How do you guys combine Tables?

[imperial10]

This could be quick or up for discussion. But I was wondering what is the general rule or method of combining tables.

Last night I had a game with 11 players, one table of 5 and another with 6.

2 eliminated from each table then we combined tables, leaving 7 on one table. I basically took the remaining 3 players from a table and put them in seats 5-7.

[pokerplayingpisces]

My league on Friday nights has 11 players. We start like you do, 6 on one table, 5 on the other. We combine @ 8 players. When we are down to 8, we move to one table, and re-draw for seats.

[abby99]

I follow mrticsay's excellent method for combining tables, explained here. When written out, the process can appear to be a little daunting. However, once I thought it through, it makes a lot of sense and is easy to recall and implement on the fly. The basic idea is to weave the players together in order to preserve everybody's position relative to the button.

Edit: I prefer to consolidate to the FT at 9 players.

[BPTDirector]

Whenever table differential > 1 on any two tables move player who is BB next hand on the more populated table to the smaller table. I've seen it this way at most small tournaments I've played in casinos.

[guinness]

Redraw for seats.

[imperial10]

Originally Posted by guinness

Redraw for seats.

Adding from this awesome pic, we then Roman Greco wrestle for position.

[Double Eagle]

Redraw for seats.

[ovo]

redraw

[BGinGA]

Originally Posted by abby99

I prefer to consolidate to the FT at 9 players.

Same here -- this way, no table will ever have fewer than five players, until the final four at the final table.


Moving the 'next big blind' player at the heavy table to the light table's open seat that is closest to being the next big blind is the fairest way, imo.

Seat redraws should always been done when breaking down from three tables to two, or from two tables to one.

[JasperToo]

Interesting that you all play short handed for so long. Depending on how many players we have on the regular Friday night game we will start with 3 tables 2 or 1.

If we have 21 or more players then we have three tables and break them down to 2 when there are 18 (9 per table). When we get to 10 we go to the final. Seats are drawn from a stack of seat chips from the empty seats at the full tables.

If we only have 11 players for a game then we start an 11 handed table and don't mess with two short handed tables. If we have 12 players we will start with 2 short handed tables but move to final when there are ten players. Again, the new players come to the full table by seat draw with original players remaining in their seat (though drawing for seats would be proper procedure, for a home game it's a pain in the ass). We then draw for the button at the final table.