[omar]

I am having my semi-annual Tournament of Champions this Friday night. In general, I host a regular game every other week or so and each player has been putting in $5 towards a TOC pot. You then get points based on when you bust out at each regular tourney (1 pt for first out , 2 for second out, etc). At the end of 12 tourneys, your best 9 finishes are then your point total and each point counts for T100 in starting chips. With an additional T2,500 chips for a $25 add-on, I have starting stacks that range from T$4,900 to T$8,800. We will use the the WSOP ME blinds, with 30 minute levels. Pot isn't huge, roughly $750, and I'll play 3 places, roughly $450, $200 and $100.

The problem I have is this - I have 11 players. Should I start 11-handed? Or two tables of 5 and 6, then combine after 2 players are knocked out? I played 11-handed for the first half of the first day in event 17 at this years WSOP, so there seems to be a precedent for 11-handed play in a "real" tournament. On the other hand, the starting stacks are plenty big for the starting blinds so playing shorthanded tables at first won't require too much of an adjustment for the short stacks. I am not crazy about either option but I lean to the 11-handed start. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[compost kid]

If your table will sit 11, I say go that route. If you can play 10 handed, surely you can play 11.

[dad604]

Between having 11 on single table or split 5 and 6, I would take 11 on single table. It is done fairly often at B&M rooms at start of tournaments.

[omar]

Thanks folks. I am going to go with 11.

[MeridianFC]

You can now say your table goes to 11.