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.