Quick Pre-Game Setup Checklist
Ensure these essentials are ready before your players arrive:
- Equipment: 500 poker chips for up to 10 players, 2 decks of cards, dealer button, table & chairs.
- Timer: Load the Chip Challenger Blinds Timer to display levels and breaks on a TV or tablet.
- Buy-In & Rules: Set the entry fee, rebuy/re-entry policy, and house rules for smooth play.
- Food & Comfort: Snacks, drinks, lighting, and background music to keep energy high.
Step 1: Assign Starting Chips & Set Blind Pace
Combine your starting stack and blind schedule for a smooth tournament experience. We recommend starting stacks that match your game length:
- Turbo / 2-hour game: 3,000–4,000 chips (~60–80 big blinds at 25/50 blinds)
- Standard 3-hour game: 5,000 chips (~100 big blinds at 25/50 blinds)
- Deep / 4+ hour game: 7,500+ chips (~150 big blinds at 25/50 blinds)
Suggested starting stack for a 3-hour game (5,000 chips) with smoother low-value chips:
| Chip Value | Quantity | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 16 | 400 |
| 50 | 12 | 600 |
| 100 | 10 | 1,000 |
| 500 | 6 | 3,000 |
| Total | 44 Chips | 5,000 |
Blind levels: 20-minute levels for standard 3-hour games, 15-minute levels for turbo games. At the first break, perform a color-up by replacing lower denominations with higher chips to simplify stacks.
See our Blind Structures Guide for exact schedules and pacing for your game length.
Most home tournaments fail not because of bad cards, but because of poor pacing. Starting stacks, blind length, and chip denominations must work together. When these elements are aligned, the game naturally progresses without rushing or stalling.
Step 2: Assign Seats & Game Flow
- Pre-assign seats or draw randomly before cards are dealt.
- Rotate dealer positions each hand or assign a consistent dealer to stay organized.
- Use Chip Challenger to display current blinds, next break, and prize pool so you can focus on the game instead of counting chips or timing levels.
Step 3: Set Payouts
Decide payouts before the first hand. Typical home tournament percentages:
| Players | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–7 | 70% | 30% | - |
| 8–12 | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| 13–20 | 45% | 25% | 20% (4th: 10%) |
Chip Challenger can track payouts and rebuys automatically for multi-table or recurring home tournaments.
Step 4: Manage the Game Smoothly
- Track level changes and eliminations with a timer app to avoid distractions.
- Sound alerts for blind increases and breaks keep play smooth and predictable.
- Ensure players follow etiquette: act in turn, respect bets, no string betting.
- Use printed or digital house rules for clarity.
Step 5: Atmosphere & Comfort
- Provide light snacks and drinks that don’t interfere with gameplay.
- Keep lighting bright enough to see cards and chips clearly.
- Background music is optional but helps maintain a friendly atmosphere.
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