Running a home tournament with a clock
How long should levels be?
Level length sets the pace. Ten-minute levels suit a quick game of two to three hours; twenty minutes is a comfortable evening; thirty minutes gives more play per level. Pick the length first, then check the approximate total the clock shows — the real game usually ends earlier, because players are eliminated before the last level.
Standard, Turbo and Deep Stack
The three ready-made structures differ in starting stack and level length. Turbo starts with 50 big blinds and moves fast; Standard gives 200 big blinds and 20-minute levels; Deep Stack gives 500 big blinds and 30-minute levels. They are educational examples — copy one and adapt it to your group.
Why plan breaks?
Scheduled breaks let players rest, stretch and step away from the table at predictable times, not only after a difficult hand. A short break every hour or two keeps the game relaxed; the clock shows how long it is until the next one.
Ante and big blind ante
An ante is an extra forced contribution that grows the pot before the cards are dealt. With a classic ante every player pays; with a big blind ante the player in the big blind pays it for the whole table, which is simpler to run at home. The clock shows the ante type and from which level it starts.
Showing the clock on a TV
Open the clock on a laptop connected to the TV, or cast the browser tab, then choose Big screen mode and Full screen. Big screen mode keeps only the time, blinds, ante and next level in large type. Leaving full screen never pauses the clock.
Limits of this tool
The clock runs in your browser and saves its state on this device. If the page was closed or the device slept, it recalculates the correct level when you return. It needs to be opened once online and is not a full offline app. It does not manage seats, players' names or money.
Organising a home game responsibly
Agree the rules and the end time before you start, keep the game friendly and without pressure, and make sure everyone is an adult. A game with a cash buy-in or a commercial event can require a permit — check the rules where you live. If play stops being fun, take a break.