How the prize pool is distributed is different from site to site with 2 main differences in the percentage awarded. For the past 30 years the payouts have been about the same style known as the regular payout and some people prefer a flat payout structure.
What is the difference? Which do you prefer?
With a Regular Payout (most common) is 10% of the field (entrants) get paid which is very top heavy, rewarding those that play for first. A Flat Payout is 15% which makes it a easier to finish in the money.
I’m all for finishing in the money but at the same time I want my time and effort to be rewarded. With the way online poker now a days is played it really isn’t that hard to finish in the money with a flat payout structure. Play with patience and some understanding of the other players at the table and you will accumulate chips to double up your buyin.
Doubling up isn’t always worth that much time it takes to play, sure it is better then not making anything, no one wants to end the game busting out the money. A skilled poker player feels they will win every tournament they enter so why not get the most out of the prize pool.
Really the argument would be just that, for who is playing the game. If your a grinder or amateur player playing low level or online then the flat payout would be ideal. If your a pro having to travel to venues to play big tournaments then the regular payout is almost a necessity.
I was reading an article on Card Player Magazine that was dated back in 2001 how Barry Shulman (owner of Card Player), and T.J. Cloutier (the most successful tournament player in history) talked about the differences and their objections to the other payout structure.
Shulman prefers the flat structure and TJ prefers the regular structure.
The two bring up a valid points, personally I will side with TJ on this one because his view is about poker for the players, while Barry is all about marketing the game of poker.
Have a read over this article Payout Structure Debate by Mike Sexton
and lets talk about which payout structure you prefer.
Somewhat feel there are both arguments for this, just as stated in your blog and the article – but I’m looking at it from a different angle I think. LIVE PLAY – Deals / Rule of No Deals is much easier and likely to be inforced. Players who travel & play for a living know the rules of the game and respect them 1000 to 1 more than online players. The respect for the rules is also much heavier live.
Personal feeling is that when one sits into a tournament, their sitting in TO WIN – not just finish in the money. So yes, it’s great to have a distance between 1st & 2nd payout amounts (and so forth down the line).
For where i’m at now in my poker game I like just making it into the money.
However for those that are more experienced, who’ve worked hard to get where your at, spend more to play, I can see preferring the regular payout so that you are more rewarded for your efforts.
Honestly, until I read this blog I wasn’t aware that there were 2 different payout structures.
You’re always keeping me informed
When I was in my live tourney & it was suggested that the top 3 give a little something back to the player on the bubble, I was all for it. ( we grinded for 4.5 hours).
I thought anyone that made the FT and hung in there that long deserved something. I also knew that the $$ we decided upon was a drop in the bucket from what the top 3 were going to be paid and in just one hand played poorly that could have been me.
So I am for the flat rate..
Outstanding poker players will most likely do well in the tournaments they play, will see the cash and be rewarded based on their years of experience. The less experienced player with great cards on any given day can take those and perhaps hone their skill and by playing longer and properly be rewarded and gain more knowledge and confidence.
One last thought: Like marathon runners that have to qualify for cetain big races.. Is there anything like that in poker? Your ranking and getting to play the Big games vs just being able to buy your way in??
I like your basic 10 % for sure, i hate when i accidentally enter a 20 % award structure on PS and feel like im just getting jypped haha!
lol Steve
it is good that they do have more then 1 payout structure and online sites should adapt to have them both. The smaller buyin trnys should be the 15% and bigger games the 10%.
Live games like the World Poker Tour (WPT) probably should be 10% and the World Series of Poker as well 10%. To award those that are playing as job.
personally myself I won’t make final table deals