Calcutta Auctions in Pool Tournaments, Explained
A Calcutta is an auction held before a tournament, where bidders "buy" players. When the tournament ends, the Calcutta pot is paid to the owners of the players who finished in the money. It adds a lot of excitement to bigger events.
How the auction works
- Players' names are auctioned one at a time, often the strongest players first.
- Anyone in the room can bid. The highest bidder owns that player for the Calcutta.
- All winning bids go into the Calcutta pot.
Buying back half
In many Calcuttas the player can buy back half of themselves from the winning bidder, at half the winning price. It lets players share in their own result.
How the pot is paid
The pot is usually paid on the same places as the tournament, often with a bigger share to the winner, for example 40% / 25% / 15% / 10% / 5% / 5% for the top six. Some events take a small percentage for the organizer or the room — announce it before the auction.
Run it smoothly
- Post the rules before the auction: minimum bids, buy-back rules, payout percentages and when money is due.
- Collect money as you go, not after the tournament.
- Keep a clear written record of every owner and price.
Our free online Calcutta tool lets everyone bid from their phone and works out the payouts for you.
Important: Calcutta auctions are treated differently from place to place. Check your local and state laws before running one. Billiard Action Time does not take, hold or pay out money.