Betting
Acting in Turn
A player shall act on his hand when it is his turn and only when it is his turn. Acting out of turn gives some players an advantage at the expense of other players.
Splashing the Pot
When placing chips in the pot, a player shall place them in front of him so that there is no confusion as to who placed the chips in the pot and the amount of the chips. This enables all other players at the table to know who has made what action, and enables the dealer to always be aware that the correct number of chips is in the pot. The dealer is in charge of scooping all bets into the pot.
Action out of Turn
A player who makes action out of turn shall be held to that action when it is his turn, unless intervening action changes the action the out-of-turn actor is facing. If a player checks or bets out of turn he may not then change his action when the action comes to him in turn. If a player checks out of turn he must check when it comes to him. If a player bets out of turn he must bet when the action comes to him. If a player calls out of turn and a player in between the better and the caller raises then the calling player may have the option to act on his hand as if he had not acted out of turn.
Oversized Chip or Bill
If when responding to action a player puts a single chip or bill in the pot that is larger than the bet, but does not announce a raise, he shall be deemed to have only called. Putting a single chip or bill in the pot with a denomination larger than the bet itself is only a call unless a raise is announced.
Verbal Declarations of Action
In Turn: A verbal declaration of action is binding if when it is a player's turn to act he announces a fold, check, bet, call, or raise. The player shall be held to that action to the exclusion of all other actions.
Out of Turn: A player who makes a verbal declaration of action out of turn shall be held to that action when it is his turn, unless intervening action changes the action the out-of-turn actor is facing, in which case the player may act on his hand as if he had made no declaration.
String Raises
Chips should be placed in the pot in a single hand motion. A player who places chips in the pot shall not return to his stack for additional chips to raise, as this shall constitute a string raise, which is expressly prohibited. To protect the right to raise regardless of the number of chips in hand, a player shall either declare his intention to raise or place the proper amount of chips in the pot. Placing a full bet plus a half bet or more into the pot shall be deemed a raise, and the raise must be completed. Putting more chips in the pot than a full bet, but less than a bet and a half shall be deemed a call, and a player who does this shall not be permitted to raise. Note again that placing an oversized chip in the pot without declaring one's intention constitutes a call.
Motions Constituting a Check or Raise
The dealer and other players shall have the right to rely on a player's hand motions. Any tapping of the table or other hand signal that the dealer might reasonably construe to be a check shall be deemed a check. A player who makes an upward motion with his hand, a thumbs up signal or other signal that might be reasonably construed by the dealer to indicate a raise shall be deemed a raise.
All-in
All hands will be turned face up whenever a player is all-in and betting action is complete.
A player who declares all in and loses the pot, then discovers that one or more chips were hidden, is not entitled to benefit from this. That player is eliminated from the tournament if the opponent had sufficient chips to cover the hidden ones (A rebuy is okay if allowable by the rules of that event). If another deal has not yet started, the director may rule the chips belong to the opponent who won that pot, if that obviously would have happened with the chips out in plain view. If the next deal has started, the discovered chips are removed from the tournament.
Player Conduct
Commentary/Inadvertently Taking Away Someone’s Advantage
At no time should any player or non-player make comments on a hand which may aid one or more players. Examples of unacceptable comments include:
- Folding before the flop, and then proclaiming upon seeing the flop, “Rats, I should’ve stayed in the hand.” – In this example, that player just gave information to the other players regarding what cards he may have held, and potentially taken away someone’s advantage.
- Upon seeing the full board, exclaiming, “Wow, a 7-2 looks pretty good now.” – That person has just pointed something out to players who may otherwise not have noticed and thereby potentially taken away someone’s advantage.
- Upon seeing the board, announcing, “Two hole spades makes a flush!” – In this case, a player may have thought he had the nuts with three of a kind, and now he realizes that someone else could actually beat him.
- Upon seeing the board, exclaiming, “Wow, there are a ton of different ways to have a really good hand!”
- Upon seeing the board, announcing, “There’s no way that anyone can have a straight or flush.”
- Upon seeing the board, announcing, “Looks like three of a kind is the best possible hand.”
A common response to this guideline might be, “I’m only pointing out what is obvious to everyone.” A) In many cases, it actually wasn’t obvious to those involved in the hand because they are concentrating on their hand. B) If it’s obvious, then it doesn’t need to be said.
The only exception to this rule is when two players are involved in heads up play. Those two players, and only those two players, may use whatever techniques they wish to win the hand. If they make a comment, they can only hurt themselves.
Winning the Pot
A player wins the pot either through an unmatched raise or a showdown.
Order of Showdown
Upon completion of action on the final betting round, the dealer shall ask the players to show their hands. If more than one player contests a pot through the final betting round, the pot will be awarded to the best hand pursuant to the rules of the game upon a showdown of hands. If there has been a bet but no raise on the final betting round, then the player who made the bet shall show his hand first, followed by other players still contesting the pot, in clockwise rotation. If there has been a bet and raise or multiple raises on the final betting round, then the person who made the final raise shall show his hand first. If there has been no bet on the final round then the showdown begins with the player who had the obligation of first action on the final betting round--the player under the gun in draw and board games or the player with the highest board in stud games.
