Poker is a tournament structure in which participants compete against each other in a series of matches. The overall winner is determined based on the sum of all wins (or losses) in a predetermined number of sets or rounds. This format is often used in team and racket sports, combat sports, many card games and board games, competitive debating, and other esports.
Tournaments come in all shapes and sizes. The smallest tend to be locals, or weekly events that focus on bringing structure and organization to friendly competitions among friends or members of the community. They’re the entry point for most new players, and the place where they hone their skills to prepare for bigger competitions.
A step up from a local are monthlies, which are monthly events that are a little bit larger in scale. These events offer more opportunity to play against different kinds of opponents, and they typically have a little bit more value than a local tournament to help incentivize attendance from the community.
At a regional level there are usually more of these events, and they’re sometimes held at more traditional convention venues to increase their heft and prestige. These are the events that players really aim to do well at, and they can be a major source of pride for those who have made it to this stage.