"Poker Tournament Payout Schedule: What It Is And How It Affects Your Play"A poker tournament payout schedule lets you know how many places are paid and what amount each place gets. Every poker room posts this after buy-ins are complete. Most poker rooms today have the payout schedule displayed on a television or projection screen, for all players to see.
The poker tournament payout schedule offers a percentage of the prize pool based on how well you placed in the tournament. The highest percentage of the prize pool goes to 1st with each place after receiving a smaller percentage, until the last person to cash, gets the smallest percentage. This example illustrates payouts in a $24 USD tournament on full tilt poker, with 90 entrants, an $1800 prize pool, and 9 players getting paid. 1st is $576 32% of prize pool The difference between 1st and other places is a descent size. How does the poker tournament payout schedule affect play? There are two “schools” of thought on this subject. They stem from players’ desires. Do you want to make it to 1st place or simply cash in the tournament? Players whom want 1st place and the biggest payout, have to accumulate chips. To accumulate chips you must be an “active” player. Active players can seem reckless and careless with their chips, but they want the big payday. The other style of play, in short, is to not play at all. The thought is that you shouldn’t put ANY of your chips at risk, unless you absolutely must. This style typically makes it into the money, but doesn’t make it far enough for the big payouts. Which is the best style? The best style is the opposite style of your opponents. If your opponent is playing to place in the money, they’re easy to bluff and take chips from. If your opponent is playing for 1st play slightly fewer hands than them, but don’t play so tight that you’re an easy target for bluffs. Keep in mind that playing for first players are more likely to bluff and also easy to pick up chips from when they bluff. Poker tournament payout schedules let you know exactly what you’re getting paid and they also affect how opponents play. Pay attention to which opponents play for 1st and which play to place in the money. This will allow you to apply the best strategy. Good luck! |
