Blog
Notes from the floor
Table balancing, blind structures, bounties, rulings and the software that runs them — how tournaments actually work, written for the directors who run them.
Poker Shot Clock: Should Your Tournament Use One?
Tanking is a real problem. But a poker shot clock isn't right for every event. Here's when to use one — and a better option for most home games.
Do Longer Blind Levels Always Make a Better Poker Tournament?
Longer blind levels reward skill — but they wreck your final table. Here's the poker blind structure framework every TD needs before their next event.
The Most Misunderstood Rules in Tournament Poker
Verbal declarations. All-in sizing. Checking the nuts. Seven poker tournament rules generate most floor disputes — and most TDs need to know them cold.
Are Too Many Color-Ups Hurting Your Tournament?
The Tyler Brown WSOP incident exposed a real tension: color-ups speed up play, but over-coloring creates the same friction they were designed to fix.
Is Poker Tournament Software Stuck in the Past?
From timer apps to enterprise room systems, here's an honest look at what poker tournament software gets right, what it still gets wrong, and what comes next.
Mystery Bounties Changed What Players Expect From Tournaments
Mystery bounties drew 19,654 entries at the 2025 WSOP. But are they good for poker? The honest answer depends on who you ask, and how well you run them.
Why Tournament Duration Is So Hard to Predict
You set a 6-hour tournament. It ran 9. Here's why predicting poker tournament duration is genuinely hard, and what actually moves the needle.
Should You Vibe Code Your Own Poker Tournament Software?
Free poker tournament software already exists and handles every edge case. Here's exactly when building your own makes sense — and when it's a weekend wasted.
Should Poker Tournament Tables Be Balanced More Aggressively?
Poker tournament table balancing done wrong gives chip leaders a hidden structural edge. Learn the stage-based framework that makes your event fairer.