Cards Speak
A hand that is turned over at the showdown is ranked according to the cards that are in it. If the hand is turned over then an incorrect assessment of a hand's rank or a verbal concession is not binding at showdown.
Tied Hands
In the case of one or more tied hands at the showdown, the pot shall be divided accordingly proportionately, with odd chips allocated as set forth in the next section. Suits shall in no way influence awarding any part of a pot.
Odd Chip
In all games where dividing the pot results in an odd-chip when the pot is split the odd chip--In increments of the minimum betting unit-will go to the player with the least advantageous position in button games (the player closest to the left of the dealer button).
Showdown with Side Pots
If one or more players are all-In in a multi-way contested pot, then the side Pots shall be awarded first. If there is one all-In player eligible for the main pot only then he shall show his hand last. If there are multiple side pots then those participating for the last side pot shall show their hands down first, followed by those involved in the next-to-last side pot, etc., until the main pot is awarded.
Dealing
Who Deals?
Before players are eliminated from the game, the dealing is done by the player with the button. After the first player is eliminated, he becomes the permanent dealer until the second player is eliminated, and so on.
Basic Dealer Procedures
Beyond the shuffle, cut and deal the dealer is responsible to maintain the game as quickly and efficiently as possible. The dealer shall make sure that all pre-deal money (blinds and antes) is posted. The dealer shall prompt players to act when it is their turn, and when necessary to act in turn. At the beginning of each betting round the dealer shall announce how many active players are in the hand. The dealer shall make sure the proper amount of money goes into the pot. The dealer shall ensure that all proper procedures are followed, especially regarding showdown and awarding the pot.
In games with blinds the dealer shall verbally confirm whether any live blind elects to exercise his option to raise.
If a player Splashes the pot the dealer shall verify that the correct number of chips have been placed in the pot and push them back in front of the player who has made the action so that they are clearly distinguishable from the pot and from chips placed in the pot by other players. The dealer shall not scoop until he has verified that each player has placed the proper number of chips in the pot and received proper change from the pot. Players shall never make their own change from the pot or from other players' bets.
Tournament Anomalies
Two or More Players Eliminated on the Same Hand
The player who had the higher chip stack before the hand finishes higher than the player who had the lower chip stack.
This document does not explain the rules of Poker or Texas Hold’em. Instead, it details the rules and guidelines specific to a home tournament.
Starting the Tournament
Buy-in Amount
The buy-in amount and associated number of tournament chips shall be the same for every player.
Example: Players may not receive half the number of tournament chips for half of the buy-in amount.
Re-buys
If re-buys are allowed, a player may not request a re-buy during the course of a hand. A player can only play with the money that was on the table at the beginning of the hand.
Payouts
The approximate payout structure shall be clearly indicated before the beginning of the tournament. The final payout structure may be modified due to re-buys or late players increasing the pot.
Table and Seat Assignment
Table and seat assignments will be decided randomly.
Dealer Button Assignment
Players at a table shall draw for the button.
Tournament Progression
Switching Tables
As players are eliminated, tables may become imbalanced. If this happens, a player from a larger table will be shifted to a smaller table. The shifted player should sit in the same position as his old table.
Example: Shift the player just to the right of the button so that at the new table he is just to the right of the button.
Combining Tables
When two or more tables are combined into one, the seat selection and button placement will proceed as if it were a new game.
Changing Seats at the Same Table
Players may not change seats at the same table.
Chips
The lowest denomination of chip in play will be removed from the table when it is no longer needed in the blind structure. All lower-denomination chips that are of sufficient quantity for a new chip will be changed up directly. The method for removal of odd chips is to deal one card to a player for each odd chip possessed. Cards are dealt clockwise starting with the 1-seat, with each player receiving all cards before any cards are dealt to the next player. The player with the highest card remaining will receive a new chip.
Example: Steve has 41 $1 chips and Jeff has 39 $1 chips. Steve trades in 40 of his $1 chips for 8 $5 chips (leaving 1), and Jeff trades in 35 of his $1 chips for 7 $5 chips. Steve receives 1 card and Jeff receives 4. Steve’s Ace beats Andy’s K-Q-J-10. Steve gets the extra $5 chip, but Jeff still wins the tournament.
Late Players
Late players are responsible for all small and large blinds missed before they joined the game. Without this rule, they have potentially gained an advantage by arriving late.
Money In View
Every player at the table has the right to know how much money every other player at the table has in play. All money in play shall be in full view at all times.
Blinds and the Button
We will play with two blinds. The player to the left of the button will post the small blind. The player to the left of the small blind will post the big blind. The small blind will constitute one-third to two-thirds of the big blind.
