For as long as I have been running tournaments, we have always set a table break order and stuck to that order.
But with the big blind ante becoming standard, players have figured out that they are incentivized to stall if they know their table is next to break.
If you know me, the only thing I hate more than racks on the floor is players stalling to miss their big blind or for a pay jump.
I challenge that. Watch my video above for more explanation.
Randomizing table breaks
The system of breaking tables which is already being used in the PokerGO Studio, Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), and European Poker Tour (EPT) is the 'random table break order'.
This simply means that when you reach a predetermined number of tables, you no longer break by a set order, and instead do a random draw to determine which table is next to break.
I’m suggesting we initiate the random break when there are six tables remaining.
Tournament Director Association board member Paul Campbell discussed random break order during our past TDA Summit, and it seems to be a better process if you have tournaments with players stalling.
What do you think?
I’m also asking you, the players. Do you think we need to change to a random table-breaking order?
Please let me know in the comments below. I also ask that you can directly submit interesting situations and videos to me on my X account. Your question could be the next Savage Rules!
Matt Savage is the WPT Executive Tour Director, founder of the Tournament Directors Association, and a respected member of the poker community. Matt is a five-time GPI award winner and a nine-time Poker Hall of Fame nominee.
You can follow Matt on X. For more info, visit PokerTDA.com and WPT.com.
