What is the Tavern Poker League?
The Tavern Poker League sponsors FREE Texas Hold'em poker tournaments at
your establishment. Players pay nothing to participate and can win
nightly prizes.
At the end of the quarter, the top players at each tavern qualify for the
Tavern Championship. Then the top players from each Tavern's quarterly
Championship qualify for the Quarterly Play off and the annual Grand Championship.
How does it work?
Players compete at your establishment in an elimination tournament with the
winner receiving the Local nightly prize. All players receive points,
depending on their standing to qualify for further playoffs and prizes.
WHY SHOULD I DO THIS????? If the players don't pay to play and they
don't drink more than they otherwise would, what benefit is there
to me the Tavern Owner?
The advantages to you are the increase in the total number of customers
you will have and the length of time they will stay. The tournaments
are designed to provide entertainment for slow nights and draw business
you would not otherwise get. This works similarly to a Karaoke night
or pool tournament night, ONLY BETTER. Tournaments are held at 6:30
and again at 9:00 so you are guaranteed a good crowd from 6:00-10:00 pm
on off nights. Of course many will come earlier and some will stay
later.
The purpose is not to encourage a small group of people to drink or pay
more. The goal is to increase the total number of people who come
in on POKER NIGHT.
How much help can I expect from Tavern
Poker League?
Unlike most leagues of this type, we are here to support you all the way.
We will train your people on how to run the tournaments and be there for
your first poker tournament! We will help you with promotional
material and ideas. We are available to you for help by phone,
email or web at any time.
Who does the advertising and promotion to make
sure I am successful?
Of course you are your own best advocate but we do more to help you than
any other event we are aware of, regardless of type. We supply you
with posters to put up on your walls and advertising material. We
also promote you on our website.
What does it cost the players to play?
There can be no cost to the players, including cover charges or drink minimums.
It is important that there be no gambling of any type at Tavern Poker League
events. Players or Taverns who violate this section are immediately
eliminated from the league. These tournaments are for FUN, entertainment
only.
Should I offer prizes in addition to the prizes
furnished by the Tavern Poker League?
It is not necessary at all. The prizes the League furnishes are draw
enough. But the more prizes that are offered the more fun the Players
have and the more often they come back. They don't need to be large
prizes. Booby prizes for the first one out or prizes for 2nd or 3rd
place are fun. Some bar owners get participation from their suppliers
in the form of glassware or t-shirts, etc. This is a personal decision
you make.
Is there a disadvantage to joining in the middle
of a quarter?
There is no time like the present to start building your business!!
There is no disadvantage to the players either. Since each bar gets
to sponsor the same number of players to all of the play-offs and future
tournaments the only thing that changes is the number of tournaments you
play before making your selection. If it were the day before quarter
end you could hold two tournaments to determine your qualifiers.
Why do Players play?
Everyone likes to win. Just like people gather to play bridge, it is more
about the competition and the camaraderie. The motivation is different for
everyone but here are some of the reasons. Hold'em is immensely popular.
There is a high degree of luck but still a skill level. Some play
to improve their skill, others just to compete. Maybe you can't sing
or play pool but ANYONE can play Texas Hold-em. Here is the chance
for many people who are left out of other forms of competition to get a
chance to gather with their friends and strut their stuff. Poker tournaments
are just plain fun!!
How many people should I expect?
Initially it will depend on your promotion and your demographic area.
In a small market if you normally have 2 customers on a Monday night you
may increase to 30. In a large market if you normally have 30 you
may gain 100. A lot of it is up to you and us. We will help
you promote. Texas hold-em is a big draw with wide appeal. It
is up to you and us to get the word out.
How much room will I need?
The minimum requirement is a table with 9 chairs or barstools. Most
Taverns play on barstool height tables with a simple cloth covered board
spread over two cocktail tables, surrounded by bar stools. Our representatives
will assist you in getting started. They will help you figure out
the amount of room, how to do the tables and so forth.
We want you to be successful.
How much work is required to host a poker tournament
and who does it?
Each Tavern has a volunteer Tournament Director. We work with that
person to take the load off of you. We compensate the volunteer with
a big annual party and special tournament just for them. Again, you
are not left on your own. Our staff will take care of all of the initial
training to get you started. There is also training and support available
on the website or by email or phone.
What poker equipment do I need?
We supply you with a starter kit of the basics. You will receive a
supply of poker chips, chip trays, a carrying case, high quality plastic
playing cards, dealer buttons, cut cards and training.
What nights are the tournaments held?
That is the great part. You get to pick. We work with all taverns
in your market to be sure you have exclusivity on the nights you select.
The first tavern in a market to sign up gets the first pick of nights.
In small town markets we will only enroll a single tavern. Our goal
is to help you build your business, not create competition for you.
Do I need internet access?
Either you or your Volunteer Tournament Director will need some form of
internet access to enter tournament results. It does not need to be
on the night of the tournaments.
Is this legal?
Most states allow this as a form of entertainment so long as there is no
cost to the Player. There is at least one state in the Midwest which
does not allow any prizes other than trophies, even if the players do not
pay anything. Tavern Poker League operates primarily in the Western
portion of the country and there
is no conflict we are aware of in those states. We always recommend
double checking your local laws.
