[NoFear]

20 for me any thing less I think it is a crap shoot. Unless someone can shuffle fast and everyone is paying attention.

[TX_kiwi]

We struggle to get an orbit done in 20 minutes so I wouldn't shorten it, unless you regularly play with less than 8.

Another factor to consider is the norm for speed of play in your group. We've noticed that our regular game has sped up since one 'habitual deliberator' is no longer coming (he moved away). Frankly, we're amazed at the difference one guy made....

Agree with others that a more aggressive blind schedule seems a better way to achieve your objective of finishing within time.

[beekeeper]

I'd prefer longer blinds (20 minutes) but my group prefers faster tournaments, too. (That's because a couple of regulars will bust out by the second round regardless of starting stacks, blinds, etc., and they hate to sit around.)

Here's what I do: I stagger my blinds. We begin with (4) 15 minute blinds (1st hr), followed by (5) 12 minute blinds (2nd hr), followed by 10 minute blinds thereafter. The result is that the first hour has a lot of play, the second hour pushes the pace a little, and after that it's sh*t or get off the pot.

You could do (3) 20 minute blinds, (4) 15 minute, (5) 12 minute, etc.

[jdunford]

Originally Posted by beekeeper

I'd prefer longer blinds (20 minutes) but my group prefers faster tournaments, too. (That's because a couple of regulars will bust out by the second round regardless of starting stacks, blinds, etc., and they hate to sit around.)

Here's what I do: I stagger my blinds. We begin with (4) 15 minute blinds (1st hr), followed by (5) 12 minute blinds (2nd hr), followed by 10 minute blinds thereafter. The result is that the first hour has a lot of play, the second hour pushes the pace a little, and after that it's sh*t or get off the pot.

You could do (3) 20 minute blinds, (4) 15 minute, (5) 12 minute, etc.

I do something like this, as you can see here:
http://individual.utoronto.ca/jdunford/CPT/CPT-S4.pdf
Basically, have 20 minute levels when the tables are full, then after the break it's down to 18 min (and the tables generally shrink a lot during this period), then 15 min, etc. Blinds structure is similar to the one you'll be using. This is an attempt to avoid the 3-handed and heads-up battles becoming too drawn out.

I think we've only made it to the 12-minute levels once, and that's because 3 uber-loose-passive players (aka "donks") finished 1-2-3. It took them something like 1.5 hours until one of them (3rd place) got blinded out, then another hour for the next player (2nd place) to get blinded out... I was playing a cash game with the other aggressive players during that "battle". Couldn't bear to watch! It was painful. Sounded like this:

[sound of cards being dealt out]
"Call" ... "call" ... "check"
[sound of cards being dealt out]
"Check" ... "check" ... "check"
[click]
"Check" ... "check" ... "check"
[click]
"Check" ... "check" ... "check"

"Can anybody beat A-high?"
"Ya, I've got a straight."
"Oh, I've got a full house."
"OK. You win."

[repeat]

[Pinkie1212]

Leave out the 25/25 and use 18 minute blinds and you should be done in 3 hours

[beekeeper]

Originally Posted by jdunford

I was playing a cash game with the other aggressive players during that "battle". Couldn't bear to watch! It was painful. Sounded like this:

[sound of cards being dealt out]
"Call" ... "call" ... "check"
[sound of cards being dealt out]
"Check" ... "check" ... "check"
[click]
"Check" ... "check" ... "check"
[click]
"Check" ... "check" ... "check"

"Can anybody beat A-high?"
"Ya, I've got a straight."
"Oh, I've got a full house."
"OK. You win."

Hysterical

[jdunford]

Originally Posted by beekeeper

Hysterical

You think that's bad....

I refuse to hold another 7-stud-8 tourney ever again. I dealt after busting out, and when two passive players got heads up, it was absolutely ridiculous. The "bet levels" were so high by the end that if either player made a single bet after 4th street, he'd be all-in. But every hand, they'd ante, call the bring-in, and check it down. The only time anyone would bet, the other player would call and it would be a split pot (high/low). And not only did they check down every weak hand, but they tried to slow-play their obviously big hands (i.e. open AA or 3-of-a-kind) and, after the 2nd hour of heads-up, I started forcing them to bet. I don't remember any hand exactly, but this isn't far off (seriously):

"No. You can't check. I'm not going to deal the next card until you bet. Look: You've got A-K-K showing. Your opponent has J-9-2-rainbow. At best he's drawing to a straight. He can't even have a low. It's 3:30am and I have to teach in the morning. Bet, or I'm leaving with the all money."

[dhineline]

In a similar situation here. I hate to play faster than 20 min blinds but many of my friends want fast blinds. I reluctantly go with 18 min blinds. My blind schedule differs as follows: no 25,25 and no 75/150 but there is a 500/1000. Can also go to 15 or even 12 minutes when it is down to 2 or 3.

[FSU88]

Originally Posted by TX_kiwi

We struggle to get an orbit done in 20 minutes so I wouldn't shorten it, unless you regularly play with less than 8.

Another factor to consider is the norm for speed of play in your group. We've noticed that our regular game has sped up since one 'habitual deliberator' is no longer coming (he moved away). Frankly, we're amazed at the difference one guy made....

Agree with others that a more aggressive blind schedule seems a better way to achieve your objective of finishing within time.

I think kiwi nailed it. Look how long each hand takes, no matter how long your levels are, if you are only getting in 4 to 5 hands per level - it's still a turbo. I've taken over dedicated dealing in my home game (tourney only). I have one person shuffle behind the button so a fresh deck is always at the ready. I keep the flow of the game going. If you don't have a dedicated dealer, it slows the game way down. With that said, I like 30 min round to start, then shorten them up to 20 after that.

[NoFear]

Originally Posted by FSU88

I keep the flow of the game going. If you don't have a dedicated dealer, it slows the game way down. With that said, I like 30 min round to start, then shorten them up to 20 after that.

Great point...I am the dealer to all my game. I have to agree with you on 30min to start and 20 after that. Why, people talk and chit chat the first two level. After that the real game start.