Hand for Hand refers to a specific procedure in poker tournaments that requires all tables to finish their current hand before advancing to the next one in the tournament.
This process typically occurs just before reaching the bubble stage, ensuring fairness and preventing any unethical strategies (like deliberately delaying actions in an attempt to slip through the bubble unnoticed).
Without implementing Hand for Hand, it would be challenging to accurately assess the finishing positions of players who are eliminated around the same time.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the following topics -
What is the purpose of Hand for Hand in Poker Tournaments?
Hand for Hand is crucial for accurately ranking players at the end of a tournament. Additionally, it acts as a deterrent against certain dubious practices. In tournaments lacking this format, players might be inclined to run down their time bank deliberately, hoping to evade the bubble without jeopardizing their chips.
How are finishes determined in Hand for Hand Poker?
In instances where two players are eliminated simultaneously during the same 'hand' (regardless of whether they are at different tables), the player who had the smaller stack at the time of being eliminated is deemed to have finished first. The precise moment of busting is irrelevant since all tables are engaged in the same 'hand'. In a regular format (not using Hand for Hand), the order of elimination is dictated by the timing of when players go broke.
When does Hand for Hand take place in Poker Tournaments?
Hand for Hand becomes applicable particularly when approaching significant payout increases or when players are on the bubble itself. This is vital for ensuring the accurate ranking of players at these critical tournament junctures. During other phases of the tournament, the precise order of finishers is generally less important in terms of payout implications. Hand for Hand is only necessary when multiple tables are still active; it loses its relevance at the final table as only one hand can be played at a time.
Summary
The Hand for Hand format is unique to poker tournaments and is imperative for determining the order of finishes accurately, especially when there are significant jumps in prize payouts. It may be beneficial to review the current standings during these times and adjust strategy accordingly to align with the upcoming bubble or payout increase.