Tournament mechanics and rules

How does table balancing work?

We move players during tournaments to keep tables balanced. This happens in two ways:

Moving one player:

• We do it to fix uneven tables.
• We try to keep moves to a minimum.
• The system usually picks someone who has moved less than others or someone sitting out.
• The new seat is assigned close to the player’s previous position relative to the button.

Moving a full table:

• It happens when enough seats open to remove a table.
• All players from that table are reassigned to new seats at random.

Because of table balancing:

• You may pay blinds and then be moved back into them
• You may move from early to late position

All players face the same random chance.

Table balancing aims to:

• Spread moves evenly across players
• Keep blind positions as fair as possible

 

What happens during simultaneous elimination?

When multiple players are eliminated in the same hand:

• The player with more chips at the start of the hand ranks higher.
• If players started with equal stacks, they tie.
• Tied players split the combined prize evenly.

Example:

With 6 players left, two players bust on the same hand with equal stacks. They each receive (Prize 5 + Prize 6) ÷ 2.

 

What is hand-for-hand play?

Hand-for-hand play occurs late in multi-table tournaments.

• All tables play one hand at a time
• Each table waits for others to finish before starting the next hand

This ensures fairness near:

• The money bubble
• Major payout jumps

It prevents players from delaying play to gain an advantage.

 

What happens if players are eliminated at the same time?

If players bust on the same hand at different tables:

• They are treated as eliminated at the same time
• Final positions are based on starting chip counts

 

Can I sit out during a tournament?

Yes, you can sit out and fold every hand. Doing so puts you at a big disadvantage.

• You'll automatically fold every hand.
• You'll still pay blinds and antes.
• Your chip stack will decrease over time.

In rare cases, a player may reach a payout position without playing. Most of the time, this strategy puts players in a much worse position than just playing normally.

 

Where can I find more details?

For full rules and details:

Check our 'Tournament Rules' section.