PokerStars Tournament Types

PokerStars players have the option to choose between a number of different types of tournaments. Depending on a player's playing preferences or mood, the player can choose a tournament that takes a long time, or one that will finish relatively quickly. He/she can choose between a fast structure that encourages fast play and a slower structure where conservative play may be best. Whatever a player's tastes may be; PokerStars has a tournament that is sure to be just what he/she is looking for.

Multi-table Tournaments

A multi-table tournament is any tournament that consists of more than one table. For their buy-in, players receive a set number of chips. The blinds rise according to a set schedule that can be seen in the tournament lobby. As players are eliminated, the tables are consolidated until eventually there is only one table left. Play continues until there is only one player left who has all of the chips and he/she will be declared the winner.

Shootouts

A shootout is a special kind of multi-table tournament. Normally, when you play in a multi-table tournament, players are moved from table to table to balance the number of players at each table. Eventually, the fortunate last nine players end up at the "final table". In a shootout, no such table balancing is done. You remain at your original table until only one player is left standing. If you win that table, you advance to another table and repeat the process against players who each won their first table.

In a DOUBLE SHOOTOUT, you need to win two tables to win the event, although often there is some money for everybody who makes the second table. . Each starting table is played to its conclusion; the final table is formed of the winners of the first round matches.

In a TRIPLE SHOOTOUT, you must win three tables to win the entire event (again, there may well be some prize money distributed along the way). For example, assuming a standard (9 players per table) triple shootout is full, 729 players will be placed, 9 per table, at 81 tables within the tournament. Each table will play until there is one player remaining with all of the chips from that table. The 81 players remaining will then be moved to 9 tables for Round 2. As in Round 1, each table will play until one player has all of the chips from that table. Finally, the 9 remaining players will advance to the final table, where the Champion of the tournament shall be determined.

Note that this whole process could be extended to quadruple shootouts and on up. Also, the tables don't necessarily have to start at nine players each. For instance, for the 2004 *WSOP, we ran triple shootouts with four-player tables (a total of 64 players in each event).

Satellites

Satellites are tournaments where the winners receive buy-ins or prize packages to larger events in lieu of prize money. There are many different varieties of satellites. Some satellites are multi-table affairs and some are single table, Sit & Go formatted tournaments. Some are Shootouts and others feature re-buys. Some satellites are for major events, like the World Series of Poker, and others are for events like the PokerStars Sunday Million. As you can see, there can be many different kinds of satellites and they can be held for many different events. PokerStars is proud to offer the best satellite system online and has the champions to prove it. Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, and Joe Hachem all emerged from PokerStars satellites to win the World Series of Poker.

Freerolls

Freeroll tournaments are events that are free and have no buy-in. Although there is no buy-in, that does not mean that you cannot win cash prizes. Many of PokerStars freerolls have prize pools that include either entry into larger tournaments or cash prizes.

Freeroll tournaments are very popular and often fill up quickly. To have the best chance of participating make sure you are ready when registration begins. Most freeroll tournaments are followed by a tournament with a very small buy-in so players who miss out on the freeroll will have a chance to play for relatively little risk.

Sit & Go

Sit & Go tournaments are different than other tournaments because they have no set start time. They are offered 24 hours a day and begin when the target number of players is registered. There are a number of different varieties of Sit & Go tournaments available round the clock.

Single Table: 9 players compete and the top 3 places are paid (50%-30%-20%)

Two Table: 18 players are randomly seated at two tables. When 9 players are remaining, the tables are consolidated to one table. 4 places receive prize money (40%-30%-20%-10%).

Multi-Table: Accommodate anywhere from 18 to 180 players. Tables are consolidated as players are eliminated. Payouts vary depending on number of participants and can be found in the tournament lobby.

Heads Up: Two players put up buy-ins and one winner takes it all.

4 Player Heads Up: 4 players begin in two separate heads up matches. The winners move on to the next round where they play for the prize money, winner takes all.

Re-buy Tournaments

Re-buy tournaments allow players to buy more chips during the "re-buy period". The re-buy period usually lasts until the first break. During the re-buy period you can pay an amount equal to the original buy-in to receive an amount of chips that is generally equal to the starting stack size. You may re-buy any time you have a chip stack that is equal to or less than the chips that you started with.

Often there is an Add-on that is available in addition to re-buys. The add-on is available at the break that signifies the end of the re-buy period. Add-ons generally cost the same as the original buy-in and are usually for the same amount of chips as the re-buys (although some tournaments give you a premium for your add-on)

Deep Stacks

Deep Stack tournaments are exactly what they sound like. They are tournaments where you receive more starting chips than you do in most events. Most deep stack tournaments give players 5,000 in tournament chips. The blinds usually increase in the same amounts, although the levels are generally 30 minutes instead of the usual 15. This makes these events have more play in them than the regular tournaments.

6-max

6-max tournaments limit the number of players to 6 per table. Many players prefer to play at the short-handed tables and this is their opportunity. 6-max tournaments are generally shown in the lobby in a shade of light blue.

Turbo

Turbo tournaments are fast paced and many players find them to be a lot of fun. In turbo tournaments the blinds and/or antes increase much faster than they do in a traditionally structured tournament. Most turbo tournaments have 5-minute levels instead of the regular 15-minute levels.

Turbo re-buy tournaments generally have the first break (and end the re-buy period) at 30 minutes as opposed to the traditional 60 minutes.

For further more information, please visit our PokerStars tournaments.