Brisbane Poker United have adopted the following changes to the International rules of Poker:
(A printed copy of the International Poker Rules is available to view on request, Please ask the TD).

1. "Tables will be broken by single randomization". Alteration to Rule 28.5
(Using a Computer to delegate new Table and Seating positions).




BPU utilizes a computer to randomly allocate seating positions at the commencement of a tournament and during a tournament.
When breaking Tables, the use of a computer will be used to allocate new Table and Seating positions.
No allowance will be made if a Player is moved to the same position on a new Table, including moving to the Small Blind, Big Blind or the Button.

2. "Big Blind Ante". Alteration to Rule 39.4.5
(Big Blind is posted before the Ante).




Should a Player on the Big Blind & Ante position be all-in for just the value of an Big Blind or less, should they win,
they will win their bet amount multiplied by the number of players who called that bet plus any Ante.





On Final Table when play reaches "Heads Up", there will be no Ante in play.

3. "Big Blind Ante". Alteration to Rule 39.4.2
(Big Blind reduced to Small Blind Ante).




If all Tables have 6 (six) or less Players, The Big Blind Ante will be reduced to the value of the Small Blind.
If there are table/s with 6 Players and 1 (one) Table with 7 (seven) or more Players, The Big Blind Ante will remain the same value as the Big Blind.



On Final Table when play reaches "Heads Up", there will be no Ante in play.

4. "At Your Seat"". Alteration to Rule 42.3
("In Your Seat").

A Player must be seated on their seat when that Players 1st card is dealt to them, in order to have a live hand.
This is to avoid confusion between "AT" your seat and "IN" your seat.
This also assists Dealers by having one clear rule.

5. "Shot Clock"". Alteration to Rule 73.2
(Use of Time Extension cards).

Time extension cards will only be used on the last two (2) Tables.
Four (4) Time extension cards will be given to each Player.
Time extension cards cannot be given to another Player or Sold.

6. "Shot Clock"". Alteration to Rule 73.3
(Shot Clock countdown).

Dealers will provide a 5 second warning with no countdown.

7. "Shot Clock"". Alteration to Rule 73.6
(Additional Time Extension cards).

An additional four (4) Time extension cards will be given to each Player once Final Table has been reached, whether they have any existing Time extension cards or not.

Brisbane Poker United have adopted the following penalty structures:

1. Acting Out of Turn. This includes Betting, Calling, Raising or Folding.
(Folding Out of Turn includes leaving the table after your cards have been dealt, but before it is your turn).





PENALTIES THAT APPLY ARE AS FOLLOWS:



• 1st offence - Verbal Warning.
• 2nd offence - One Full Orbit penalty - based on the number of Players at the Table. (away from the table)
• 3rd offence - Two Full Orbits penalty - based on the number of Players at the Table. (away from the table)
• 4th offence - Exclusion from the Tournament.

WE STRICTLY ENFORCE THE FOLLOWING RULES:




• No Rabbit-Hunting.
• No showing cards to other Players or Spectators either prior to, or after you have Folded.
• No going through the Muck Pile.
• No Running out the Hand - to see if you "would have won".

• 1:   Venues should provide a player-friendly environment.
  The following should be provided and/or posted in a manner that is clearly visible within the tournament area:
   a. The International Poker Rules alongside Management’s modifications
   b. Tournament structure sheet
   c. Payout schedule sheet
   d. List of tables in breaking order
   e. Designated tournament clock(s)
   f. Dress code requirements
• 2:   All printed material should be provided in a timely manner, posted in the tournament’s “official language,” and readily available upon request.
  
  
• 3:   Venues must ensure all players are informed when they are entering a tournament that is to be webcast or televised.
  Unless specified in the event terms and conditions, players who then choose to enter this tournament are required/obligated to sign a standard talent release form and to cooperate as and when required with the filming personnel.
  
