Here's some information about poker games at the Skaare residence, including instructions on how to play, some rules unique to our game, the chip denominations, blinds, and payout structure, and a list of past and present players.
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The standard spiel
We play Texas Hold 'em at my place, on a date and time that
is announced through email. Depending on the number of people,
we have one or two tables, and play until one person takes
it all. It is $10 to
join in and a very relaxed atmosphere - in other words, beginners
are welcome. If you are interested in joining and don't already
receive my emails, please to be added to our distribution list. For those who haven't been
before, please also
if you need directions.
Late arrivals and buy-backs
Late arrivals can join the game no later than 9:30 PM, or at discretion of the House. Those arriving after 9:00 PM will only be able to start with a reduced amount of chips, as specified on the right.
While they will retain a place in my heart, buy-backs are limited to games with a small number of players, and in that case, subject to a majority consensus. I'm always willing to entertain the suggestion on a case-by-case basis,
but in general, say goodbye at large games.
Payout structure
To make everything as amicable and straightforward as possible, here are the amounts that first and second place will win depending on the number of participants. The only exception that can occur to the amounts below is if a winner (first or second) has bought back in at least once: winners always get back at least what they contributed to the pot.
| # of players |
3rd place |
2nd place |
1st place |
| 4 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$10 |
$30 |
| 5 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$10 |
$40 |
| 6 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$10 |
$50 |
| 7 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$10 |
$60 |
| 8 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$20 |
$60 |
| 9 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$20 |
$70 |
| 10 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$20 |
$80 |
| 11 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$20 |
$90 |
| 12 players/pot equivalent |
- |
$30 |
$90 |
| 13 players/pot equivalent |
$10 |
$30 |
$90 |
| 14 players/pot equivalent |
$10 |
$30 |
$100 |
| 15 players/pot equivalent |
$20 |
$30 |
$100 |
| 16 players/pot equivalent |
$20 |
$40 |
$100 |
| 17 players & over/pot equivalent |
$20 |
$40 |
remainder |
Points structure
During each game, players also accumulate points, demonstrating a player's
performance over time and skewed to encourage regular participation. The purpose
is not only to make fun of each other or stand in awe of our local poker greats,
but also to use if we want to try a longer, grander, more expensive one-time/annual
tournament. Points accrued during the season will determine not only final standings,
but also the number of chips received at the start of this "finale" tournament:
a good incentive to attend regular games. Note that in the event of a buy-back, the player is treated as though they were two people - they are given the points corresponding to each place they finished in, but the game is also counted for as many times as they bought back in (ex: Jason goes out first, buys back, and goes out again after one other player has lost. With eight people playing, Jason receives points for losing 9th and 7th, since he counted as two people. Because he bought back, this one game is entered as two, with impacting his average fairly).
| Player position |
Points received |
| 12th place or lower |
2 points |
| 11th place |
4 points |
| 10th place |
6 points |
| 9th place |
8 points |
| 8th place |
10 points |
| 7th place |
12 points |
| 6th place |
14 points |
| 5th place |
16 points |
| 4th place |
18 points |
| 3rd place |
20 points |
| 2nd place |
22 points |
| 1st place |
24 points + 2 point bonus |