The SPO prides itself on the fact that play in our league is effectively "training" you for real money casino tournaments. Our results speak for themselves, with SPO players regularly cashing for large prizes. One of the key elements is the fact that you can experience formats of tournament poker that you will find at the casino, all for free in our league. Whether you prefer the more aggressive play of the Standard Format, or the deep stack play of the Extended Format, you will always have a choice in the SPO.
Double Header Format
Tournaments will have all players start with 1500 in chips. Blinds will increase every 15 minutes. 2 tournaments per night will be played, lasting approximately 2 1/2 hours each.
Bounty Format
Tournaments will have all players start with 3000 in chips. Blinds will increase every 20 minutes*. Only 1 tournament per night will be played, lasting approximately 4-5 hours. Every player will also receive a Bounty Chip with their starting chip stack. This chip will only be in play when you go all in. If you lose your all in, the player with the winning hand collects your Bounty chip.
* - Bounty Tournaments that start with 40 or more players will have the blinds shortened to 15 minutes after the first break (3 levels, or 1 hour).
Bounty chips are worth 5 points each, including your own. Bounty chips are redeemed for points once the tournament reaches the final table. If you have collected other players bounty chips and do not make the final table, they are still redeemable for 5 points each.
Any Bounty Chip collected by knocking another player out cannot be lost. That is yours to redeem regardless of your performance in the tournament.
Only 1 tournament per night will be played, lasting approximately 4 hours.
Sit 'N Go Format
These tournament are very unique. A maximum of 8 tables will be going for the duration of the night, and all tables will be running single table tournaments of 8 players. Once a table has 8 players seated, play will begin. If you loose all your chips, you may sit down in any free seat at any table and begin another tournament. There is no limit on how many tournaments you can play in a single night, and you may show up at any time you like. All players will start with 1000 in chips and blinds will increase very 15 minutes. Each single table tournament usually lasts approximately 1 hour. Points will be awarded 60 points - 1st; 35 points - 2nd; 20 points to 3rd.
Ring Game Format (The Ring Game, or sometimes called a "Cash Game", is a form of poker that is NOT a tournament). SPO Ring Game tables will play with up to 8 players, and will play No Limit Texas Hold Em (additional games may be played with approval from the Tournament Director).
Players "buy" into the Ring Game with points. Based on the game they wish to play (see below), their points will get them chips in which they will play the game with. If a player starts the night with 40 points or less in the Ring Game Division, they are entitled to a marker, to bring their total up to 40 points maximum. Markers do not need to be paid off if they play for more than 90 minutes. If a player has more than 40 points at the start of the night, they must "buy in" with their own points, and are not entitled to a marker.
Entry Level
Minimum buy-in: 10 points; Maximum buy-in: 50 points;
Chip/Point Ratio: 100/1
Blinds: 25/50
Structure: 50-1000 spread limit
Eexperienced Level
Minimum buy-in: 40 points; no Maximum Buy-in
Chip/Point Ratio: 100/1
Blinds: 50/100
Structure: No limit
*No markers allowed for this format - players must use their own points
When wishing to play the Ring Game, players are only limited by how many points they have previously earned in that Division. If they lose all their chips at the table, they may "buy in" again and continue playing, provided they have the points to do so.
Common forms of "deal making" that are witnessed in High Stakes games (ie: running it twice, chopping pre-flop, getting insurance, etc.) will be allowed, as is prop betting.
Blinds in the Ring Game format remain at the same level and never increase. Seats in a Ring Game table are first come -first served. Additional tables may be created at the Tournament Director's discretion.
Second Chance Sit 'N Go Format
These tournaments are very similar to the standard Sit 'N Go, but may be played while the main tournament is still going. They are provided for the those players that bust out of an event, and would like a "second chance" to make some points for the night. As the main game winds down, and tables are consolidated, free tables will be turned into single-table tournaments that follow the same structure as the Sit 'N Go format above. These tournaments will be "winner take all", and the winner will receive the same amount of points as 8th place in the main game. All players start with 1000 in chips and blinds start at 25/50 and double every 15 minutes. As more tables become free, more Second Chance Sit 'N Go's will start up. No SCSNG's will be started once we reach 2 tables in the main game.
To see the blinds schedule for each format, click here.
|
