Where can I find what I need to start my own home poker tournament?

Question

Several of my friends have shown interest to having a poker game. I could easily find enough people for a 2 table tournament.
I am looking for the layout and any printout material.

I have heard a blind timer is handy as well.

thanks!

Answer 1

This blog below is full of what you will need to start your home poker tourament.

I have used the suggestions on 3 tournaments now. Each one has gotten better and better. I have to admit the free blind timer really makes the game look good.

I just checked out the blog again and noticed they have added a copy of poker rules.

Answer 2

There are many different forms of poker tournament events to choose from. Whether you're an experienced poker professional, casual online poker tournament player, or just getting started, there's one poker tournament book that you really must read. Learn the Secrets of Winning Texas Holdem Tournaments. Playing in Texas Holdem poker tournament and satellite events is a great way to gain valuable experience and play against some awesome players.

Answer 3

The person who suggested Homepokertourney.com is right on - it is one of the best all encompassing resources. I really like Dr. Neau's Tournament manager - it can handle your blind schedule/timer, it will even tell you when to move players between tables in a multi-table tourney. If you put in your chip set and assign values & quantity for each color, it will calcualte how many chips of each color each player starts with. The software is free if you want limited functionality and is fairly inexpensive to register if you need the advanced features (note: I have no vested interest in this software, try it and you won't be disappointed). It also runs on just about any platform (Mac, Windows, Linux). I run Dr. Neau on a notebook and connect the SVideo out to a TV mounted on the wall, that way everyone can see the blinds and how much time is left in the current level.

As for tables, you don't have to have one but they do enhance the poker experience. If you get one with cupholders be sure to protect the surface with scotch guard - you will have spills every now & then.

You can also build a table, check out Scott Keen's poker forum, there are all kinds of resources and howtos, many posted by professional table builders. For a simple table with no rails you can buy a sheet of plywood and folding table legs from Lowe's/Home Depot, 1/4" foam and Velveteen from JoAnn's and
2 or 3 hours of labor at the most.

Also, download "Robert's Rules of Poker" from the homepokertourney site - print them out and establish them as the official rules. If you hold enough tournamnets you will eventually have disputes, so it's a good idea to establish the rules.

Answer 4

Do you want a long, detailed answer?

Okay, here ya go :)

You didn't specify what kind of poker, so I guess you mean No Limit Hold'em, which is also called No Limit TEXAS Hold'em, though most pros just call it No Limit Hold'em.

If you're not too familiar with poker just yet, then you probably want a FREEZEOUT tournament. A tournament is where the BLINDS have to go up every once in a while. A FREEZEOUT means that noone is allowed to REBUY, rebuy meaning, pay extra money so that they can have more chips at the start/middle of the tournament.

In other words, If you set up a NO LIMIT HOLD'EM FREEZEOUT TOURNAMENT, everyone participating in the game you are hosting will bring one SPECIFIC amount of money, say, about $20, and noone is allowed to BUY IN for more than that amount, nor can anyone buy in for less (for instance, if you choose $20 for the stakes, noone can pay $40 and be allowed to have twice as many chips, and noone can pay only $10 and sit at the tournament table with only half as many chips as everyone else). In other words, EVERYONE MUST START OUT ON EQUAL TERMS and....YOU MUST CONTINUE PLAYING UNTIL JUST ONE PERSON HAS ALL THE CHIPS. Any poker player will tell you the same, I stake my reputation on that.

I chose a no-limit hold'em freezeout FORMAT as an example because I assume that is the game you're interested in since it is currently the most popular (it's the game you see pros playing on espn, fsn, travel channel, poker after dark, etc.

As far as equipment needed: Chips, enough table space to accomodate everyone comfortably, and yes, a timer.

Chips: You don't HAVE TO have quality chips, but if money is no object, get some quality 11.5g CLAY chips. Enough for say, twenty players would be about a 250-piece set. If quality is no issue, any markers/chips that come in 3 different colors would work

Table: You can get those foldups that are felt covered for about 70$ apiece, but theres really no need as long as everyone is comfortable.

Timer: It doesn't HAVE TO be a BLIND timer, just a Kitchen timer with a beeper alarm will work, or a timer that you have on your cell phone.

PS: If money is no object at ALL, here's what a professional poker player would have: HIGH QUALITY chips, At least 2 PROFESSIONAL QUALITY poker tables (The "racetrack" style tables you see them sitting at on TV when they are in the casino. In most states in the US you could have such a table delivered and set up, albeit at GREAT COST to you, or you could buy one and set it up yourself in your home. Keep in mind that 2 such tables would take up as much room as having about 3 pool tables in your house, lol) And a professional DEALER (a person who is PAID to shuffle and deal the cards fairly, enforce the rules of the game, collect bets from the players, and push the pot to the player who wins it on each hand)

Good Luck and may the flop be with you!

Answer 5

Just type Poker supplies in any search engine.
Also do Poker tournament rules.

Answer 6

Any poker website these days have the info. You can buy the materials from e-bay cheeper than at the store. It would probably be better quality too.

Answer 7

Why do you need a layout? go to Sams club and buy two or three poker tables and you're ******* set.

Answer 8

The best site that I've found so far

http://www.homepokertourney.com/

and check out ebay to buy your chips! Go for 13.5 or 14g clay ones.