Update #4 - May 14, 2012

Please be at the Barton residence on time as I would like for the tournament to begin as close to 7:00 PM as possible.  Doors will be open at 6:30 PM, for those of you wanting to get a feel for the setting or for those who may have questions about the format or poker in general.  I will be updating this blog each night this week with the tournament rules that will be in effect for Saturday night.

In Texas Hold'em, the two players to the left of the dealer will be making mandatory blind bets with the first blind bet being half the size of the second blind bet.  All bets then made must be at least the size of the big blind and any raise must be at least the size of the bet being raised.

For example, the night will start off with the small blind at $5 and the big blind at $10.  All players will then be given the chance to play that hand by calling the big blind or by raising (including the dealer and two players who bet the blinds).  Any subsequent opening bets must be at least $10.  Every 15 minutes, the blind bets will increase (along with the minimum bets), following this schedule:

1. 5 - 10
2. 10 - 20
3. 15 - 30
4. 20 - 40
5. 30 - 60
6. 40 - 80
7. 50 - 100
8. 75 - 150
9. 100 - 200
10. 150 - 300
11. 200 - 400
12. 300 - 600
13. 400 - 800
14. 500 - 1000

As players are eliminated, there will be opportunities to change in chips for larger denominations to assist in the handling of winnings.

Check back tomorrow and I will discuss split pots and betting protocol.