How to Run a Home Poker Tournament: Blinds, Stacks and Structure
A home tournament is easier to organise when the starting stacks, blind schedule and house rules are agreed before the first hand. The example below uses the 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 denominations in our Monte Carlo chip sets.
Values in this guide are game points. They do not specify a cash buy-in, a required stake or a cash redemption value.
An example 10,000-point starting stack
| Denomination | Chips per player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 2 | 100 |
| 100 | 4 | 400 |
| 500 | 3 | 1,500 |
| 1,000 | 3 | 3,000 |
| 5,000 | 1 | 5,000 |
| Total | 13 chips | 10,000 points |
Multiply each row's chip quantity by your player count and compare it with the product's chip-distribution table. Then allow for any reserve stacks or exchanges. For example, 12 players using this stack require 24 × 50, 48 × 100, 36 × 500, 36 × 1000 and 12 × 5000 chips; these quantities fit within the listed 300-piece set.
A 12-level blind schedule
This example starts at 50 / 100 because the smallest supplied denomination is 50. It does not require 25-value chips.
| Level | Small blind | Big blind |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 | 100 |
| 2 | 100 | 200 |
| 3 | 150 | 300 |
| 4 | 200 | 400 |
| 5 | 300 | 600 |
| 6 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 7 | 800 | 1,600 |
| 8 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| 9 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| 10 | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| 11 | 3,000 | 6,000 |
| 12 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
Choose a level length that suits the evening. Twelve 15-minute levels total three hours before breaks; twelve 20-minute levels total four hours. These are schedule lengths, not guaranteed tournament finishing times.
Keep the game clear
Use a visible timer and move the dealer button consistently. Agree any extra-stack rules before play. When exchanging smaller chips for larger ones, preserve each player's total value and keep denominations that are still needed for later blinds. For example, the 800 / 1600 level still needs 100-value chips if the next available denomination is 500.
Check the table as well as the chips
Our poker tables seat up to 10 players each. A 12-player example describes chip capacity, not seating capacity at one table. Check your seating and room layout separately.
Compare chip sets and read the exact contents and distribution for the set you choose. Tables and chip sets are sold separately.