How to Start a Weekly Pool Tournament at Your Bar or Pool Room
A weekly tournament can fill tables on a slow night, bring in regulars and build a local pool scene. The rooms that do it well keep it simple, start on time and treat players fairly. Here's a plan that works.
1. Pick the night and the time
- Choose a night that is slow for your room but isn't the same night as a big event nearby. Check what's already running in your area on our tournament listings.
- Start early enough to finish before closing. A 7 pm start with sign-ups closing at 7:15 works for most bars.
- Keep the same night every week. Players plan around a routine.
2. Choose the game and format
- 8-Ball draws the widest crowd in bars; 9-Ball appeals to stronger players in pool rooms.
- Double elimination is what most players expect. With 12–24 players and a few tables, short races (race to 2 or 3) keep the night on schedule. See tournament formats.
- Consider a handicap or a chip format so newer players have a real chance. They'll come back.
3. Set the money
- A common weekly setup is a $10 to $20 entry, with a few dollars per player kept as a greens fee for table time.
- Added money, even a small amount, makes your event stand out. Many rooms add money from the bar.
- Pay out about one place for every eight players. The payout calculator does the math.
- Post the payout before the first match.
4. Run it smoothly
- Print a bracket and fill it in with a random draw. Post it where everyone can see.
- Have one person in charge who knows the rules and makes the calls.
- Post the rules on the wall: which rule set, the race, 8 on the break, who racks. See bar rules vs. tournament rules.
- Keep matches moving: send players to tables as soon as they're open.
5. Get players to show up
- Post your tournament on Billiard Action Time, free. It gets its own page and share graphic, shows up on your city and state pages, and players can get alerts for it.
- Post a flyer in local pool Facebook groups every week, the day before.
- Put a flyer by the register and on the tables.
- Talk to the local league players. One league team can fill half a bracket.
6. Keep them coming back
- Start on time, every time.
- Pay out right away and correctly.
- Run a drink or food special for players.
- Try a monthly bigger event: a scotch doubles night, a ladies' event, or extra added money.
More detail in how to run a pool tournament and pool tournament payouts.