  
• 4:   Venues should attempt to provide the fairest playing conditions. Venues that utilize automated shuffling machines are encouraged to use these devices only if and when they are available to all tournament tables. Exceptions can be made on special occasions.
  
  
• 5:   Event organizers should have a clear Late Registration policy in place that outlines starting chip stack, seating procedures and determining when a late registrant can start tournament play. A late registrant will be required to accept the seat he/she is allocated randomly by the Tournament Director or Management, and must be in this seat as quickly as possible.
  
  It is at the Tournament Director's discretion to determine the appropriate point at which each late registrant can start to play, and this decision should be based on fairness for all players and flow of the tournament.
  
  
• 6:   International events can be scheduled with or without dinner breaks but it is the responsibility of the Venue to ensure that they display this information in a clear and visible manner to all players.
  
  Management reserves the right to customize the tournament schedule, including the timing of regular restroom and dinner breaks, which should always be scheduled in the interest of fairness for all players and the flow of the game.
  
  
• 7:   As stated in Guideline 1.a) the tournament schedule will be made transparent to all players before the event starts, with the number of levels to be played each day, outlined and posted by the venue in a clearly visible manner within the tournament area.
  
  It is at Management's discretion to determine tournament start time, number of levels to be completed before the end of play procedures are enacted, the length of the levels, and in multi-day tournaments, to decide what time play will resume the following day.
  
  The Tournament Director may modify this schedule or add additional levels to maintain the integrity of the game and in the best and fairest interests of the players.
  
  

• 1:   Management will attempt to maintain a pleasant environment for their customers and employees, but is not responsible for the conduct of any player. Management reserves the right to refuse any player entry into the casino, card room, and/or tournament area(s).
  
  The following will not be permitted or tolerated:
  
  
  • Collusion with another player or any other form of cheating.
  • Verbally or physically threatening any customer or employee, or anyone.
  • Use of profanity and/or obscene language in an abusive manner.
  • Creating a disturbance by arguing, shouting, or making excessive noise.
  • Throwing, tearing, bending, or crumpling cards.
  • Destroying or defacing property.
  • Using an illegal substance.
  • Carrying a weapon.



• 2:   Management may reserve the right to amend or cancel any scheduled tournament. Notice should be posted on all printed and online material. Language shall include, “Management reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the tournament without prior notice.”
  This DOES NOT allow Management to cancel tournaments with Guarantees.
  
  
• 3:   In official events, Management reserves the right to enforce a general dress code on players entered in a tournament, Players are obligated to accept the dress code guidelines if they want to participate in the event.
  Unless specified in the event terms and conditions, players who then choose to enter this tournament are required/obligated to sign a standard talent release form and to cooperate as and when required with the filming personnel.
  
  
• 4:   Management is responsible to make changes in accordance to their House Rules and State, Federal or Country gaming laws, statutes, and regulations. Modifications, deletions, and/or additions to the IP Rules must be clearly stated, simply explained, and visibly posted by Management before the event starts.
  
  

• 1:   Tournament Directors are to control the progress of the tournament and are to consider the technical rules for the best interest of the tournament, the game, and its players. Their role is to provide knowledge and rulings regarding the technical rules in any discrepancies that occur, and are to use fairness as their top priority in the decision-making process.
  
  
• 2:   On occasion, unusual circumstances may arise that may dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules. Tournament Directors have the authority to impose penalties. The Tournament Director’s decision is final.
  Unless specified in the event terms and conditions, players who then choose to enter this tournament are required/obligated to sign a standard talent release form and to cooperate as and when required with the filming personnel.
  
  
• 3:   When a situation arises that is not covered by these rules, the Tournament Director will have the authority to render judgment, including imposing a penalty, in accordance with the best interest of the tournament and the maintenance of its integrity and public confidence.
  
  The Tournament Director retains the right to cancel or alter any tournament, in a manner fair to the players and for the best interest of the tournament.
  
  It is the responsibility of the Tournament Director to bring these changes to the attention of the players as soon as possible.
  
