[omar]

I've got 11 coming over tonight for a NL tourney. It's my regular game, just a couple of guys are bringing along some buds. We've played 11 before, good for the purse, but the first few blind levels are really slow due to the dealing, etc. I am thinking about breaking up into 2 groups, a 5-table and a 6 handed table. Playing shorthanded till 9 players remaining then forming a 9 handed table and letting the others play a cash game as they bust out.

Your thoughts? I'm not crazy about the 2 shorthanded tables and also the fact that they would start out with an uneven number but I also know how tight we were packed with 11 at the table and how the game was really slow.

Your suggestions would be appreciated.

[dad604]

I would stick with 11 player table. Shouldn't be long before someone bust out.

[dammitjim]

I've done 2 small tables with 11 and merged at 8 (my good table only seats 8 ). No complaints so far.

[PocketRocket]

I too would be inclined to break it out to two tables and then merge them as the survivors thinned in numbers. No reason to be crowded and uncomfortable, it's supposed to be fun and relaxing.

[whitepotatoe]

Eleven handed poker is a bastard form of poker. I would play two tables until its down to 9 or 8 left.

[Murf]

Call up a 12th guy, and have two tables of six.

[pokrdrms]

Happens alot to us in the summer. We play 6 and 5 until 9 left for the final table. I don't like the 11 player table.

[Schoey12]

Yea, same here. I actually like 2 shorthanded tables at first because it does speed up the action in the beginning and people do bust out sooner. Not that busting out quickly is a good thing, but as long as its not me I have no coomplaints.