A tournament is exactly the same as any other typical game of poker, only with certain clear differences. The following are a list of tournament characteristics. This will help you to understand what a tournament is and how it differs from an ordinary and typical game of poker.

1. The number one point to keep in mind about a tournament is that the goal behind it is to win the chips of all the players. The tournament carries on till the time one player wins all the chips.

2. It is possible for a player to win massive amounts of money for a tiny starting buy-in. The amount of money that can be won is according to the tournament in which the person is playing. However, the stakes can go as high as the tens of thousands. After every participant has been registered, the total in terms of the pay off is typically displayed somewhere inside the tournament.

3. You do not get any money in terms of winnings unless you figure somewhere in the top prize places. Every tournament will put up a list with regards to which places will receive win money. The positions that win money differ according to the kind of tournament as well as according to how many players are playing in the tournament.

4. All the players begin with an equal number of chips. Typically the number of chips played with is in the range of $1000 to $1500 in chips.

5. The tournament blinds are not constant. When it comes to an ordinary game of poker, the blinds stay the same, regardless of the time span for which you play. However, in the case of tournaments the blinds get increased to ensure action. This results in players being eliminated till the time only one player remains.