  
• 4:   The Tournament Director is responsible for ensuring that the following is posted/provided and/or announced in a manner that is clearly visible within the tournament area:
  
  
  • The International Poker Rules alongside Management’s modifications.
  • Tournament structure sheet.
  • Prize pool and payout schedule of each tournament in a timely manner.
  • Breaking order of tables listed before the start of the tournament.
  • Designated tournament clock(s).
  • Dress code requirements.
  
  
  
• 5:   For tournaments that continue over multiple days, the Tournament Director is required to stop the clock within the last fifteen minutes of the final level of play for the day. A randomly selected active player in the tournament will be asked to draw a single card from five shuffled cards numbered from three to six.
  
  Whichever number card the player draws will be the number of hands remaining to be played that day.
  
  The Tournament Director will announce to the field the number of hands remaining to be player in order to complete the day's play. The Tournament Director will also announce when the event will recommence.
  
  

• 1:   Floor People are to provide supervision and are to consider the technical rules for the best interest of the game and its players.
  Their role is to provide knowledge and rulings regarding the technical rules in any discrepancies that may occur, and are to use fairness as their top priority in the decision-making process.
  Floor People must act in a fair manner and remain neutral to all players.
  
  
• 2:   On occasion, unusual circumstances may arise that may dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules.
  Floor People have the authority to impose penalties and make rulings.
  In certain situations, the Floor Person will bring a discrepancy to the attention of the Tournament Director for clarity.
  A player has the right to appeal a ruling to the highest authority in the room.
  The decision of the highest authority in the room will be final.
  
  

• 1:   Dealers are to control the progress of the game.
  Their role is to state the action and facilitate the progress of a fair game; as to the technical rules, dealers should act in a fair manner and must remain neutral to all players.
  
  
• 2:   Dealers must clearly announce the action in the tournament’s “official language.”
  Dealers will be responsible to announce and show “exposed cards.”
  Dealers should always count and announce the total amount of all bets when they occur (unless it is an all-in bet) in a neutral tone. This provides a much better service to the players as they do not have to go through the effort of asking every time the action gets to them. This will also massively speed up the game which is a must with the introduction of shotclock & timebank.
  Dealers will only inform a player of the pot size in pot limit games.
  
  
• 3:   Dealers are responsible for reporting any violation by a player, or any discrepancy that occurs.
  If a discrepancy arises, players are responsible for calling the dealer’s attention to the situation.
  Dealers must immediately stop all action and call for a “Floor Person” or the “Tournament Director.”
  
  
• 4:   A dealer that is pushing another dealer must never disturb the working dealer during a hand in motion. Dealers are obligated to make sure they know what game they are about to deal, and avoid any conversations with other dealers while they are actually working.
  
  

• 1.1:   If a discrepancy or violation occurs, Tournament staff will consider the technical rules to interpret how a rule will apply and are to use fairness as their top priority in the decision-making process.
  On occasion, unusual circumstances may arise that could dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules. The decision of the highest authority in the room will be final.
  
  
• 1.2:   Floor People and Tournament Directors have the authority to make rulings and impose penalties. A Tournament Director is the highest authority, when a player thinks the decision of the floor person is not correct, they may ask the Tournament Director for a final ruling.
  
  
• 1.3:   Dealers are responsible for reporting any player violations, or any discrepancy that may occur. Players also have a right to request/ call the floor should they feel it is warranted.
  
  
• 1.4:   Dealers, Floor People, and Tournament Directors must make all announcements in the tournament’s “official language(s).” (see rule 9)
  
  
• 1.5:   Each venue or organizer is subject to their applicable federal, state, and local country laws and regulations, including gaming, and all aspects of their event(s)/tournament(s) that are subject to the approval of appropriate regulatory authorities at all times. Organizers must ensure that they operate within these laws and regulations, and players will never be held responsible for this matter.

