Following are the details needed for setting up and participating in the tournaments.

PokerStars, the leading website for online poker, provides the "engine" for these games. If you don't already have the PokerStars app, you will need to download and install the free software from www.pokerstars.net.

Once the app is installed and your PokerStars account set up, you will need to do the following:

Open the main PokerStars Lobby

Click on the Home Games tab (its in the right-hand column)

Click the green 'Join a Poker Club' button at left of screen

Enter the PokerStars Club ID number in the space provided: 3677904

Enter the club Invitation Code: Cardboard

Note that the above process is easy and only needs to be completed one time. As a member, you will then be able to instantly sign up for any scheduled game. Just go into Home Games, then highlight and register for the desired game under the "My Scheduled Tournaments" tab. Once registered, the game listing will change to red italic type to indicate your successful registration for the tournament. As long as you are logged into the PokerStars app, you will automatically be seated at a table when the tournament starts.

The Old Cardboard Poker Club (OCPC) Tournament Process

Currently, all tournaments at OCPC follow the same general format and structure. The Total Buy-In for each tournament is $11. Importantly, $10 of each buy-in is used directly to fund the prize pool for that tournament. The remaining $1 is used to help fund out-of-pocket costs, our annual New Year's Day Tournament and other club activities. There are no other fees for playing in any OCPC regular tournament.

Note that the "cash" prize pool for each tournament is separate and independent from the "play money" prize pool found in the PokerStars tournament lobby. Also note that PokerStars requres 20,000 play money chips to register for each tournament. These chips can be accumulated (15,000 at a time) by tapping the green "Free Chips" button at the top of the Pokerstars home page as often as every four hours.

The payout schedule for the OCPC tournaments is provided here or by selecting the "Payouts" link in the nav bar found on each page of the OCPC website.

Each tournament player begins with a 5,000-chip starting stack. Blinds start at 15 and 30 chips. Late registration is allowed up to 20 minutes after the tournament begins.

I will collect the Tournament Entries and distribute the prize pool to the winners, which will be posted in the PokerStars tournament lobby and on the OCPC website.

I ask that all buy-ins be processed via Venmo to @Lyman-Hardeman before the game starts. If that does not work for you, let me know beforehand and I'll work with you to make temporary arrangements to help get you started.

Also note that the prize pool for each tournament is based on the number of registered players as reported by PokerStars. All players that register for a tournament but do not play are responsible for the entry fee. If you have registered and plans change so that you cannot play, simply "Unregister" at any time before the game starts and you will be removed from the tournament player list.

When asked by Venmo what the payment is for, please answer "Cardboard" or some other non-poker-related term. Also, please leave the slider button on Venmo labeled "Turn on for Purchases" in the off (default) position when transfering funds. Otherwise, Venmo will deduct a commission for the transaction.

Meet and Chat Live During the Game

To help maintain a "Home Game" feel to the tournaments, we will set up Zoom "meetings" to coincide with each tournament. To join these optional meetings, you will need to set up and log into your free Zoom account (it's very easy).

Once your Zoom app is set up, select "Join," enter the Zoom Meeting ID (574 679 8976), enter the Meeting Passcode (123456), then follow the prompts to go live. Alternatively, just click here to go directly to the Zoom meeting.

Tournament Etiquette

This goes without saying...but let's say it anyway:

1) Please avoid comments or language (both at the table and on Zoom) that may be offensive to fellow players.
2) On Zoom, please mute your microphone or wear headphones if playing your radio, TV, music, talking on phone, etc.

Questions? Just Ask

If you have questions about any of the above, please ask. I can be reached via email (editor@oldcardboard.com) or phone or text at 512-466-5358.