IPA 2024 – 2025 Tournament Details
Overview
36 teams play for the IPA title. Teams are divided into six groups of six during the regular season consisting of five matches. Teams field five players for a match. Five six-handed tables run simultaneously. At the end of each match, points will be rewarded based on one’s finish. The top two teams from each group move onto the IPA playoffs. Six wildcards, determined by the overall next best scores, will play for the last four playoff spots. Teams are split into four groups of four during the playoffs consisting of three matches. Teams with higher regular season placements will receive preferable seeding for the playoffs. The top team from each playoff group move onto the IPA Finals. All table info and match details will be sent by email shortly before the start of each match.
Teams
TBD
IPA Prize pool
Total equity: $TBD USD
1st: $TBD USD
2nd: $TBD USD
3rd: $TBD USD
4th: $TBD USD
Rules
1 Definitions
1.1 Range of Validity
The Intercollegiate Poker Association 2024-2025 Tournament (“IPA”) is operated as part of the Intercollegiate Poker Association®. These are the only rules which are valid for the IPA, its participants and all matches played within the scope of the IPA. With one’s participation, the participant understands and accepts all terms and conditions and rules.
1.2 Identity
The game played for all IPA matches will be No-Limit Texas Hold’em.
2 General
2.1 Acknowledgement
By participating in any of the Intercollegiate Poker Association®’s events, the participant acknowledges all rules and agreements.
2.2 Rule Changes
The organizers of the IPA reserves the right to amend, remove, or otherwise change the rules without further notice. The organizers of the IPA also reserves the rights to make judgement on cases not specifically covered in the ruling in order to preserve the spirit of fair competition and sportsmanship.
3 IPA Tournament Rules
3.1 Definitions
A “Game” is an individual No-limit Texas Hold’em game. A “Match” is made up of five games. A match will be played between six teams during the regular season and four teams during the playoffs. Each game will be 100 big blind starting stack, tournament structure, and will conclude when only a single individual remains. All participants will follow the schedule provided unless otherwise noted. Points will be assigned to an individual’s final placement.
3.2 Regular Season, Wildcard Scoring
| Individual Placement | Points |
| 1st | 15 |
| 2nd | 8 |
| 3rd | 5 |
| 4th | 3 |
| 5th | 2 |
| 6th | 1 |
3.3 Playoffs Scoring
| Individual Placement | Points |
| 1st | 7 |
| 2nd | 4 |
| 3rd | 2 |
| 4th | 1 |
3.4 Points – Absent Players
If a player is absent, they will automatically place last. If multiple players are absent, they will each receive the average of their shared points and shared placement. For example, during the regular season, if there are 2 absent players, each player will receive 1.5 points and claim 6.5th place.
3.5 Points – Disqualification
If a team is disqualified, all opposing teams will have their scores adjusted to reflect the disqualified team finishing in last.
3.6 Regular Season, Wildcard, Playoffs, Online Finals Blinds
Participants will start with 100 BB or a starting stack of 2,000 chips.
A custom blind level has been designed to reduce the variance of the games.
| Level | Blinds | Ante (per player) | Time (min) |
| 1 | 10/20 | 2 | 8 |
| 2 | 15/30 | 3 | 8 |
| 3 | 20/40 | 4 | 8 |
| 4 | 25/50 | 5 | 8 |
| 5 | 30/60 | 6 | 8 |
| 6 | 40/80 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 50/100 | 10 | 8 |
| 8 | 60/120 | 12 | 8 |
| 9 | 75/150 | 15 | 8 |
| 10 | 100/200 | 20 | 6 |
| 11 | 125/250 | 25 | 6 |
| 12 | 150/300 | 30 | 6 |
| 13 | 200/400 | 40 | 6 |
| 14 | 250/500 | 50 | 6 |
| 15 | 300/600 | 60 | 6 |
| 16 | 350/700 | 70 | 6 |
| 17 | 400/800 | 80 | 6 |
| 18 | 500/1000 | 100 | 6 |
3.7 Live Finals Blinds
Participants will start with 150 BB or a starting stack of 3,000 chips. Big blind ante will be removed when only two players remain.
| Level | Blinds | Big Blind Ante | Time (min) |
| 1 | 10/20 | 20 | 20 |
| 2 | 15/30 | 30 | 20 |
| 3 | 20/40 | 40 | 20 |
| 4 | 25/50 | 50 | 20 |
| 5 | 30/60 | 60 | 20 |
| 6 | 40/80 | 80 | 20 |
| 7 | 50/100 | 100 | 20 |
| 8 | 60/120 | 120 | 20 |
| 9 | 75/150 | 150 | 20 |
| 10 | 100/200 | 200 | 20 |
| 11 | 125/250 | 250 | 10 |
| 12 | 150/300 | 300 | 10 |
| 13 | 200/400 | 400 | 10 |
| 14 | 250/500 | 500 | 10 |
| 15 | 300/600 | 600 | 10 |
| 16 | 350/700 | 700 | 10 |
| 17 | 400/800 | 800 | 10 |
| 18 | 500/1000 | 1000 | 10 |
3.8 Heads Up Tiebreaker Blinds
Participants will start with 100 BB or a starting stack of 10,000 chips.