  
  (TDA RULE #1) FLOOR PEOPLE
  Floor People must consider the best interest of the game and fairness as top priorities in the decision-making process. Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules. The Floor Person’s decision will be final.

• 2.1:   When a situation occurs due to a dealer error, including a dealer accidentally releasing the card deck before the hand is complete, dealers must immediately stop all action and notify a Floor Person or the Tournament Director of their error, only then the problem can be resolved.
  
  
• 2.2:   The tournament staff   has the sole authority to resolve the situation in the fairest manner.
  On occasion, unusual circumstances may arise that could dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules.
  The decision of the highest authority in the room will be final. See Rule 1.1
  


(TDA RULE #1) FLOOR PEOPLE
Floor People must consider the best interest of the game and fairness as top priorities in the decision-making process. Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules. The Floor Person’s decision will be final.

• 3.1:   Players are responsible to report any errors, discrepancies or violations that promote an unfair game.
  
  
• 3.2:   Any delay in reporting a discrepancy may affect a ruling; once a “new deal” has begun the result of the previous hand will stand.
  
  The Tournament Director in his/her sole discretion may overrule this in the interests of fairness of the game and its players.
  Errors clearly reported by any player(s) cannot be waived by the dealer starting a new hand. A new hand begins with the first riffle.
  For tables using a shuffle machine, the dealer pushing the retrieve deck button will determine the start of a new hand.
  

• 4.1:   On occasions players may disagree with the ruling provided, players will always have the right to dispute a ruling and call for a follow up ruling by the highest authority in the room. Only the Tournament Director or his senior will be able to overrule the initial given ruling.
  
  
• 4.2:   A player shall not benefit from an error caused by their action.
  
  
• 4.3:   Players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with “The International Poker Rules” and to take notice of any forced changes and/or modifications that are posted in the tournament area.
  
  These instructions or modifications may include information on the tournament structure, payout schedule, breaking tables, late registration, issues of player etiquette, and required dress code. (See Guidelines 1a, 2c & 3d)
  
  Lack of knowledge regarding the rules may not be deemed as an excuse by a violator.
  
  An unintentional error should be less serious than a deliberate violation and may be ruled as such.
  
  
• 4.4:   The game of poker relies on the integrity of an individual to play in a fair manner and to abide by the policies, procedures, and rules of the tournament.
  Players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating sportsmanlike behavior at all times.
  
  
• 4.5:   Taking advantage of any unclear situation(s) created by other players can be seen as unsportsmanlike behavior and may be penalized as such. See Rule 5.1


(TDA RULE #2) PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES
Players are expected to verify registration data and seat assignments, protect their hands, make their intentions clear, follow the action, act in turn, defend their right to act, keep cards visible, keep chips correctly stacked, remain at the table with a live hand, speak up if they see a mistake being made, transfer tables promptly, follow one player to a hand, know and comply with the rules, follow proper etiquette, and generally contribute to an orderly tournament.

• 5.1:   Tournament Directors and Floor People will issue penalties for the following etiquette violations. Repeated infractions are subject to escalating penalties.
  
  To maintain the integrity and fairness of the tournament, and to provide a player friendly environment, the following actions are considered improper and unsportsmanlike behavior:
  
