Tournament Structure & Type

For those who love competition, there is nothing like a poker tournament. Everyone starts with an equal chance to win and all players continue to play until one of them has amassed all the chips. There are two kinds of tournaments: multi tables tournaments (MTT) and single table tournaments (STT) also called Sit'nGo (SNG).

The Buy-in

The Buy-in is the amount that every player must pay for entering a tournament. Each player starts with an equal amount of chips and the tournament comes to an end when there is only one player left in the game- the one amassing all the chips.

Blinds & Levels

Unlike the cash game tables, where tables have a fix stake, in a tournament, the stakes gradually increase to ensure that players begin to feel pressure to play more hands so that an outcome to the game can be reached. The tournament begins with a certain level of the blinds, for instance 10/20. After a predetermined period of time has passed, the blinds will increase to the next level, in this case 20/40. This continues through the tournament making it common to see blinds of 1000/2000 and above depending on the size of the event.

The predetermined time between these blind increases depends on the structure of the tournament. In a Turbo game this time will be around 5 minutes, in a regular game it will usually be 10 minutes but some games do have a slower structure with 12 or 15 minutes blinds.To get full details of the tournament blind limits and level times click on the ‘More Info’ link when in the tournament lobby.

The Prize Pool

All buy-ins paid by the participants when entering the tournament go to the prize pool. It is then divided into the payout structure. The number of the players who receive a percentage of the prize pool varys according to the number of players participating in the tournament. The places are determined as players are eliminated e.g. the player in the 23rd position is the one eliminated when there were only 23 players left. The tournament ends when all players except one are eliminated. This last player, having all the chips, is the tournament winner and receiver of the greatest percentage from the prize pool.

Buy-in Fee

The Buy-in fee is kept by the casino for organizing the tournament. It is mandatory for all players and it usually has a max value of 10% of the buy-in. For example, at a €5 tournament, the buy-in fee is usually €0.50. When registering, the buy-in is first written and then the buy-in fee with a plus sign between them, example: €5+€0.50.
Note: Some tournaments allow for rebuys and add-ons, no ‘’buy-in fee’’ is taken for these.

MTT

Multi table tournaments are programmed in advance and have a fixed starting time that you see in the lobby and tournament details. To participate in a tournament you must register before the closing time. There are various types of tournaments: freezout, rebuys, turbos and knockout.

SitNGo

The SitNGos are mini-tournaments with a predetermined number of players, usually at a single table. The SitNGos don’t start at a precise hour, only when the required number of players have joined the game. At the end of the game the prize pool is distributed just like in the tournaments. The game structure is the same, changing the level of mandatory bets at a predetermined period of time. Usually balancing of the tables is not necessary as the sng is most of the times organized for only one table. The buy-in fee is similar to the buy-in in tournaments.

Satellites

Satellites tournaments are also appreciated among the poker community. Fees are not high and if you manage to end among the top players, you will be qualified for a bigger tournament with a much more important prize pool.

Freezout

At first, players are randomly directed to the tables. According to the type of tournament there may be 6 at a table (6-Max), 8 or 10 players. Each player starts with an equal amount of chips. When they have lost all the chips the player is eliminated. As they are eliminated, a balancing of the tables is kept. So, if there are 10 players at a table and 8 players at another table, one player will be moved from the first table to the second. When possible all the empty seats are taken by players from other tables, reducing in this way the number of tables. Finally there will be only one table left called the final table.

Rebuys/Add-on

In this type of tournament, players are allowed to re-enter the game or top up their stack by a new buy-in (rebuy) after losing all their chips or having less than the starting chips. Usually the number of rebuys is not limited. After, usually, the first 60 minutes (in a regular game) or 30 minutes (in a Turbo) rebuys are not allowed. After this time players have the option to add-on. It’s similar to a rebuy, only it is made during the break by any player, irrespective of the number of chips he has. The other aspects of the tournament are the same as those of a freezout. All the buy-ins resulted from rebuys and add-ons is added to the prize pool. There is no fee levied for rebuys and add-ons.

Turbo

In turbo games players will have less time to act and make decisions and the tournament blind levels will also increase quicker. These levels usually increase every 5 minutes but more information on this can be found in the tournament lobby. Turbos are designed to be a quicker game and play very differently form a regular tournament.

Knockout

A knockout tournament has the same rules and structure as a regular tournament (freezout or rebuys) the only difference is that every player has a bounty on his head. The buy-in is split in two parts, the first goes to the tourney’s prize pool and the second represents the bounty for each player.

When a player is eliminated, his knockout bounty is awarded to the player who knocked him out. In case more than one player wins the pot, the bounty is split among them. In the case of a rebuys tournament, the bounty is paid only when the players have run out of chips and does not re-enter the game. The cost of the rebuy/add-on does not include the knockout bounty. The winner of the tournament gets his knockout bounty back.

High Stack

In high stack games players will start with a lot more chips than normal. This creates a slightly slower games where it is expected skill will be a higher factor in determining the winner.

6-Max

In this form of poker, tables have a maximum of six players on them at any time compared to the usual 10.

Heads Up

In heads up games only two players will be on each table and they will play until one player has won all the chips from the other.