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

[tabletalker7]

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.

This is why on larger tournaments I don't play. Can't play and run a tournament once it gets big

 

[JustinInMN]

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

Awesome. Out of curiosity, what tasks to do you delagate out or do you do everything on your own?

I think that's really why I started this thread, I am thinking about trying 3-table events at some point and I am curious how much other hosts that do high volume tournaments do on their own.

 

[krafticus]

Awesome. Out of curiosity, what tasks to do you delagate out or do you do everything on your own?

I think that's really why I started this thread, I am thinking about trying 3-table events at some point and I am curious how much other hosts that do high volume tournaments do on their own.

I do everything myself. Sometimes I get help coloring up, but usually I get it all

 

[danopoker]

Max we ever had was 37 players. Started with 4 tables of 9, and someone got the seat when the first player busted out. That was a little chaotic but it wasn't the only time we had 4 tables. This was back around 2005 when tournaments were easy to fill.

 

[TheRealStephen12]

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

Do you work at a casino or something? This seems crazy to run, but a lot of fun to play in regardless.

 

[Gunnar]

Do you work at a casino or something? This seems crazy to run, but a lot of fun to play in regardless.

Not a casino, this was the Icelandic Championship. But I did work with a club that hosted tournaments so I used to TD a lot Mainly 3-4 tables tournaments

 

[LowerBama1714]

I don’t see an option in the poll for zero tables.

Must be a mistake.

 

[krafticus]

One day, when I actually have downtime, I’ll post the processes and things I do to make the game flow with little issue. I’ve been doing these for 15+ years, and have most of it down to a science. I’ve run the PA meetup at @MegaTon44 game as well, and haven’t had an issue.

I still have a few things I’d like to improve on, but haven’t had the time to work on them yet.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

One day, when I actually have downtime, I’ll post the processes and things I do to make the game flow with little issue. I’ve been doing these for 15+ years, and have most of it down to a science. I’ve run the PA meetup at @MegaTon44 game as well, and haven’t had an issue.

I still have a few things I’d like to improve on, but haven’t had the time to work on them yet.

I would pay for this type of expertise! Even if its just a card setup or a tip, let us know, we'd appreciate the time.

 

[MikesDad]

Working on rebuilding my player base since I moved and my daughter no longer lives in our\
basement.
I have 2 tables and get 12-14 players a couple of times a month
I have room for a 3rd table if I'm lucky enough to get more participation

SpeakEC game is always a fun time and @krafticus runs a well-oiled game

 

[Poker Zombie]

I would pay for this type of expertise! Even if its just a card setup or a tip, let us know, we'd appreciate the time.

A lot is pre-planning.

• Knowing mentally how many eliminations before breaking down a table. A pad and pencil help if there are more than 2-3 knockouts before the first table breaks.
• Poker software that handles tables can be useful. I haven't personally used it, but I have seen it in action, and it is nice.
• Our group is also 'helpful' by yelling "knockout" every time a player gets felted. It has become such a thing, that even when I'm the one eliminated, there is a chorus of "knockout" shouted.
• Rebuys preset in tubes or Ziplock bags saves time, as you dont need to count chips and helps you make sure the prize pool is updated correctly when the rebuy period ends (4 rebuy tubes gone = 4 rebuys should be added to the prize pool. My rebuy tubes are numbered so I don't even have to count.
• Having at least one player with solid familiarity with the rules at each table limits your need to adjudicate fairly common rulings. This isn't always possible due to fair table-balancing rulings (the rule expert should be moved if they are the one due to be moved), but you can get them in optimal seating locations to start.
• I have index cards printed with the blind structure and hand them out when players take their seats. The blind structure indicates when chips are colored up. This gets at least some players to assist with their color-ups.

 

[CraigT78]

Awesome. Out of curiosity, what tasks to do you delagate out or do you do everything on your own?

I think that's really why I started this thread, I am thinking about trying 3-table events at some point and I am curious how much other hosts that do high volume tournaments do on their own.

Nominate a table captain for each table. They handle rulings, but all the chips for color ups and ensure the tournament runs smoothly. They are the person to tell you when players are down and a balance is needed. Super helpful.

 

[Preditor]

I play often in a local lodge. They have multiple leagues and usually 40-50 players (5-7 tables). There is a one league in particular I basically TD (though with some help with setup).

I use Blind Valet for everything which makes it very easy to manage from my phone while also playing. I use it for seating, eliminations, balancing tables, literally everything. Can’t see another way I’d be able to play and run it without BV. But I make it work with that.

 

[Huskerchipper]

It's been a long time but I hosted a 10 table tournament at the height of poker (Post Moneymaker era) at a Ducks Unlimited State Convention. I used the biggest set i ever had, a 3600 chip set of NJ Skulls.

 

[Mesnik44]

My Christmas tournament will have 5 tables and 40 players. My largest event yet!
We have 4 mini CHOP tournaments then a main event.
I will run the entire tournament via Tournament Director Software.
I have 4 other people in an Assistant TD role helping with the decisions.
I will have pre registration so the lengthy tournament gets off to a great start and on time.
I have helpers with food, and helping with chip ups.

The most important thing about running a large tournament if you plan to play in it is to ... GET HELP!