

I my head I was thinking 8-10 per table when I posed the question.

But I get the wording is vague and open to interpretation.

I ran eight tables at once all by myself.

Of course, it was a heads-up tournament...

 

[Nine_high]

I routinely do 2 tables while playing without dedicated help. I am doing bounties and rebuys and handle everything. I sometimes forget to reload the hot dog roller before the break so they are ready during break, or switch the TV to whatever game people are wanting , and occasionally extend the break so I can go tuck the kids into bed before I color everyone up. But game wise everything is fine.

I feel like 3 would not be that much harder but 4 I would either have dedicated help or I would not play. Thankfully I don't have space for that many in my basement

 

[Wils]

Play once a month in a city, never got more than 8. Constant struggle to bring in new players as others leave.

 

[bergs]

5 tables on 2 floors with 42 players in a 1200 sq foot condo we were actively trying to sell. That was stupid.

5 tables in a basement with 38 players. That was fun. And unbelievably loud. But fun.

Nowadays in AZ, 3 tables, 24 players. I could prolly do 4 tables and get to 28 players but that’s as big as I want to go with the floor plan I have.

 

[JustinInMN]

5 tables on 2 floors with 42 players in a 1200 sq foot condo we were actively trying to sell. That was stupid.

5 tables in a basement with 38 players. That was fun. And unbelievably loud. But fun.

Nowadays in AZ, 3 tables, 24 players. I could prolly do 4 tables and get to 28 players but that’s as big as I want to go with the floor plan I have.

I probably have about 900-1000 usable square feet of space in my basement. Two tables is comfortable, 3 would be a squeeze, but doable. I can't imagine trying 5 tables.

 

[upduck]

4-5 tables. 6-7 players per table max. Host it 1-2 times a year.

Have designed "admins" at each table that are close friends or regulars. They help deal and manage rebuys.

 

[Dodger]

Just had this conversation today with a player. Regularly run 3-table tourneys (24 player max). Player asked if I ever thought about adding a 4th table. I said, not happening. I would not be able to play with a 4-table tourney.

3 tables is already some work. Your individual play definitely suffers due to the distractions. Looking at asking 3-4 guys to assist in future games to help lighten the load.

When we host a cash game only, it’s like a whole new world. Easy street! Haha!

 

[bergs]

I probably have about 900-1000 usable square feet of space in my basement. Two tables is comfortable, 3 would be a squeeze, but doable. I can't imagine trying 5 tables.

Correction: I only had 4. Had to go back and look at 2019 pics.

 

[merkong]

Myself and the backer used to run the annual NLH tourney at our city’s yearly celebration. The event often ran past 12 tables and was a no-entry fee, chip for chip affair. In the last few years because it was for fun and the plethora of prizes to the winners, we started “halfing” the stacks and resetting the blinds at different points.

The backer was the tabling up guru while I had the mic and was the entertainment.

Good times.

At my previous space we’ve spread three table tournies and in my current space I’ve done two table games.

 

[krafticus]

I’ve been running 4 tables every month for the past several years. At one point. I used to get 5. For my normal monthly game, my largest was 47 players. Now, I cap my games at 36 (4 tables of 9)

Outside of the Covid year, I haven’t had less than 3 tables in 15 years or so

 

[MeridianFC]

Once a year charity event of six tables.

 

[Poker Zombie]

4 tables (6 per table) during COVID, where we played shorthanded to social-distance better.

6 tables at a meet-up, but that's almost cheating because nearly all (if not all) attendees are hosts and know how to color up.

3 tables on the regular. Having @Jonesey07 and of course @Mrs Poker Zombie as players helps considerably.

The toughest parts are color-ups and table balancing. If you have novice players you may need to also make rulings, which is unfair to your table when you have to pause while you replay a hand at another table before making a ruling.

 

[buzzmonkey]

8 Max holdem. 25 players over 4 tables.