  
  1.   Acting out of turn, intentionally and/or repeatedly.
  2.   Intentionally folding/mucking out of turn, including abandoning a hand.
  3.   Miscalling a hand, intentionally and/or repeatedly.
  4.   Exposing cards with action pending, intentionally and/or repeatedly.
  5.   Needlessly stalling the action of a hand.
  6.   Violating the “one player to a hand” rule, including coaching a player or talking about the hand to another person either at the table or on the rail, during a live hand.
  7.   Revealing the contents of any live or folded cards during a live hand.
  8.   Any form of soft play, including verbally or mutually agreeing to check a hand down, when a third player is all-in.
  9.   Incorrectly instructing or controlling the action or a player.
  10.   Any form of “rabbit hunting.”
  11.   Splashing chips directly into the pot, intentionally and/or repeatedly.
  12.   Mucking a hand at the dealer, at a player, or in an abusive manner.
  13.   Throwing or destroying card(s) intentionally.
  14.   Abusive or disruptive behavior.
  15.   Unnecessarily touching another player’s cards or chips.
  16.   Wearing any clothing or other materials that carry words or images that display derogatory, offensive, racist, illegal or aggressive messages.
  17.   Using masks or objects that hide a player's identity.
  18.   Verbally or physically attacking other competitors, members of the tournament staff, or spectators.
  19.   Displaying signs of alcohol intoxication, drunkenness or use of other substances that jeopardizes the smooth running of the tournament, or causes disrespect to other competitors, staff or spectators.
  20.   Displaying unsocial conditions of hygiene, including excessive body odor or dirt that jeopardizes other players’ right to a pleasant and safe environment.
  21.   Excessive chatter: Excessive chatter includes, but is not limited to, talking or having a conversation that disrupts participants who are in a hand.
  22.   Any participant who displays any form of inappropriate behavior may be subject to a penalty.
  
  
  
• 5.2: Dress Code   Players may be restricted from wearing hats, hoods, sunglasses, or any garment or device (except for religious reasons) that obscures any part of the face.
  Smart-casual attire may be specifically required.
  Shorts and sleeveless tops, and open shoes, such as sandals and flip-flops, may be deemed appropriate at some locations and prohibited at others, subject to house rules.
  Players may use any device to insulate themselves from the sounds of the game, including but not limited to ear-plugs, personal stereos and noise-cancelling headphones. However, they will be held responsible for errors they may cause, if they are not paying attention to the game and that disturbs the flow of tournament play.
  Repeated violations will be subject to escalating penalties.
  
  
• 5.3: Speech Play   This is allowed in both multi-way and heads up pots, players are allowed to discuss the game so long as it is in a sportsmanlike manner and not considered offensive in any way.
  In Multi-way pots, verbally players are allowed give up information of their own hole cards, whether the statement is true or false is immaterial, and the hand will remain live. Although players can discuss their own cards, in multi-way pots it is not the case that players can discuss opposing player’s cards.
  
  Should there be any suspicion of collusion or soft play at any point from either players or dealers opinion, it will be investigated and punished if believed to be true by the Tournament Director.
  
  In heads up scenarios, players can discuss the hand fully so long as it is in good taste and not offensive in any way.


(TDA RULE #65) ETIQUETTE VIOLATIONS
Repeated etiquette violations will result in penalties. Examples include, but are not limited to, unnecessarily touching other players’ cards or chips, repeatedly actin out of turn, betting out of reach of the dealer, abusive conduct and excessive chatter.

• 6.1:   Poker is an individual game. Actions, statements and/or behaviors that compromise the fairness of the game, whether knowingly or unknowingly, are considered unethical play and unsportsmanlike behavior.
  Dealers are obligated to report this immediately to the management, who may then follow up with a penalty.
  
  
• 6.2:   Tournament Directors and Floor People will penalize any player who acts in an unethical manner. This shall include, but is not limited to:
  
  6.2.1  Any player involved in collusion. See Rule 6.3
  6.2.2  Any player involved in cheating or attempting to cheat.
  6.2.3  Any player or person whose personal hygiene or health has become disruptive to the other players seated at their table. The Tournament Director will, in their sole discretion, implement sanctions upon any such player to solve this issue fairly.
  
  
• 6.3:   Collusion is defined as any agreement between two (2) or more competitors to share information and play together to achieve an advantage in the tournament above other opponents. Collusion includes, but is not limited to:
  
  6.3.1  chip dumping;
  6.3.2  soft play;
  6.3.3  sending or receiving signals to/from another competitor in any form;
  6.3.4  using electronic or other aids to exchange information.
  
