Types of Poker Tournaments

Players frequently ask the question, "How many different types of poker tournaments are there?" One possible answer could be, "As many types of tournaments as variations of poker."This means that no matter what variety of poker you like, you can find a tournament. There are even tournaments that combine playing several variations of poker, one after the other.

There are tournaments for high-rollers and tournaments for players of more modest means.

There is another way to answer the original question: "There are actually a few basic types of tournaments. Every tournament, in whichever game you wish to play, will fall into one of these categories."

Elimination Tournaments

No matter how many players begin the tournament only one remains standing at the end. All the others have been eliminated. These are the most common tournaments both online and in land-based casinos. The players all begin the tournament with the same number of chips, representing the same amount of money. The winner is the one with all the chips at the end.

In elimination tournaments, the sponsors try to keep the tables as full as possible. So, they move players from one table to another as players are eliminated from them.

Shootouts

Of course, the winner is the player with all the chips at the end. There is one big difference between shootouts and elimination tournaments, and it is a big strategic difference. In shootouts, the players stay at their table until one player emerges victorious from that table. This leads to changes in strategy for the blinds, positional play generally, and leads to more head-to-head competition.

The winners of the tables are put together to form new tables and the tournament proceeds.

Rebuy Tournaments

This type of tournament differs from the previous two in one crucial way: if a player loses all his chips he may buy more and stay in the tournament. Casinos that offer rebuy tournaments will have their own rules about the rebuy option. Some allow one rebuy; others more than one. Some allow a rebuy up to a certain stage of the tournament.

Rebuy tournaments last longer than elimination and shootout tournaments. The final pot grows as players rebuy.

Satellite Tournaments

In tournaments with a high buy-in, there may be players who can't make the buy-in but would like to play anyway. A satellite tournament is held for such players. The satellite tournament offers players the chance to win one competition and, with the winnings, to buy into a larger tournament.

Sit-and-Go Tournaments

These tournaments don't begin at a specific time. Whenever enough players are available, the tournament begins. Usually these are one or two-table tournaments.

A variation on sit-and-go has a tournament begin one day and continue another day. In our fast-paced world, this is the only type of tournament some players have the flexibility to enter.

Head-to-head Tournaments

These are a variation of elimination tournaments but they more resemble March Madness, the college basketball tournament, than regular poker tournaments. Players play head-to-head. When one player wins s/he continues.

Variations on the Variations

Every tournament has many variations. These may involve how many players receive prize money, the speed of the game, the increments in the blinds, and many other variations. The only thing stopping casinos from initiating more tournament variations is imagination on the one hand and the interest and willingness of players on the other hand.

Conclusion

Some players go from tournament to tournament. The formats suit their personalities. There are so many tournaments both online and on land, that tournament hawks can always find the kind of action they like.