Hudson Valley Poker League (HVPL) Rules

Season IV

League Duration – The league shall be comprised of 15 dates (all Wednesdays) over 19 weeks.  If any game is cancelled for any reason (snow, an upset spouse, etc.), there may be a ‘make up’ date to be announced.

Weekly Tournament Structure – Each player will start with 2,500-4,000 chips based on the event and play down until there is a winner.  Players may chop any weekly prize amounts, but not chop points with another league player. 

Players earn weekly prizes plus points based on their finish (charts listed later).  For Season IV, we have continued our three-tiered structure of events to keep players in the league completion longer:

NL85 – Players start with 2,500 chips, first two levels are 20 minutes, remaining levels are 15 minutes.  No 75-150 level.  Points multiplying factor (see chart at end of rules), X1.

NL105 – Players start with 3,000 chips, first two levels are 20 minutes, remaining levels are 15 minutes.  Added 75-150 level.  Points multiplying factor X1.5.

NL125  – Players start with 3,500 chips, first two levels are 20 minutes, 75-150 level kept. Points multiplying factor X2.

NL135 – (Season Finale) players start with 4,000 chips, all levels 20 minutes.  Multiplying factor X2.5.

25-50                               150-300 (25)                   600-1200(100)

50-100                             200-400(50)                    800-1600 (200)

75-150 (only in 105/125)       300-600(75)                    1000-2000 (200)

100-200                           400-800(100)                  1500-3000 (300)

There will be a couple of built in 10 minute breaks after level 6 but the clocks will keep on running.  Regular Tournament Director's Association & Robert’s Rules of Poker rules apply.  Players will be able to buy-in for the first three levels only.  Players that call beforehand and request being blinded off will be chipped off and considered entered into that tournament.  Should those players not show, they will be debited 20-30 Joker Points to be reinstated to the league (portion of weekly entry fee going to year end).

Maximum Number of starting entrants weekly - because we have other dedicated games weekly (NL & Omaha), please keep in mind we can only accommodate a maximum of 20 players to start a tournament weekly.  The first 20 players in attendance will have their spots held for them.  If you would like to pre-pay your entry for the following week to ensure your seat is locked up, you may do so.  Otherwise, the first 20 in attendance shall start the tournament.  As players bust out, we can accept alternates (through level 3, or approximately 8:10pm).

Payout Structure, Points -

 * 7th place points are 1 and 2 for the 15-20 and 21-30 respectively

Multiplying Factors:  85 Joker Point tournaments will have a point multiplying factor of X1, the 105 Joker Point Tournaments will have a multiplying factor of X1.5 and the last five a multiplying factor of X2.  The Year-end (135 Joker Point Tournament) will have a multiplying factor of X2.5.  All players will accrue one point per week they play in addition to any points they earn by ‘placing’ (mulitplying factors apply here too).

General Tournament Rules – By joining the league, each player is signing up to support the league.  Without solid league participation, the league will not work.  Should a player elect to play a league event as a league player, any future event they play will be under the same umbrella (ie. they must register for the tournament as a league player).  The rules set-forth in this section as well as all sections are subject to change based on what’s best for the league’s interest.

The top FIVE point-accumulators will earn tournament entry fees (plus possible cash on top) which must be used within four months of the league ending or players will forfeit their entry fees earned for that season. 


Tie-breaker(s) - should there be two players tied,, a heads-up play off will take place for that spot.  The winner will get 2/3 of the tournament entry, and the runner-up 1/3 of the tournament entry (ie., 750 seat, then 500 and 250) with the runner up being eligible for 4th place 'points' entering year end tournament.  Should there be three or more players tie for the last spot, there will be a three-way/four-way, playoff, with first taking 2/3 of the tournament entry, and second taking 1/3.

Minimum and Maximum Tournaments Played – In order to qualify for the league prize pool, you must play in a minimum of six tournaments.  Players may still play in weekly tournaments but will not qualify for any league sharing nor the year end prize pools. 

Players may play in all 15 events, however, only the best TEN finishes will count towards the year end standings.  This rewards top notch quality play rather than quantitative play.  It also takes into consideration that not all players can play every tournament, yes, even the tournament directors.