  Definitions:
  Chip dumping is defined as any agreement amongst two (2) or more participants for one or more of the participants to bet chips with the intent of increasing another participant's stack. Organizers will have to enforce the Showdown rule to deter and prevent players from chip dumping. If this rule is strictly enforced, there will be fewer questionable situations arising, minimizing the need for tournament staff to make on-the-spot judgments.
  
  Soft play is defined as any agreement amongst two (2) or more participants to not bet or raise each other in order to gain advantage. The Tournament Director will need to judge and penalize every situation on a case-by-case basis to avoid any reasonable doubt.
  
  
• 6.4:   Cheating is defined as deliberately breaking the rules of the tournament to gain an advantage. Cheating may include, but is not limited to:
  6.4.1  Collusion;
  6.4.2  theft of chips, and transfer of chips between participants in the same tournament or separate events;
  6.4.3  marking cards, substituting replacement cards or use of any other unauthorized methods or equipment.
  
  The competitive integrity of all tournaments played in any country in the world is a basic requirement.
  All participants must adhere to the spirit and letter of the International Poker Rules when playing events that are being run with IP Rules.
  These rules forbid any play or action that is illegal, unethical, or constitutes cheating or collusion in any form, deliberately or unknowingly.
  In certain situations Management can/will take instant legal actions and inform the authorities.
  
  
• 6.5:   Organizers, in its sole and absolute discretion, may also disqualify any person from receiving any prize based upon fraud and/or dishonesty such as:
  6.5.1  .Violation of promotional rules or other misconduct while on the property;
  6.5.2  Acts otherwise occurring in relation to the existing terms and conditions of the event(s)/tournament(s) that all players are accountable to; or
  6.5.3  Acts that contravene any applicable statutes and regulations that the Organizer must comply with.
  
  If deemed necessary, the act of misconduct will be reported to relevant gaming authorities, and legal action can or will be taken, in accordance with local laws, applicable statutes and regulations.
  
  Any authoritative member of Management (Tournament Director or upwards) has the right at all times to control, or to exclude any individual(s) acting in a disruptive or inappropriate manner, in the best interests of the players and the event.
  
  
• 6.6:   Any act by any person to deliberately (or accidentally) damage, corrupt or undermine the operation of the premises or event may be a violation of criminal and civil laws, and be dealt with as such by Management. Should such an attempt be made, Management reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent of the law. Management will inform the authorities if legal charges need to be made.


(TDA RULE #64) ETHICAL PLAY
Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result in penalties, which may include chip forfeiture and/or disqualification. Chip dumping and other forms of collusion will result in disqualification.

• 7.1:   Players are obligated to protect and respect their opponents in the tournament.
  
  
• 7.2:   At any time during a live hand, people will be expected to not show any other people at the table there hold cards. In the event that this rule is breached, players will receive a penalty. When a player has a live hand, they can however say what they are holding as part of speech play, they cannot however predict out loud what the holding of another player is when in a multi-way pot.
  
  
• 7.3:   The “one player to a hand” rule will be strictly enforced.
  
  
• 7.4:   Tournament Directors and Floor People will issue penalties for the following violations, and whether a player is involved in the hand or not, a player may NOT:
  7.4.1  Disclose contents of live or folded hands.
  7.4.2  Advise, coach or criticize play before or after the action is complete.
  7.4.3  Read a hand out loud that hasn’t been tabled.
  7.4.4  Discuss hands or strategy with any spectator during the game play or hand in motion.
  7.4.5  Seek or receive consultation from an outside source during the game play or hand in motion.


(TDA RULE #62) NO DISCLOSURE
Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Therefore, players, whether in the hand or not, may not: 1. Disclose contents of live or folded hands. 2. Advise or criticize play at any time. 3. Read a hand that hasn’t been tabled. The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced. Among others things, this rule prohibits showing a hand to or discussing strategy with another player, spectator, or advisor.

• 8.1:   Management and/or the Tournament Director or Tournament Staff may penalize any act that, in their sole and absolute discretion, is inconsistent with the official rules or best interests of the players and/or the event.
  
