How to Run a Home Poker Tournament

1. Decide the shape of the event

Confirm the number of seats, the start time, the latest acceptable finish time, whether re-entry is allowed, and how many places are paid. These decisions determine the blind pace and starting stack.

• 6 players: usually one table and a shorter 2- to 3-hour structure
• 8 to 10 players: one full table with 15- to 20-minute levels
• More than 10 players: plan table balancing and visible clocks before guests arrive

2. Build a playable blind structure

Start with blinds that are small relative to the starting stack. A starting stack of roughly 100 big blinds gives players room to play before the tournament becomes urgent.

Avoid large jumps. Moving from 100/200 to 200/400 is much harsher than adding an intermediate 150/300 level. A smoother structure feels fairer and makes the finish time easier to predict.

3. Prepare chips and table rules

Count complete starting stacks before players sit down. Publish the late-entry cutoff, re-entry rule, break timing, payout split, and who makes final rulings. This prevents most home-game arguments.

• Use at least three useful chip denominations at the start
• Keep higher-value chips off the table until they are needed
• Color up small chips during a scheduled break

4. Put the clock where everyone can see it

The tournament clock should show the current blinds, time remaining, next level, and break status. A shared display removes repeated questions and lets the host focus on the game.

WTGB can run the tournament on iPhone or iPad and display the clock on a TV with AirPlay when the room needs a larger screen.