FYI- This is the structure I suggested to all the casino partners for season 9 event though they ARE NOT FORCED to use. Let me know if you have any comments, criticisms, or would like to add and verbiage to the bottom of the page.
I have used 20,000 in starting chips at both Bay 101 and Commerce since my involvement with both properties and am willing to go to 30,000 because it seems like the standard number of starting chips. I also realize that many WPT stops have already made submissions or have even already had their event but I urged them to consider this simple but generous structure going forward.
My suggestion will be that buy-ins less than $10,000 at least use hour long levels at least on day one and two and that 90 minutes be used on 10K or higher. This structure would even work for the Championship with 2 hour long levels and 30K to start but I imagine they would want at least 50K/75K to start in which case my suggestion would be to start at 75-150/100-200 and 90 minute levels.
Examples of how I will be using the standard structure with different parameters are as follows:
Marrakesh 5,000E (3 days) will use 1 hour levels throughout the tournament
Commerce $10,000 (6 days) will play 5-90 minute levels each day and back to 60 at the final table.
Bay 101 $10,000 (4 Days) Days 1A/1B will be 1 hour, day 2-90 minutes, day 3-2 hours 6 handed and back to 60 minutes at the FT.
I initially created this as a guide for our international stops but I also feel that it gives each domestic partner a chance to use it and change the time levels but still letting the players know what to expect from a WPT tournament.
Again, comments welcome
WPT CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM
30,000 in Starting Chips
LEVEL ANTE BLINDS
1ST - 50 - 100
2ND - 75 - 150
3RD - 100 - 200
4TH 25 100 - 200
5TH 25 150 - 300
6TH 50 200 - 400
7TH 50 250 - 500
8TH 75 300 - 600
REMOVE 25 CHIPS
9TH 100 400 - 800
10TH 100 500 - 1,000
11TH 200 600 - 1,200
12TH 200 800 - 1,600
13TH 300 1,000 - 2,000
14TH 400 1,200 - 2,400
REMOVE 100 CHIPS
15TH 500 1,500 - 3,000
16TH 500 2,000 - 4,000
17TH 500 2,500 - 5,000
REMOVE 500 CHIPS
18TH 1,000 3,000 - 6,000
19TH 1,000 4,000 - 8,000
20TH 1,000 5,000 - 10,000
21ST 2,000 6,000 - 12,000
22ND 2,000 8,000 - 16,000
23RD 3,000 10,000 - 20,000
24TH 4,000 12,000 - 24,000
REMOVE 1,000 CHIPS
25TH 5,000 15,000 - 30,000
26TH 5,000 20,000 - 40,000
27TH 5,000 25,000 - 50,000
REMOVE 5,000 CHIPS
28TH 10,000 30,000 - 60,000
29TH 10,000 40,000 - 80,000
30TH 10,000 50,000 – 100,000
31ST 20,000 60,000 – 120,000
REMOVE 10,000 CHIPS
32ND 25,000 75,000 – 150,000
33RD 25,000 100,000 – 200,000
34TH 25,000 125,000 – 250,000
35TH 50,000 150,000 – 300,000
36TH 50,000 200,000 – 400,000
37TH 50,000 250,000 – 500,000
38TH 75,000 300,000 – 600,000
REMOVE 25,000 CHIPS
Level times can be altered based on the casino’s needs and suggested times are 1 hour, 90 minutes, or a combination of both. Please note that if hour long levels are used than breaks will be done every 2 levels and if 90 minutes than breaks should be done after each level. This will also leave latitude for the casino on when to schedule dinner breaks and end of days.
Final table structure for WPT Season IX. (excluding Bellagio)
If the average big blinds upon reaching final table are below 30 the structure will be rolled back to the appropriate level with a 30BB average as a minimum. If the average is above 30 then just continue on the same level in the below structure.
Hour long levels/ 30 minutes heads up, frozen on level if structure goes below 15BB average
3,000-6,000 1,000
4,000-8,000 1,000
5,000-10,000 1,000
6,000-12,000 2,000
8,000-16,000 2,000
10,000-20,000 3,000
12,000-24,000 4,000
Change 1,000's
15,000-30,000 5,000
20,000-40,000 5,000
25,000-50,000 5,000
Change 5,000's
30,000-60,000 10,000
40,000-80,000 10,000
50,000-100,000 10,000
60,000-120,000 20,000
Change 10,000 chips
75,000-150,000 25,000
100,000-200,000 25,000
125,000-250,000 25,000
150,000-300,000 50,000
200,000-400,000 50,000
250,000-500,000 75,000
300,000-600,000 75,000
So far the average final tables have lasted 8+ hours
(Casino Reserves the right to make changes in the best interest of the Tournament)