  
• 8.2:   A player will receive a penalty when they, knowingly or unknowingly, violate a rule that compromises the fairness of the game.
  Actions, statements and/or behavior that may take advantage of the procedures or technical rules of a fair game will incur a penalty.
  All infractions shall be brought to the immediate attention of the dealer before the start of the new deal.
  
  
• 8.3:   Tournament Directors and Floor people may issue any of the following:
  Verbal Warnings
  1 Round of the table penalty
  2 Rounds of the table penalty
  Disqualification
  
  VERBAL WARNINGS
  A verbal warning may be issued to a violating player as a penalty.
  A repeated verbal warning will result in a “1 round of the table penalty” or “disqualification.”
  
  ROUND OF THE TABLE PENALTY
  A round of the table penalty is defined as a penalty whereby the player needs to leave the tournament area for an orbit until the dealer button is back into the position in which it would be at the start of the following hand.
  For example: When the offence take place when the button is on seat 1, the offender will be able to return once the button has done the required number of table rotations and arrived back at seat 2. If seat 2 is an empty seat at that time the player may return when the button is at the first seat after seat 2.
  
  DISQUALIFICATION
  A player who is disqualified will have his or her chips removed from play.
  The player must immediately leave the tournament area.
  The Tournament Director’s decision to disqualify a player is final.
  A disqualified player cannot appeal the decision and will not be entitled to a refund.
  Disqualified players may not make any claim for monetary damages.
  
  
• 8.4:   Penalty may be waived if the dealer misled the player.
  An unintentional error is less serious than a deliberate violation, and should be ruled as such. A player shall never benefit from their violation or an error caused by their action, regardless if it was intentional or not. The Tournament Director decides if the player has the right to collect his prize money case sensitive depending on the reason of disqualification.


• 8.5:   If a player is moved to a new seat whilst on a penalty, they will not be allowed to return until they have missed a full round of the table, e.g. the player has 3 hands remaining on the penalty when moved, so he will miss a further three hands at the new table. The floor must alert the dealer at the new table so that they can better manage the situation.


(TDA RULE #66) WARNINGS, PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATION
A: Penalty options include verbal warnings, one or more “missed hands”, one or more “missed rounds”, and disqualification. Missed rounds are assessed as follows: the offender will miss one hand for every player (including him) at the table when the penalty is given multiplied by the number of penalty rounds. Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties. Players away from the table or on penalty may be anted or blinded out of a tournament.
B: A penalty may be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending, throws a card off the table, violates one-player-to-a-hand, or similar incidents occur. Penalties will be invoked for soft play, abuse, disruptive behavior, or cheating.
C: A player on penalty must be away from the table. Cards are dealt to his seat, his blinds and antes are posted, and the hand is killed after each initial deal. In stud games if he is dealt the bring-in card he must post the bring-in.
D: Chips of a disqualified player shall be removed from play.

• 9.1:   The “official language” is defined as English along with a country’s local or native language, determined by where the tournament venue is located.
  
  
• 9.2:   In the United States, the English-only rule will be enforced during the play of hands.
  Outside the US, the “official language” will be English, along with the local or native language of that country, during the play of hands.
  
  
• 9.3:   Dealers who are dealing international poker events are expected to speak English.
  
  
• 9.4:   During a live hand, the use of a foreign language, other than the tournament’s “official language,” is not permitted at the table, whether involved in the hand or not; this includes talking to players not at the table.


• 9.5:   All announcements made by the Tournament staff must be made in the tournament’s “official language.”


(TDA RULE #5) OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The English only rule will be enforced in the United States during the play of hands. At non-U.S. venues, the house will clearly post and announce acceptable language(s).

• 10.1:   International Poker Rules do not allow the use of any communication devices at the table whilst a player holds a live hand.
  
