If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this a good poker tournament?” you know it’s not an easy question to answer. The definition of a “great” tournament can vary significantly from player to player. Some players value massive fields with big buy-ins and the potential for substantial paydays, while others might prefer tournaments where they can experience deeper, more strategic play before it becomes a “shovefest” at the final stages. Others still might be focused on finding a tournament with the most favorable rake or the weakest opponents. Essentially, what constitutes a “good” poker tournament is subjective, but with some data-driven insights, we can provide some clarity on how to evaluate poker tournaments based on established norms.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Poker Tournament
Understanding what makes a poker tournament “good” requires us to establish some baseline expectations for typical daily and weekly poker tournaments. These tournaments are different from massive events like the World Series of Poker (WSOP) or World Poker Tour (WPT) Circuit events, which often have higher buy-ins, extensive structures, and attract large fields. In this article, we’re focusing on regular, recurring daily or weekly tournaments that are found at casinos or poker rooms across the U.S.
Over the past nine months, we’ve gathered information from over 1,300 poker tournaments around the country. With this data, we aimed to understand several key metrics that can help you evaluate poker tournaments more objectively, such as typical buy-ins, field sizes, tournament rake (the house’s share), chip stack sizes, and tournament structures.
Understanding these basic elements is crucial because they set expectations for what players can expect from a typical tournament. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, knowing what to expect from a poker tournament can help you make better decisions about where to play and which events are likely to suit your goals.
Typical Buy-Ins for Weekly Poker Tournaments
Buy-ins can vary greatly depending on the location and type of tournament, but in general, most poker rooms across the United States hold weekly tournaments with buy-ins ranging from as low as $5 to as high as $500. The term “buy-in” refers to the amount a player must pay to enter the tournament. It’s worth noting that the definition of buy-in can sometimes be more complex than just the upfront entry fee. Many poker rooms offer “dealer adds” — small additional fees that give players extra chips for a better chance at success during the tournament. For instance, if a $150 tournament offers an extra $10 for 10,000 additional chips, the total cost of participation could be considered $160.
The data we gathered from over 1,300 tournaments revealed that the average buy-in across the United States is approximately $104, with the median buy-in at $100. This means most players can expect to pay around $100 to play in a typical weekly poker tournament. A closer look at the distribution of buy-ins reveals the following breakdown:
- 21.8% of tournaments have buy-ins of $50 or less.
- 41.2% fall in the $51 to $100 range.
- 29.5% fall within the $101 to $200 range.
- 7.4% of tournaments feature buy-ins of $200 or more.
It’s interesting to note that only about 37 tournaments (out of the more than 1,000 we looked at) had buy-ins of $300 or more, with only 9 tournaments exceeding $400. Most of these higher-buy-in events are found in Las Vegas at places like the Venetian.
The Rake: How Much Does the House Take?
The “rake” refers to the percentage of the buy-in that the poker room or casino withholds as its fee. This fee helps cover the casino’s expenses and is deducted before the remainder of the money is added to the prize pool. As expected, the rake tends to be inversely correlated with the size of the buy-in. In other words, higher buy-ins generally come with a lower rake.
For instance, of the 941 tournaments we gathered data from that provided rake information, the average rake was 24.7%, with a median rake of 24.0%. Interestingly, smaller buy-in tournaments tend to have higher rakes compared to their larger counterparts. Here’s a look at the relationship between buy-in amounts and rake percentages:
- $50 or less buy-in: 28.7% rake.
- $51 to $100 buy-in: 26.9% rake.
- $101 to $200 buy-in: 21.9% rake.
- More than $200 buy-in: 17.2% rake.
Knowing the rake can help you make informed decisions. A tournament with a high rake relative to the buy-in may reduce your overall potential profitability, so it’s essential to keep an eye on this factor before entering any tournament.
Starting Chip Stacks: How Much Do You Get to Start With?
The number of starting chips you receive plays an important role in determining how long you can survive in the tournament without having to take unnecessary risks. A larger starting stack provides more flexibility and allows you to play a deeper, more strategic game in the early levels.
The data we gathered showed that the average starting stack across all tournaments was just under 20,000 chips (19,254 chips to be exact). The median starting stack is 17,000 chips. A key finding from the data is that, just like the rake, there’s a direct relationship between the size of the buy-in and the size of the starting stack:
- $50 or less buy-in: 16,425 chips.
- $51 to $100 buy-in: 18,115 chips.
- $101 to $200 buy-in: 21,250 chips.
- More than $200 buy-in: 27,125 chips.
Players entering tournaments with higher buy-ins can expect larger starting chip stacks, which translates to more opportunities to maneuver and implement strategy during the early stages of the game.
Tournament Structure: How Long Will the Tournament Last?
The structure of a tournament refers to how the blinds (the forced bets that drive the action) increase over time. A tournament with a slower, more deliberate blind structure generally provides a longer, more strategic experience, while a fast-paced blind structure leads to a quicker, more chaotic environment.
One common way to evaluate a tournament’s structure is by using S-Points. S-Points are a method of quantifying a tournament’s structure based on factors like the size of the blinds and the rate at which they increase. Higher S-Points generally correlate with longer playtimes and deeper stacks. Our data shows that most weekly poker tournaments have an S-point score between 5 and 60, with a median score of 21. Typically, tournaments with lower S-point scores (around 10-20) will play out quickly, lasting around 3-4 hours, while those with higher S-point scores (above 30) may last 12+ hours.
Here’s a breakdown of average S-point scores based on buy-in amount:
- $50 or less buy-in: 16.4 S-points.
- $51 to $100 buy-in: 17.6 S-points.
- $101 to $200 buy-in: 29.1 S-points.
- More than $200 buy-in: 42.9 S-points.
It’s important to note that a higher S-point score doesn’t necessarily mean the tournament is “better,” but it does indicate a longer duration of play. A slower structure may be preferred by players who want a more thoughtful, strategic game rather than a quick, high-variance experience.
Field Size: How Many Players Are Competing?
The number of players in a tournament plays a significant role in determining both the size of the prize pool and the level of competition you’ll face. Smaller tournaments often have fewer competitors, which can increase your chances of cashing, while larger tournaments provide bigger prize pools but often feature more difficult competition.
The data revealed that the average field size for weekly tournaments is just under 52 players, with a median field size of 43 players. Here’s the breakdown of field sizes:
- 25 players or less: 22.6% of tournaments.
- 26 to 50 players: 37.4% of tournaments.
- 51 to 100 players: 28.9% of tournaments.
- More than 100 players: 11.0% of tournaments.
While field size is an important consideration, it doesn’t determine whether a tournament is “good” or not. Larger field sizes typically offer higher prize pools, but the variance in terms of cashing can also increase. In contrast, smaller tournaments may offer more consistent cashing opportunities but lower prize pools.
Evaluating Your Local Poker Tournaments
With all these data points, you can now assess your local weekly poker tournaments against these benchmarks. Perhaps your favorite tournament has a high rake or poor structure that’s reducing your overall win rate. If you’ve been struggling in tournaments, it could be a result of playing in events with unfavorable conditions. Conversely, if you’re enjoying the tournaments you play in, there’s no need to change your routine — but it’s good to be aware of what other tournaments may offer.
By understanding these factors, you can make more informed decisions, whether you’re looking
for longer, more strategic play, or aiming for larger prize pools with big fields. Always compare your local options with the average data, and don’t hesitate to explore other venues if the conditions aren’t favorable.
Ultimately, a good poker tournament is one that aligns with your goals, whether that’s entertainment, strategy, or profitability.