The Basics: Print This Page
  • You Go to a local bar hosting a Pioneer Poker Night (See Locations)
  • Sign In, register with league if you want to earn points, or simply play.
  • Two No Limit Texas hold'em Tournaments are played nightly. Start times are listed on the Locations page. (Please arrive 30min early to Sign In)
  • Each has a winner and places 1-10 earn points based on the POINT SCALE
  • Each season runs 4 months with 3 seasons a year. Play as often as you want and wherever there is a bar with Pioneer Poker. Just being there gets you some points.
  • Top 104 Qualify for Local Playoffs. (Ex: Southeast, MI)
    Higher RANK = More Chips for Playoffs (Tournament of Champions)
It's That simple: Play with friends at the Bar ALL FOR FREE. To Enter the League all we need is your name and email either online or at an event. ENJOY!!!

The Specifics:
  • Players each start with $3850 in chips. We play until there is one winner.
  • Starts promptly at stated time. Usually runs about 2.5 hours.
  • Normal No Limit Texas Hold’Em rules apply. (see details below)
Blinds:
  • < 1-3 Tables: Blinds raised every 17 minutes
  • 4-5 Tables: Blinds raised every 15 minutes
  • > 5 Tables: Blinds raised every 12 minutes
Blinds Amounts:
  • 25/50 —> 50/100 —> 100/200 —> Color up all 25/50 chips
  • 200/400—> 400/800—> 500/1,000—> Color up all 100/500 chips
  • 1,000/2,000—> 2,000/4,000—> 4,000/8,000—> Color up all 1,000 chips
  • 5,000/10,000 —> 10,000/20,000 until game is over
Pioneer Point Scale - Nightly Winners:
15 Points for playing, regardless of where you finish
  • 1st = 100 * Number of tables
  • 2nd = 75 * Number of tables
  • 3rd = 60 * Number of tables
  • 4th = 50 * Number of tables
  • 5th = 40 * Number of tables
  • 6th = 30 * Number of tables
  • 7th = 25 * Number of tables
  • 8th = 20 * Number of tables
  • 9th = 15 * Number of tables
  • 10th = 10 * Number of tables

  • If >8 tables:
  • 11th = 6 * Number of tables
  • 12th = 3 * Number of tables
Win-based Final Scoring
  • Your Total Score is adjusted by a "Win Percentage". This percentage is based on the number of points you earn vs the total number of points that were available for you to win. (Think of this like a "Batting Average")
  • Any Bonus points you earn are added directly to your final score
  • Example: If you played 4 games, each with 4 tables.
    -There were 1600 points available (4*4*100).
    -If you placed 3rd in each game, you earn 60 points *4 tables *4 games = 960.
    -Your percentage = 960/1600=60%.
    -The percentage is then applied to these points (60%*960=576).
    -Your additional bonus points are added (15 points per game minimum = 60).
    -Final score = 636.
Mini-Tournament:
When enough players go out to free up a table, a second game is started for the losers. It is based upon interest, but usually a ton of people want it.
  • Only tables playing by Pioneer Poker Rules will be award points.
  • Re-Buys are NOT allowed
  • When a spot opens up, another person can join
  • Players from the Top Ten in the main tournament may not play
  • A player who arrives too late for the main tournament IS eligible for points.
  • Blinds stay at 25/50 and are not raised
  • This is usually a very fun table
  • A great place for beginners to learn!
Final Tournament:
Top 104 players from the Season will play (Alternate seats will be given away)
  • Starting Chip Count will be posted here.
Rules and Guidelines:
Sign In:
  • All players must sign-in in order to play.
    • League registration is not required to play, but is necessary to collect points.
  • Sign in begins 1 hour prior to game time.
  • A player may join tournament up to 25 minutes late, (before 2nd blind raise)
  • Late players (including those who have called ahead) will receive chips when they arrive and will pay the big blind to begin. Their chips will not be put into play until they arrive.
  • Players must write their full name legibly in order to receive points.
Bonuses:
  • In order to receive Referral Bonus Points, new players must fill out registration form and list referrer's name.
  • Food Bonus Chips are available at each tournament:
    • Must be redeemed before the second chip color up.
    • $5min =$500 chip, $10min =$1000 chip, $15min =$1500 chips, $500 chip for each additional $5 spent. $3000 food chips is the maximum bonus.
    • Must be verified by receipt, tab, waitress, or food ticket.
During Play:
  • Dealer is selected by drawing for highest card
    • In the event of a tie, the highest suit is used
    • Order of suits: Clubs (lowest) -> Diamonds -> Hearts -> Spades (highest)
  • If a card is exposed during the deal, the card becomes the first Burn Card, and that player is skipped in the deal and then dealt the last card
  • When a player goes out:
    • If future Small Blind is lost = One Big Blind
    • If future Dealer is lost = Dead Button, deal does not move
    • If future Big Blind is lost = Blinds move as normal
  • When player(s) must move tables:
    • Play must stop when only 4 players remain (unless only 2 tables left)
    • The last dealer and player(s) to the right will move
    • Players joining a new table will be seated to the right of the dealer
    • If 3 or more players are joining another table, the deal will be re-established.
    Final table:
    • When 8 players remain, the Final Table will be created.
    • Seats will be randomly assigned by drawing cards.
    • The deal will be re-established by high card drawn.
    • The Tournament Director will deal the remainder of the game once 7 players remain.
Betting:
  • Initial bet must be a minimum of the Big Blind
  • Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round.
    • Example, if the first player to act bets $5 then the second player must raise a minimum of $5 (total bet of $10).
  • Maximum 3 raises
  • Once raise is declared, amount must be specified- No string betting
  • Players may go All-In at any time, even if it is for less than the total bet- A side pot is created
  • Bets must be placed in front of each player until the round of betting is complete- No splashing the pot
  • Bets must be made in clockwise order- No betting out of turn
  • None, One, or Both of the cards in a players hand may play
    • The best 5-card hand wins.
    • The board may have the best hand, which would result in a split pot.
  • Split pots with an odd number of chips- The lowest denomination chip stays in the pot for the next hand.
  • When any card touches the Muck it is deemed to have been folded.
  • If all players fold to the "Better", he may choose to muck his cards and take the pot.
  • Showdown: All players still in the hand show their cards, starting with the last person to bet. At any point after this player showed his cards other players in the showdown may muck their hand.
    • In any showdown, BOTH cards must be shown in order to win a pot.
** Pioneer Poker League is FREE and is a Limited Liability Corporation. Please Contact Us for more information. **
Pioneer Administration