New in 2008 - Monthly Bounty
Game plays as did before plus…
All players have the OPTION
to also play the bounty for $5 each (must be done BEFORE that start of play). They will be given a BOUNTY marker (a flat
coaster). The game plays as normal.
- If a bounty player is KNOCKED OUT of the game by
another bounty player, they get their marker to cash out at the end of the
game.
- If a bounty player is KNOCKED OUT by a non-bounty
player, the BOUNTY acts like a ‘skin’ in golf and goes to the next bounty
player who knocks out ANY player in the game (including another bounty
player).
- (NOTE1: If multiple tables are playing, ‘skin’
bounties can be awarded across tables to the next elimination hand that
starts – is dealt -- after the skin is declared.)
(NOTE2: Variations of this rule include that
skins only go to the next bounty-knocking-out-bounty situation – I prefer
this version which helps speed up play).
- Any ‘skins’ left over towards the end of the game
(not otherwise won) go to the last standing bounty player.
- In NO cases does a player not playing the BOUNTY
collect a BOUNTY.
- If a player collects a BOUNTY/BOUNTIES during the
game, and is knocked out, he/she only loses the BOUNTY they bought, not
any won during the game (this is not a winner-take-all).
- BIG CHANGE:
If a player wins the monthly tournament (AND PLAYED THE BOUNTY THAT
MONTH) then for any remaining months in the year they do not have to pay
the $5 for the end of year tourney (why keep paying for a tourney you’ve
already earned a seat?). Their extra
$5 over the $40 entry (they still have to bring $45) is an automatic
BOUNTY entry. THIS REWARDS THE
WINNER AND IS WHERE THE TERM “BOUNTY” COMES FROM AS TORNAMENT PLAYERS WANT
TO KNOCK OUT ALREADY-ESTABLISHED EOY SEAT HOLDERS.
- NOTE: In odd cases when multiple players get
knocked out in the same hand (i.e. side pots, etc), a BOUNTY player must
STILL BE STANDING after the hand to collect the bounty. Side-pots and who-beat-who elimination
order do not impact the BOUNTY if all BOUNTY players are eliminated by the
hand – these become ‘skins’.
- Players who leave without cashing in any
collected bounties (forget, leave mad, etc) forfeit the bounty to the
end-of-year pot. Please wait until
scheduled breaks between upping blinds to collect your bounties.
ADVANTAGES:
- Game is played in the ‘background’ of the normal
game – does not directly impact the monthly tourney.
- Rewards winners/multiple winners by not forcing
them to keep paying into the end of year tourney in which they have
already earned a seat.
- Encourages return of players who typically win a
seat and then don’t show up again until the end of year.
- Speeds up the game as ‘collecting a bounty’ may
push an all-in moment.
- Helps prevent the ‘ganging-up’ of seat-holders
late in the season of ‘protecting a seat’ in the final tourney (not that
this has been a huge problem).
Since monthly winners all will be in the bounty at that point, they
will be encouraged to knock each other out and collect their bounty.
- Rewards the unlucky ‘assassin’ in a monthly
tourney who knocks out most players but has bad luck in the end or
head-to-head. At least they get
something for their good gameplay.
- Easy to manage – buy bounty in beginning – cash
out at end – flat ‘coaster’ marker does not interfere with rest of the
game.
DISADVANTAGES
- Potential for slightly smaller end-of-year pot as
repeat-winners do not keep feeding the tourney – but offset by potential
for one-time winner-types to now return more often, forgotten bounties
donated to end-of-year pot, and potential for larger turnout for part-time
participants.