Jump to:
Updates for 2026
Points and Rankings
We’ve overhauled the point system this year. You can learn about the new point system here.
Player Eliminations
If a player is eliminated, please pause play at your table and notify the Tournament Director so placements (and points) stay accurate.
Rebuys
Rebuys increase the size of the pot, but do not increase the number of players paid at the end of the night.
Buy-ins and Payouts
Please bring cash.
Buy-in is $12 per tournament. Ten dollars will go to the prize pool of the current tournament, and two dollars will go into the Tournament of Champions prize pool.
Each player will receive $10,000 in chips.
Late entries are allowed up until the end of the first break. That typically lands around 7:30 pm, but can be as early as 7:15 pm. Players who register through late entry will receive a full starting stack, just like players who re-enter after being eliminated.
Payouts will be awarded according to the table below.
*Updated 1/12/25
| entries | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| up to 4 | 100% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 5 – 7 | 60% | 40% | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 8 – 11 | 50% | 30% | 20% | – | – | – | – | – |
| 12 – 16 | 40% | 30% | 20% | 10% | – | – | – | – |
| 17 – 20 | 36% | 24% | 18% | 12% | 8% | – | – | – |
| 21 – 27 | 32% | 24% | 18% | 12% | 8% | 6% | – | – |
| 28 – 30 | 30% | 22% | 17% | 12% | 8% | 6% | 5% | – |
| 31 – 36 | 28% | 20% | 15% | 12% | 9% | 7% | 5% | 4% |
Rebuys and Late Entry
Rebuys and Late Entries are allowed through the end of Level 4. Each rebuy is $12. Ten dollars will go to the prize pool of the current tournament, and two dollars will go into the Tournament of Champions prize pool.
Players must be eliminated to purchase a rebuy, with one caveat. If at the break your chip count is ≤20% of the starting chip stack, you may surrender your remaining chips and rebuy.
Rebuys increase the size of the pot, but do not increase the number of players paid at the end of the night.
Rebuys affect your Power Ranking. Find out how.
Blind Structure
Blinds will be 15 minutes each and will increase each round according to the table below. Antes are paid by the player in the big blind position and go directly into the pot.
| level | small blind | big blind | bb ante |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 50 | |
| 2 | 50 | 100 | |
| 3 | 75 | 150 | |
| 4 | 100 | 200 | |
| 20 Min. Break | |||
| 5 | 100 | 200 | 200 |
| 6 | 125 | 250 | 250 |
| 7 | 150 | 300 | 300 |
| 8 | 200 | 400 | 400 |
| 10 Min. Break | Color Up 25s | ||
| 9 | 300 | 600 | 600 |
| 10 | 400 | 800 | 800 |
| 11 | 500 | 1000 | 1000 |
| 12 | 7,00 | 1,400 | 1,400 |
| 10 Min. Break | Color Up 100s | ||
| 13 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 14 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| 15 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| 16 | 3,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| 10 Min. Break | Color Up 500s | ||
| 17 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| 18 | 6,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 |
| 19 | 8,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 |
| 20 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
If a player is short-stacked and unable to pay both the big blind and the ante, they pay the big blind first.
Example 1, All-In from Big Blind: If a player is on the big blind with $400 in chips and the big blind and ante are $300 each, the player pays the $300 big blind and the remaining $100 is paid as their ante. The main pot for which the All-In player is eligible will consist of $300 from any other player in the hand and the $100 ante. The remainder of the action will be placed in a side pot that other players are eligible to win.
Example 2, All-In from any other position: If the big blind and ante are $300 each, and a player who is not in the big blind pushes All-In for $200, they are eligible to win the ante. Other players will need to call the full big blind (or raise) to stay in the hand. The main pot for which the All-In player is eligible will consist of the ante and $200 from any other player in the hand. The remainder of the action will be placed in a side pot that other players are eligible to win.
House Rules and Etiquette
Shuffling
We’ll have two decks at each table. The player on the left of the dealer will shuffle the second deck, in preparation for the next hand. If you’re not comfortable shuffling, someone at the table will be happy to help. When the hand is complete, the deck will be passed to the new dealer.
Dealing
Before dealing, the dealer will pass the deck to the player on their right to cut using the cut card. The dealer will burn one card before the flop, turn, and river.
Exposed Cards During Deal
If a card is exposed during the deal, the card remains face up and the dealer continues dealing to the next person, completing the deal as normal. The dealer then gives the player whose card was exposed the top card off the deck. The exposed card remains face up for the entire table to see, and then becomes the burn card for the flop.
If two cards are exposed during the deal, the hand is automatically considered a mis-deal. All cards are returned to the deck, shuffled, and re-dealt.
If a card leaves the table during the deal, the card is treated as if it were exposed. The card is shown to the rest of the entire table and dealing resumes, following the same procedure as an exposed card.
Big Blind Pays Blind First
If the Big Blind does not have enough chips to pay both the blind and ante, they will pay the blind first and then as much of the ante as they can afford.
The Big Blind is then eligible to win the portion of the big blind they paid times the number of players who called, plus any portion of the ante they paid.
“Heads Up” Button and Blinds
When the tournament is down to two players, the player who paid the big blind most recently becomes the small blind, and the other player becomes the big blind. The player on the small blind receives the dealer button and deals, starting with the big blind first.
Pre-flop action begins with the small blind player (dealer) first. Action on all following streets begins with the big blind player.
Weird, right? Here’s why it works.
Straddling
No straddles will be permitted during tournaments. If we strike up a cash game on the side or after the tournament, knock yourself out.
Betting
Please avoid splashing the pot with your bet. Place your bet in front of you, and once betting for the round is complete, the dealer will pull the chips into the center. This helps avoid any confusion with chip counts.
Single Chip Bets
If you place a bet with a single chip, without saying “raise,” the bet is considered a call.
Protect Your Cards
Please protect your cards. If they end up in the muck (even unintentionally), your hand is folded.
Distractions
Players are welcome to have and use phones (watches, etc) at the table; however, we kindly ask that you self-regulate your usage to ensure smooth gameplay. Please avoid repeatedly delaying the game due to phone use. If you need to make a call or handle an urgent text conversation, we encourage you to step away from the table.
If your phone use causes frequent reminders about your turn, you may be issued a time penalty. This means you’ll be asked to step away from the table for a specified period. During a time penalty, your stack will continue to post blinds as usual.
Post-Tournament Cash Game
After a handful of players are eliminated from the main game, we often strike up a cash game on the side. The blinds are typically $0.05/$0.10. If you’re not familiar with the differences between cash games and tournaments, you can get more info here: https://www.pokerology.com/lessons/cash-games-vs-tournaments/