Our 1st "renting a hall" size tournament. Input greatly appreciated

[ky70]

Hello Ichabod,
In my experience, the game will come to an end when the big blind is apprx. 6% - 8% of total chips in play. Assuming 50 players and $20,450 in play (and also assuming you add those 2 levels to your blinds), your tourney would still be going on past level 16 (500/1000) which is 5 hours and 20 minutes. At level 16 (500/1000) the big blind will only be 4.89% of total chips in play (assuming 50 players) and it would appear to me that you may make it to level 17.

So if your target is apprx. 6 hours, your setup looks fine to me. Enjoy the game!!

[kona]

I wouldn’t waste my time trying to be cute with you chip and blinds. The KISS principal applies here keep it simple stupid (a point not a comment). You should go back to the home poker tourney site and read it carefully. There is a lot to be said for organization and experience. Find out how many chips of each color you have and what you will need following their guidelines. As long as your chips have no printed denomination on them you can assign what ever you need even if it is non-standard colors. Just make the best use of your available chips.

Instead of color/wooden things for table choice make a 5” X 7” or so sheet of paper with table number and seat assignments at the top. On one side of the front put the blinds for all to see and the other side put you chip colors and values. This is of particular value when using non-standard (casino) chip colors. I have been hired as a tournament director for a 100-person tournament. They are not using my tables or chips but are providing their own. They have 10 sets of 500 dice chips with the same set colors. I have had to use some non-standard chip values but have come to a solution that will work effectively.

Use two different colored decks of cards per table. Have the last dealer shuffle the second deck for the next dealer. This really helps the game move without added delays.

I start all the tournaments will some announcements. Players are told the time frame for the raising of blinds. They are asked that when they are the dealer (if players are dealing) to please bring the chips to the center of the table when each round of betting is complete. The players are asked to state their intentions raise, call, check and then follow by the action. Of course I ask them to please don’t splash the pot. In addition I ask them to please cap any cards in play for their protection. The point is you have many people and its best to start with some expectations as some people just don’t know any better.

Definitely, read up on your local poker laws or even make some calls to your city attorney.

Here in California you must distribute ALL money collected back to the players who have won. You are not allowed to take any of the entry fees for any other use. Furthermore, you can not charge any additional fees except that which will be fully returned to the players.

[Bulldog]

Nice response, top to bottom.

To the OP, how many of each chip color do you have?