Today is the first day of the 2019 World Cup of Cards, and the festival is starting with a first at Playground – the Tag Team Event. It’s a snowy, blustery day outside – all the more reason to get out of the cold and take your seat at a poker table!
First, you ask? You’re right – this is a long way from the first Tag Team event we’ve hosted. But this is the first time this super-popular format has appeared in a major festival here at Playground. Over the years this has proven to be one of the most popular events we host. It almost always sells out, and the “team” aspect of the tourney adds a buzz to the room that’s only found during the biggest events at the club.
The formula for the Tag Team at Playground is simple: players register in teams of 2 players each, but then play the first 6 levels as an individual. After level 6, there is a full seating redraw, and each team takes one seat at their new table, merging the two stacks into one (hopefully larger) stack that will be used to continue the tournament. For the rest of the tournament, teammates alternate, switching at the beginning of each new level.
While one team member is playing, he or she can only consult with a partner during a hand by using a “consultation chip” – and each team only gets three of these to start. Teams can accumulate additional consultation chips by eliminating their competition – one extra chip for each team eliminated.
Action gets underway in just minutes in the Tournament Hall – good luck to all of the teams that participate today!
