Hudson Valley Poker League (HVPL) Rules

League Duration – The league shall be comprised of 16 dates (Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons).  If any game is cancelled for any reason (snow, an upset spouse, etc.), there may be a ‘make up’ date to be announced, but not limited to midweek.

Weekly Tournament Structure – Each player will start with (2,500, 3,000, 3,500) in chips, with the levels varying (20 minute rounds first 3 levels and then 15 minutes thereafter for the first five tournaments, 20 minutes (first 5 levels) and then 15 minute levels the next five, and 20 minutes all levels for the last five events) (75-150 round added back in during week six) and the following blind schedule:

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

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

75-150 (only in 110/130)            300-600 (75)                       1000-2000 (200)

100-200                                 400-800 (100)                     1500-3000 (300)  (tournament discretion after)

There will be a couple of built in 10 minute breaks but the clocks will keep on running.  Regular Tournament Director's Association Rules apply.  Players will be able to buy-in for the first three levels (and through the 1st break) only.  Players that call before and request being chipped will be chipped off and considered entered into the tournament.  Should those players not show, they will be charged a $25 league fee to be reinstated to the league (portion of weekly entry fee going to year end).

Payout Structure, Points -

 * must be leauge players regarding points.

Multiplying Factors:  NL90 tournaments will have a point multiplying factor of X1, the NL110 will have a multiplying factor of X1.5 and the last five a multiplying factor of X2.  The NL150 Year-end 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 three point-accumulators will earn tournament entry fees (plus possible cash on top) which must be used within three months of the league ending or players will forfeit their entry fees earned for that season.  Fourth and fifth place possibilities exist should the league accrue enough revenues. 

Tie-breaker(s) - should there be two players tied for the last spot, 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., if $1,500 seat, then $1,000 and $500) 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.  The remaining player(s) will simply earn extra chips for the year-end tournament.  This will be a self-deal tournament done two hours prior to the year end tournament.  Players will start with 2,000 in chips.  Should a player be unable to make this sudden death tourney, players will agree on an alternative time BEFORE this scheduled tournament.

Minimum and Maximum Tournaments Played – In order to qualify for the league prize pool, you must play in a minimum of four tournaments.  Players may still play in weekly tournaments (one, two, or three) but will not qualify for any league sharing nor the year end prize pools.  Players declaring early on they do not want to be part of the league or participate in league may still play in the tournament but will not accrue any points.  They may take $10 off the weekly buy-ins (provided they have not played in a league event as a league player prior to this tournament). 

Bonus - Also, as an added bonus, those players playing in at least SIX of the league events will be eligible for a free HVPL league shirt upon buying into their sixth tournament.  You may also receive a league T upon winning any weekly league event provided you're a league member.  T-shirts will be ordered after week six.

Players may play in all 16 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 and prize pools to be determined and subject to change once posted.

Use of Prizes/League Participant Share – Winners must use their prizes within three 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.  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 next 10 finishers will benefit (provided they’ve played in a minimum of four  weeks of tournaments) as follows – 20% of post tax winnings, with 20% going to the other ‘placed’ winners (1^st/2^nd/3^rd), and the remaining 60% straight to the person that played in the tournament (again, post tax dollars).  Monies won are due back to the club within one week of a cash to disburse back to the club.



                                                                    Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?  We are in the Mid-Hudson Valley on the east side of the river off of I-84.  We have two locations, both within 3-5 miles off of the interstate and easily traveled to from 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.

What are the buy-ins?  90, 110 and 130.

Why the limited information?  Really, are you asking this?  Ok, first off, we've provided 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.  You gotta keep a little mystery.  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?  Both locations have excellent set ups.  Both locations serve food and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and both have their own separate cash games run per their owners.  There are high-hand bonuses and a bad-beat jackpot.  On any given night there could be just one full table up to two full tables.  Each has capacity for three full tables, or thirty players max however.

Do you have dealers - Yes, both of our locations 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, a 5-10% gratuity is appreciated by the dealers, while in the cash games, a buck a hand is acceptable for small to mid-sized pots and up from there - of course based on how friendly and courteous the dealers are.  For additional guidance on this please ask.

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.  Both games will remain secure.  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!