Blinds will rise at periodic intervals throughout the evening to ensure that the tournament ends in a reasonable amount of time. The schedule for blind progression will be decided upon before the tournament.
No Dead Button
Whenever possible, no player shall have the privilege of last action on two consecutive hands or the burden of first action on two consecutive hands, so the button shall always be moved forward after each hand to a position in front of an active player. A dead button--effectively giving a player the benefit of last action on two consecutive hands--shall not be permitted. It will sometimes be necessary for a blind to be posted on the button and/or an additional blind to be posted because of this rule, as hereinafter discussed.
Missed Big Blind
In the normal course of play all players shall post their blinds in turn. If a player leaves the game temporarily and it is his turn to post the big blind, the dealer shall give the player a Missed Blind button. The dealer button advances as it would otherwise, and the active player immediately to the left of the player who just left the table posts the big blind, with the player to the right of the player who just left the table posting the small blind, and the game proceeds with all players receiving their hands in turn, having posted their blinds when they should, with no player having the positional advantage of last action twice in a row.
Making Up Blinds
A player returning to the table after an absence where he has missed his blinds shall have four choices:
- He may wait until it is his turn to post the big blind, whereupon he shall post in the normal course of play, receive a hand and resume play;
- He may immediately post an amount equal to the large and small blinds, whereupon he shall receive a hand and resume play. In this case the large blind is live, just as any other big blind would be, however the amount equal to the small blind is dead, and shall be placed in the center of the pot. In this case the player shall have all the same choices of action as a player posting his big blind in the normal position;
- He may wait until the blinds and button pass hum, whereupon he shall post an amount equal to the big and small blinds behind the button, with the amount of the big blind being live and the amount of the small blind being dead, just as in the previous scenario;
- He may straddle in the under-the-gun position.
Make-up blinds shall not be posted between the big blind and the small blind or between the small blind and the button or on the button. They shall be made up in any other position ranging from under the gun to behind the button.
A player who has departed the game temporarily, missing his blinds, and then returned must post all missed blinds before receiving a hand, or wait until it is his turn to post the big blind. He shall not be dealt a hand until he has made up his blinds.
If a player has returned to the table and not posted his blinds but he has been dealt a hand, if he has looked at any of his cards or if there has been action the hand is dead. If he has not looked at any of his cards and there has been no action when the error is discovered he may elect whether or not to post. If he elects not to post then his hand is dead, and further he shall not have the opportunity to post until the big blind comes to him.
Adjusting Blinds for Players Who Leave On Their Small Blind
Occasionally a player pays his big blind and then either temporarily or permanently leaves the game when it is his turn to post the small blind. If a player does not post his small blind and has temporarily left the table he shall get a missed little blind button. If he has permanently left the table there shall be a dead small blind for that hand. On the subsequent hand the dealer button shall be advanced through the seat of the player who has missed his small blind, and the player whose turn it is to post the small blind shall post it on the button, to avoid a dead button.
Adjusting Blinds for Players Who Leave on Their Button
If a player has paid his big and small blinds and then leaves the game on the hand where he would have had the button, then the button shall be advanced through that player's seat to the seat of the player who has the small blind, who shall have both the button and the obligation to post the small blind for that hand. Two big blinds shall then be posted by the players under the gun. If the player with the button is not at the table at the commencement of the deal, and has not told the dealer to give him a hand, then the button shall be so advanced after the shuffle and cut and before the first card is dealt. Once the first card is dealt the player who would have had the button returning to the table cannot be dealt in for that hand, and must wait until the next hand, having forfeited his button hand. On the subsequent hand the button shall be advanced, the player on the button shall post a small blind, the player to the immediate left of the button shall post a small blind and the player two to the left of the button shall post a big blind. The following hand the blind situation returns to normal. This procedure prevents a player from having the privilege of last action for two hands in a row or the burden of acting under the gun two hands in a row.
Head’s Up Play
In head's-up play, the small blind shall be posted by the player with the button and the large blind by the other player. The player who does not have the button shall be dealt the first card, and shall be the first to act on all betting rounds except the initial round. On the initial betting round, because the big blind in effect has already acted, the player on the button who has posted the small blind shall be first to act.
Betting Structures
Limit Hold’em
Except for a player going all-in, each bet and raise is defined by the structure of the game.
There are up to 5 bets (1 bet and 4 raises) per round.
For example, in a $2/$4 game (blinds of $1 and $2), the bet in the first two rounds is set at $2 while the bet/raise in the last two rounds is set at $4. In each of the first two rounds, the maximum outlay for any player is $2 x 5 bets or $10 (and therefore $20 for each of the second two rounds.)
No-Limit Hold’em
There is no limit on the amount a player met bet up to everything he has in front of him.
There is no limit on the number of raises in any betting round.
Except for a player going all-in, all bets must be for no less than the minimum bring-in designated for the structure. Further, all raises must be equal to or greater than the size of the previous bet or raise on that round, except when making an all-in wager.
