[Clipper]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR . . . This format is called a cash-out tournament. They are rare; I once played in one in a casino in Washington state. You use cash-value chips (If the buyin is $50, you get $50 in actual cash game chips). Say if there were 50 players, you would play until you get down to the last 5 players (whatever % of people you choose actually). Here is the kicker. Nobody can cash out until you get to the last 5 players. The short stack has the option to cash-out between hands. The stipulation is that you have to post your blinds, then the short stack can cash out. The other players can't cash out. After each hand, the short stack (after playing blinds) has the option to cash out.

This format encourages players to win all of the chips. It does little good to get blinded off but to squeak into 3rd or 4th place just by surviving. Another thing, there are no deals (other than informal agreements to split profits).