My avatar is from winning a second chance donkament, so, analogously to shulenberger, I consider this format to be the true test of poker skill. It was 10K chips plus a rebuy chip which you can use to extend your stack if you make it to the big break without busting out. Seriously, I prefer it as a test of skill to having a 20K stack for a donkament because it is harder for them to suck out on you twice in row, but not sure it is good for a higher level tournament.

Serious:
I would introduce some bracelets for the forms that are and have been popular in the home game format - they would get enough entrants from pros bracelet hunting as well as the home game players. So world 5-card stud championship, world 5-card draw high championship

Semi-serious:
Strip poker championship (each item of clothing is for a rebuy).

the 1k saloon shootout. a pair of pistols beats everything

They could name it the MikePSU tournament.

I actually think something like this (or another table game) would get A LOT of extra entrants (and most of them would probably be recreational players).

This thread reminds me of that Micros comic - such a classic

Live zoom mtt

could be called "The Chino"

THREESOME TOURNEY me and Maria Ho and when we win we get the hot cocktail lady

No they shouldn't be themed. It's the WSOP not a WWE ppv.

there has been a misconception that i consider Ironman the "truest test of poker skill." I'm just saying that it's an event that is the "truest test of endurance, deep structure poker skill."

Ah ****, that sounds even more impressive.

"It looks like ivey is going for a bet.. Wait... What's this? IT'S THE ROCK! "IT'S THE ROCK! CHECK RAISE! CHECK RAISE! IVEY JUST GOT CHECK RAISED!!! DEAR GOD NO, HE'S GOTTA FAMILY!" -J.R.

I've always wondered if there would any interest in a cash game tourney. i.e. if it was a 1K buy in you get $1,000 in chips. Level 1 $1/2 with $1 ante. level 2 $2/5 with $5ante and after every 2 levels of play there is a break where you decide to cash out or move on. The antes are high to prevent players for just doubling up and sitting out. Would be lots of spots to steal blinds and antes near breaks. Level 3 would be 5/10 with $5 ante and level 4 10/20 with $10 ante. If players kept playing it would turn into a big dollar cash game near the end.

$1k heads up with 2/3 start days
$500 final table only paid (maybe even $215) bracelet event
$1k event but with 2.5-5% field paid with a $10k min cash

Tag Team Iron Man - no breaks, but players can tag in/out as they please, obviously teamwork and timing would be key

Survivor Series - 4 man team 60% of buy in to normal prize pool, 40% to Team Prize Pool
Team scores points for the place they finish, ie 100 players, first is worth 100 points, 2nd 99 etc etc, Team with most points wins (normal payout structure). Adds a team element to a normal tournament and very simple to run, plus adds a fun dynamic near the late stages for players to score points.

turbo with chess clocks
soon as you make a move on the felt you press your clock and it immediately starts the next players clock

you run out of clock you're felted

It's better to have a few special events than more, IMO. A lot of recreational players looked at the schedule and decided to make those 2-3 events were their shot this summer. If you add more special events, they are no longer special. That being said, here is my suggestion.


Mystery Bounty

$1500 event, of which $200 goes towards the bounty pool. Each registrant is assigned a button/plaque/whatever based on their registration # to keep with their stack as a mystery bounty. This item has a barcode/QR type code on it that contains the bounty attached to that player. Some of these may be blanks, $200, $1000, free $1500 seat, free Main Event seat, etc. Players do not know their own bounty or anyone elses until they bust the opponent and collect the bounty. Bust a player with a free $1500 or ME seat and you are freerolling at that point.

Why would recreational players be attracted to this? Have you ever made a deep run in a tournament, bust a few players, but fall short of the money? This tournament is almost like the lottery--it gives you a chance to win a $10k ME seat or nearly get a min cash (the $1000+ prizes) even if you don't make the top 10%.

There is an excellent Japanese anime series about high-stakes mah jhong... gives me a lot of sinister ideas for tournaments

Low stakes cash theme tournament:

5000 chip stack, Blinds are 25-50 and never increase. 5 percent of the tournament chips are raked from each pot. Winner is the last person remaining with chips.