Two tables home tournament question

Often at our home games we'll find ourself with more than 10 players but less than 20. Which means that we have to divide the numbers of players evenly amoung two tables. With 13 players we'll have a table of 6 and a table of 7. My question is at what point do we combine tables. I say that the final table should not have more players then the starting tables. For exp. when we have 13 tables we'll combine tables when there's 9 players left. But I think we should combine when there's 7 or 6 players left. Thoughts?

[jzpiano14]

I always combine at 9 or 10

[smoore]

Tables should be combined at "optimum table size"... in this case it sounds like the TD likes 9. It could go either way. I like 8 or 9 also

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I always combine at 9 or 10

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[Richard Tanner]

My opinion differs a little from the other replys herein. My take is similar to yours and I've never had a problem, I say if you start shorthanded, play shorthand. I make a minor consession though, we usually start with 14 and combine at 8.

Cody

[Lottery Larry]

Combine them at 10 to reduce the effects of the blinds. Also, you'll need the other table for a cash game for the tourney bust-outs.