Quote:
Originally Posted by gamble
Hey guys,
So I've been hosting a monthly tournament for almost 2 years (we just had the 21st tourney a couple weeks ago). We started with 2 tables, found a bar to let us host as long as we bought food/drink and expanded to 3 tables. Now I'm at 4 tables (9 handed so 36 players total) which is great.
Logistics:
Up to 36 players total
Top 5 Pay
Winner of last tourney has bounty on his/her head
Deepstack Turbo, 20k starting stack with blinds 25/50, but 15 minute levels.
Completion time: averages 5 hours so there is plenty of play. Has lasted 6 hours a few times.
Tournament is self-dealt and the table usually elects one dealer who is fast and can keep order. 2 decks are used and everyone takes turns shuffling/cutting (guy behind the button shuffles next deck).
I handle all color-ups at food breaks and am generally very quick/professional in organizing.
We run a side "ACES POT" awarding $$$ to the first player to get pocket black aces and pocket red aces.
Post-Tournament (as soon as we've lost a full table worth of players) cash game as well.
The following day I send out an email recap with a picture of the winner.
The problem is...The last 2 months attendance has been lagging. Last month was the first time I can remember in FOREVER that we had less than 30 players (came in at 27 after 7 people flaked last minute, many were actually going to be 1st timer fill-ins as many of the regs couldn't make it anyway).
I usually hold the tourney during the week in nice months, and on the weekends in colder months. Aside from the inevitable effect of losing regulars realizing they are at a disadvantage and not wanting to pony up the $$$ each month, lately I've been getting the feeling that people might be getting bored of the format.
Please keep in mind that this is not advertised to strangers, it's purely friends and their friends so its never really in the public eye. It was designed as a way to have a fun monthly tournament with none of the shady drama that so often goes hand in hand with underground "clubs." The goal has been to keep a nice clean environment with cool/chill people who vouch for any guests they want to bring. I've kept a tight list but now wondering if I should be a bit more loose. There is no real "rake" except that a small % of the buyins are used to rent the space. I also freeroll myself for the headache of organizing as I'm not taking a rake and not profiting from the game.
Any ideas on how I can liven up the scene and spark more interest short of handing out flyers to strangers? I want to make sure this thing keeps going strong.
Thanks
Hi there aces pot geat idea..hope the following gives u some ideas.
I've been doing something very similar to you for over 12 yeas now...
We did some of the following
1. win with the hand 7 c - 2 h...and win the weekly accumulative pot ..we put 20 euro each week....it can grow :-)
2. straight flush rolling pot...2 cards are needed....we tried royal flush , and I think this was won twice in 12 years
3. best full house of the night... have a chat with a local restaurant and create a food voucher ..you put half they put half the cash...we called it 'Bobs full house'.... the restaurant was called 'bobs'
4. as well as having the weekly tournament pay out, top 5 like you
We also did a league system. Points for where you finish on the night. then over 30 weeks ..you pay out accordingly. You need to take a rake on your poker nights to get this cash pot up. ... re-buys work well for the first 5 blind levels...using this cash to pay out percentage at the end of the night
5. At the end of our poker season of 30 weeks we do a champions trophy for all the winners of the previous tournaments paid by the club .. make the guys buy in aswell to up the total pot
6. and I nearly forgot....take a membership fee at the beginning of the season...this is great fo building your overall pot...and have certain restrictions on what non members can win on the night...
kindest regads...and good luck