How to Run a Poker Tournament: Part 3, Running the Game and Recording Results

Welcome to the third and final instalment of this guide to making your poker game the best it can be. We’ve covered planning, equipment, venue setup, registration and seating. Now it’s time to run the game.

This is where all that preparation pays off, with Shuffle Up and Deal! (SUAD) helping you manage eliminations, table moves, the final table and the results.

Starting your poker tournament

We’ve made it. The seating draw is done, the clock is on the screen and everyone is ready to play. Check that the tables are ready, remind players of any key announcements, then start the clock.

It’s time to shuffle up and deal!

Recording eliminations and knockouts

Once the game is running, SUAD takes care of much of the tournament administration. One of your main jobs is to record players as they’re eliminated, keeping the player count, finishing positions and seating information up to date.

Open the Players tab and find the player who has been knocked out. Select their name to bring up the available actions, then choose Eliminate.

Check you have the right player before confirming. Recording eliminations promptly helps keep the tournament information accurate and allows the app to identify when table moves are needed.

If you’re using the elimination overlay on your external display, players can see who has gone out and their finishing position.

One of my favourite features is knockout tracking. When enabled, you can record who got the KO, with the selection focused on players at that table rather than making you search through the whole field.

Balancing tables as players are eliminated

Players won’t always be eliminated evenly across the room. If one table loses more players than the others, SUAD can prompt you when a move is needed to keep the table sizes reasonably balanced.

This doesn’t mean every table must have exactly the same number of players at all times. The aim is to avoid an unnecessary imbalance as the tournament progresses.

Follow the balancing prompt and confirm the requested button position for the next hand at the table supplying the player. Getting this right matters because it helps the app identify who should move.

SUAD then identifies the player to move and shows the available destination seats. Follow the seating guidance and the rules being used for your tournament, rather than simply choosing whichever empty chair is closest.

Make sure the player knows their new table and seat, and coordinate the move between hands. Confirm it in the app so the seating information stays accurate.

Breaking tables as the field gets smaller

Balancing moves players between tables that remain open. Breaking a table closes it completely and moves its remaining players to seats elsewhere.

SUAD makes this much easier to organise. You can choose which table you want to break next or leave the selection to the app.

When the remaining players can fit on fewer tables, a prompt will appear. When you’re ready, open it to review the new seating assignments.

Let the table finish its current hand, explain where everyone is going and work through the confirmations. Check that players have reached their assigned seats before completing the move.

Just like that, you’ve broken a table without having to work out every destination yourself.

Organising the final table

You’re getting towards the business end of the tournament, and it’s time to bring the remaining players together.

SUAD prompts you when it’s time to organise the final table. Follow the final-table process, with the clock paused while you complete the seating draw and get everyone settled.

This draw feels a little more special. With just one table being drawn, the seating animation on the external display lets everyone see where they’ll be playing.

Before restarting the clock, check that everyone is in the correct seat with their chips and that the table is ready. It’s also a good moment to remind players of the remaining payouts.

Recording payouts and final-table deals

The last few players are battling it out, and you’re reaching the paid places. Keep recording eliminations carefully so the finishing order stays correct.

Any agreed final-table deals or bubble payments can be recorded in the Money tab. You can make adjustments manually or use the available payout options to help.

Make sure everyone affected understands and agrees to a deal before recording it. Check that the revised amounts add up to the available prize pool, and keep a clear record of what has actually been paid.

Announcing the winner and completing the tournament

You’ve recorded the runner-up’s elimination, and that’s it: you have a winner!

The winner announcement on the external display gives the evening a proper finish and lets everyone share the moment.

SUAD gives you a recap in the Tournament Tape, and for a tournament linked to a league, the results feed into the league standings.

Before packing away, take a moment to check the final results, payouts and any league points. It’s much easier to spot and resolve a mistake while the night is still fresh in everyone’s mind.

Your running-the-game checklist

• Check that every table is ready before starting the clock.

• Record eliminations promptly and check the correct player is selected.

• Record knockout credit if you’re tracking KOs.

• Respond to table-balancing prompts and confirm moves accurately.

• Review seating assignments before breaking a table.

• Keep players informed about table and seat changes.

• Complete the final-table draw and check everyone is ready before restarting.

• Record agreed payout changes and check the prize-pool total.

• Confirm the final finishing order and payments.

• Review the tournament summary and any linked league standings.

And that’s the full journey, from planning your structure to announcing your winner. A little preparation and accurate updates throughout the night give you more time to focus on the players and enjoy the game yourself.

See you at the tables!