Follow the tournament ladder
Each week a friendly poker tournament plays out on chips with no value, and the only thing at stake is a name on the board.
A ladder with nothing riding on it but pride
The tournament ladder is our name for the Friday-night poker competition. Everyone starts with the same stack of chips, and players drop out as their chips run down until a single person is left standing. It takes about two and a half hours, with supper beforehand, and finishes with a final that draws a crowd to the rail.
There is no entry fee, no buy-in and no prize of any kind: no money, no vouchers, no certificates and no choice of table next time. The winner is Champion of the night, their name goes on the chalkboard at the top of the stairs, and a small brass cup sits by their elbow until closing, then goes back on the mantel where it lives.
Anyone aged 18 or over can enter. You'll find the tournament is a good way to learn, because the pace is kind and the dealers are generous with explanations. Come hungry, sit down and have a go.
“Megan runs the table so gently you forget you're being taught. I finished second last time and never felt rushed, even though I still can't remember which hand beats which.”
Getting to the table
Put your name down
Tell Olivia at the door, or tick the box on the booking form, and we'll add you to the list. Nothing is paid and nothing is owed; the list just tells Megan how many seats to set.
Sit down to supper
Eat first. Dinner is served from five, and the kitchen is happy to time your courses so you're finished by half past seven. A good meal is the best preparation for poker.
Collect your chips
At about eight, Megan hands out the same number of chips to every player. They have no cash value, and they're only ever used for the evening's tournament.
Draw for a seat
Seats are drawn from a hat, so no one chooses their neighbour. If you're new to the game and a little nervous, tell Megan beforehand and she will keep an eye on your table all evening.
Hear the house rules
Before the first hand, Megan runs through the order of play, the blinds and how breaks work. She says it twice, slowly, and answers any question without a hint of impatience.
Play the first level
Each level lasts twenty minutes. The blinds go up at the end of each one, which keeps the tournament moving and lets everyone see what they'd do with a slightly bigger stack.
Tournament questions
Is it really free to enter?
Yes. There's no entry fee and no buy-in, and nobody takes a cut of anything. The chips are lent for the evening and counted back at the end. We run the ladder because it's fun to watch a table of friends concentrate.
What if I'm knocked out early?
Then supper's probably still warm. Plenty of guests drift to the roulette wheel or the blackjack tables, or just cheer on the final table from the edge of the room with a pot of tea and a lamington.
Do you run the ladder every Friday?
Most weeks, yes, unless a private evening has taken the room. The weekly rota page shows the usual shape of the week, and a call to the house will tell you whether the ladder is on.
From the first hand to the cup
Break after three levels
After an hour there's a ten-minute break. Stretch your legs, take the air on the verandah, top up your tea and have a nose at who is doing well on the other table.
Tables are combined
As players are knocked out, we merge tables so everyone has company. Megan moves the chips across and calls the new seat numbers, and nobody has to hunt for their spot.
Short stacks get a chance
Players with few chips left often turn out to be the most dangerous at the table, because they have nothing to lose. It's one of the happier lessons of the ladder.
The final table forms
When six players remain, the last table is set under the brightest lamp. Spectators gather round, the dealers change, and the room goes quiet enough to hear a chip drop.
Heads up
The last two players face each other across the baize while everyone else watches. Hands are dealt slowly so the crowd can follow, and the whole room usually has a favourite.
Crown the champion
Megan announces the Champion of the night, Todd chalks the name on the board, and the brass cup is placed beside the winner for a photo before it goes back to its shelf.