Single Table Tournaments...

Single Table Tournaments (STTs) are played in exactly the same way as a cash game, but the purpose is to be last man standing! Table sizes are usually six or nine players and every tournament has a value - the amount that each player contributes to the pot at the beginning of the game - for example £5 or £3. In addition to this there will be a house fee, normally of around 10% of the buy-in. This fee is fairly standard across poker rooms, both online and off. For example your total buy-in will be £5 + £0.50.

Simply choose a game that you feel comfortable playing in and register for the tournament. When all the seats at the table have been occupied the game starts, so make sure you don't leave your seat for too long or you might miss the beginning!

As every player has contributed the same amount to the pot all will be given the same number of chips to play with e.g. 2,000 chips to start the game - this chip amount can vary from poker room to poker room. Quite simply - when you have lost all your chips, you're out. The pot is then split between the last 3 players.

Winner - 50%, Second - 30%, Third - 20%. In a nine table game this equates to £22.50, £13.50 and £9. Also remember that in 6 player tables pay-out is generally only given to first and second place!

Note when you are registering for the tournament that the prize may not be cash. Single Table Tournaments can also act as feeder - or "Satellite" - tournaments for bigger events. For example, you may win a place in a bigger Multi Table Tournament, and a chance to play for big money!

Good Luck!