| Level | Blinds | Time (min) |
| 1 | 50/100 | 5 |
| 2 | 75/150 | 5 |
| 3 | 100/200 | 5 |
| 4 | 150/300 | 5 |
| 5 | 200/400 | 5 |
| 6 | 300/600 | 5 |
| 7 | 400/800 | 5 |
| 8 | 500/1000 | 5 |
| 9 | 600/1200 | 5 |
3.9 Wildcard
At the end of the regular season, the third place team from each group will claim a wildcard spot. One match with five games will be played. The four teams with the most points will compete in the playoffs. The wildcard match will follow the same blind structure as the regular season. Points awarded will follow the wildcard scoring system found in section 3.3.
3.10 Playoffs
The IPA Playoffs will consist of 16 teams from the regular season. The top two teams with the most points from each group will move onto the playoffs. The top four teams from the wildcard match will also compete in the playoffs. The playoffs will follow the same blind structure as the regular season. Points awarded will follow the playoff scoring system found in section 3.4.
3.11 Final Series
The IPA Finals will consist of the top team from each playoff group. The Finals will follow a similar format as the regular season. Complete details will be released two weeks before the Final Series.
3.12 Forfeits
If a team can no longer qualify for the IPA Playoffs or the IPA Finals, and if it does not affect another team’s ability to qualify for the playoffs or the final series, respectively, they can assume the option of forfeiting their match.
3.13 Ties
In the case of a tie breaker for determining the IPA Wildcard, Playoffs or Finals teams, a best-of-5 consisting of five best-of-3s heads up games will be played. The winner will proceed to the next stage.
3.14 Three Way Tie
A three-way tie is defined when three teams have an equal number of points when competing for the last IPA Wildcard, Playoffs, or Finals spot. In such a case, an additional regular season match will be played with the three tied teams.
3.15 Start Time
Players must be seated within three minutes of start time. Game will not start until everyone is seated or exactly three minutes after the assigned start time. Players will only be counted as present by clicking “Take the Seat” on PokerNow. No player will be allowed to enter the game after it has begun. If a player has trouble connecting to the table, they must send an email to contact@pokeripa.com no later than three minutes after the assigned start time. E.g. if the assigned start time is 2:00:00 PM EST, players must be seated or send a connection problem email by 2:03:00 PM EST. In the case a player is allowed to join late, past blind and ante deductions will be applied as well as an additional 10 big blinds deduction.
3.16 Player Participation
No player can multi-table or assume the identity of another player. The player assuming another player’s identity will be banned from the IPA. If a player is found assuming the identity of another player, that player’s points will equal 0 for that game. The team will receive a one time warning. The IPA Finals must be played with exactly five unique players.
3.17 Player Verification
From the playoffs on, players may be required to confirm their identity before the match.
3.18 Away Player
If a player is away for more than three minutes or is consistently away, players can call a clock on said player. An admin will message the away player through the in game chat. If the away player fails to respond within one minute, they will automatically be placed out. E.g. if there are five players remaining including the away player, the away player will place fifth.
3.19 Table Ownership
Players must not take ownership of the table, change the settings of the table, or start the table. In the situation where the table admin is disconnected, players must wait for the admin to reconnect. Table settings will be verified and reset in the case of any changes.
3.20 Point Submissions
All players are responsible for accurately recording their table results. Failure to do so will result in a score of zero. Scores must be submitted within 30 minutes of the table ending. There will be a one point penalty for inaccurately reporting your placement or table name.
3.21 Platform
All online matches will be played on one of the approved online poker clients as follows:
- PokerNow (pokernow.club)
- DonkHouse (donkhouse.com)
3.22 Prohibited Software
A Heads Up Display or “HUD” will not be allowed during online matches. Any other software that tracks another participant’s hand history and data will not be allowed. An instant disqualification for the entire team will follow.
3.23 Cheating
Cheating will not be tolerated. If an individual is suspected of cheating, an investigation will be conducted. If there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, an appropriate penalty or disqualification will follow.
3.24 Accumulated Penalties
Teams that accumulate five individual absences or five penalties will forfeit their seat in the tournament the following year.
3.25 Most Valuable Player
Following the conclusion of the tournament, the organizers of the IPA, along with the advisory team and board members, will select the Most Valuable Player (MVP). The selection will be based solely on performances from the current tournament, including all regular, wildcard, playoff, and final games.
3.26 Team Size
Teams must roster a minimum of eight individuals for the tournament. Five will be active and the rest on reserve.