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.

Quick Links:
Double Header
Bounty
Sit 'N Go's
Ring Game
Deep Stack Dinner

Double Header Format
Tournaments will have all players start with 2000 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 chips are worth 10 points each, including your own.  Bounty chips are redeemed for points once the tournament reaches the final table.  If you have collected other player's 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
A maximum of 8 tables will be available for the duration of the night, and all tables will be running single table tournaments of no more than 8 players.  Once a table has all its players seated, play will begin.  If you loose all your chips, you may sit down in any open seat at any table and begin another tournament.  There is no limit on how many tournaments you may 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; 40 points - 2nd; 25 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). A table will be available for the Ring Game at every event we hold, on every night of the week.

Players "buy" into the Ring Game with points.  Points are exchanged for chips to play with at the table.  If a player starts the night with 50 points or less in the Ring Game Division, they are entitled to a "stake", to bring their total up to 50 points maximum.  "Stakes" do not need to be paid off if they play for more than 90 minutes.  If a player has more than 50 points at the start of the night, they must "buy in" with their own points, and are not entitled to a stake.

Maximum buy-in: 100 points (10,000 in chips)
Chip/Point Ratio: 100/1
Blinds: 25/50
Structure: 50-2000 spread limit

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. Players may "fill up" their stack mid-game to a maximum of 100 points, 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. If the table is full when you want a seat, you will be waitlisted.  Players on the waitlist will be allowed 10 minutes to take their seat once it has opened for them.

Deep Stack Dinner
This form of poker tournament is a bit different than our "free poker" events.  This is a private event held for league members only.  Registration is free and easy, and you can do it now by clicking here.  League members who would like to play in one of our Deep Stack Dinner games will pay a $15 fee that will go towards your dinner at this event.  Once you are inside this private event, you may participate in a poker tournament for free.  For more specifics about this unique structure, click here.

Deep Stack tournaments will have all players start with 5000 in chips.  Blinds will increase every 30 minutes.  Only 1 tournamens per night will be played, lasting approximately 4 1/2 hours.

To see the blinds schedule for each format, click here.