League Prizes – the top FIVE places will be paid out; structure as follows:

1^st Place – 27.5%

2^nd Place – 22.5%

3^rd Place – 17.5%

4^th Place – 12.5%

5^th Place – 7.5%

…of the overall prize pool, with 12.5% being held back to pay 6th through 10th places consolation cash.

Use of Prizes/League Participant Share – Winners must use their prizes within four months of the date of the official win.  Not doing so will result in forfeiture of the prize which will go right back to the league’s next season’s prize pool.  Winners must enter tournaments equaling their entry fee, but can split up the entry fees into multiple entries for multiple tournaments.  Winners must use at least 80% of their prizes for these tournaments, and overages may be pocketed.  Tournament receipts are required back to the club for reimbursement unless seats are purchased through www.ptseats.com beforehand.  You must inform the league of which event(s) you will be playing in BEFORE you play them via email.  

If a winner wins any monies while playing these tournaments, the Club’s finishers will benefit (provided they’ve played in a minimum of four weeks of tournaments) as follows: winner gets 80% of winnings post-tax, and the remaining 20% is split up among other qualifying league members (qualifying means playing in at least four league events).

Winner MAY elect to take a cash option of 66.7% of their total winnings in lieu of playing in casino tournaments.  League director discretion how balance used either to other league players or placed into next year's prize pool.

                                      

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?  We are in the Mid-Hudson Valley.  We’re easily accessible from Northwestern Connecticut, Northern Westchester, Putnam, and Southern Dutchess counties.  We're about 40-60 minutes from Southern Westchester, Orange, Northern Dutchess and Rockland Counties.  We'd put the exact address on here, but wait...that'd be kind of dumb now wouldn't it?  Once you've been screened and have been legitimized as a true player and someone interested in the game, we can fill you in and provide you a double-secret password to get into the game.

Is there any cost to play?  Yes, ranging from 85-135.
Why the limited information?  Really, are you asking this?  There’s a lot of stuff here, probably 97.49% of the information you need to know on this site.  It's kind of like going on a first date and asking your prospective mate how much they weigh, how many kids they want, and what they like for breakfast.  That and well, if you're serious about playing in this league and competing in it as a poker player, you'll leave us your name, location, phone number and email address.  What have you got to lose?  Whatever it is, we've got just as much if not more to lose - multiply that by the crazies out there.  To be serious, we're trying to keep our game(s) secure, friendly, and private.  This is fun stuff and we want to keep it that way.

Types of players in your games?  Go to the mall on a Saturday afternoon and look around.  You'll see attorneys, plumbers, real estate people, cops, firemen, judges, construction workers, employed and unemployed people, neighbors, college students, etc.  It takes all types to have a poker game.  You'll see that in our games.  There are all walks.  The common theme is poker and poker players can be nice and poker players can be not-so-nice.  That's the reality of it, but both games strive for friendliness.  For the most part, let's just say there are no professionals, no sharks, players that know the game, and well,....players that 'think' they know the game.

What is your set up like, number of players?  Trust me, a great set up!  Non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and cash game spread after.  There is a high-hand bonuses as well.  On any given night there could be just one full table up to four full tables.  Capacity for four full tables, or forty players max however.  For league tournaments, max 20 players to start and we will take alternates.

Do you have dealers - Yes, we have well trained dealers who get in as many hands per hour as possible.  Keep in mind should you play that all dealers work on gratuities.  Should you win a tournament, please take care of the dealers.

May I bring a friend - Once you have been screened and approved to attend these games, you may be allowed to bring a friend or two provided they come with you and have been pre-approved by the location providing the game.  There is no wiggle room on this.  Unannounced visitors provide a risk and threat to everyone at the game much like someone crashing a party.  They're likely harmless, but you probably wouldn't bring a friend to someone else's party without asking....would you?  Simply call and/or email ahead for approval.  The games usually have some sort of incentive to bring your friends anyway.

Other questions - simply email and/or call.  Fill out the Contact Form with link above.  We'll get back with you ASAP!