  
• 10.2:   Players must obey Management’s instructions regarding the use of electronic devices throughout the tournament. The venues do have the option to provide electronic devices to players of which have restrictions against communication capabilities, in this case players will be allowed to use these devices even when holding a live hand for playing online poker.
  
  
• 10.3:   The use of “electronic/ communication devices” whilst a player is playing a hand will be strictly enforced.
  Dealers WILL be responsible and MUST immediately report the use of a communication device when a player is playing a hand to a Floor Person or the Tournament Director.
  
  
• 10.4:   All cell phones and other voice enabled an “noise producing” devices must be turned onto silent mode during table time. Players will not be able to use phones in any way whilst holding a live hand, once the player has folded the player will be able to use the phone until they have been dealt in again.
  During the period in which players are holding live hands the players are expected to have the device face down on the edge of the table or out of sight. Any player not adhering to the rule will be open to the possibility of having a hand killed and receiving penalties.
  
  
• 10.5:   Music playing devices with any types of communication functions (Cellular phones, internet, text messaging) are allowed, but with head/earphones. Players accept the responsibility of any unheard verbal declarations and announcements made during the tournament. Players who use noise reducing headsets will be held responsible for errors or delays that disturb the flow of the tournament. Music playing devices must be used with a headset and the volume must be kept at a level that can only be heard by that player, as to not disturb others.
  
  
• 10.6:   Communication devices of players on feature tables: Players must remain off of all communication devices when sat at live streamed feature tables. Should they wish to use their phones they must leave the set of the feature table. Usage of any communication device will result in warnings and penalties.
  
  
• 10.7:   Electronic/ communication devices during hand for hand play: Once players have reached the “hand for hand” action, the “payout level,” or as instructed, all “electronic devices” may no longer be used and must be removed from the table.
  
  
• 10.8:   To avoid all doubt: Players may not speak on the telephone while at the table, whether in a hand or not, and they must step away from the table to conduct their call if it was taken.
  
  
• 10.9:   Table Distractions: Management reserves the right to ask a player to cease using any and all Electronic Devices, or any other items, if they determine it is slowing down the pace of play, or disturbing the flow of the game, or otherwise affecting other players at the tables.


(TDA RULE #4) ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND COMMUNICATION
Players may not talk on a phone at the table. Ring tones, music, etc. should be inaudible to others. House rules apply to other types of electronic devices and communication.

• 11.1:   Players are responsible to carry and present “valid identification” as required by Management (Driver’s license, passport, player’s card etc…) during the tournament.
  
  
• 11.2:   A player may not register, take their seat, or receive a payout without proper “valid identification” and verification of tournament registration.
  
  
• 11.3:   When returning for progressive days. Players will need to provide identification before they take a seat at their chip stack. If a player has no identification the floor will need to confirm that the player is expected.
  
  
• 11.4:   Any player producing a fraudulent form of identification will be subject to “disqualification.”
  

• 12.1:   A player must meet the minimum legal age requirement and must present a valid form of identification, as required by Management, at all times.
  
  
• 12.2:   Players may register until close of registration. Registration will open and close as dictated by the Venue and Management.
  
  
• 12.3:   A player will only be allowed to register one time in any tournament, unless modifications posted prior to the tournament allows players to register more than once (i.e. second day re-entry/re-register events).
  
  
• 12.4:   Players are responsible for verifying their registration receipt to ensure accuracy prior to leaving the registration window.
  
  
• 12.5:   Entries will be non-negotiable and non-transferable. Refunds are subject to Management’s discretion.
  
  
• 12.6: CANCELLATION POLICY:  Management reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, modify or suspend the tournament without prior notice, and at any time, for any valid reason, subject to all applicable regulatory approval, provided that such modification shall not materially alter or change any participant’s prize already fairly awarded. Management must address how they will compensate the remaining players, doing so with transparency and in the fairest manner possible.
  
  
• 12.7: MULTI-DAY TOURNAMENTS:  Any player who registers for multiple-day events that happen to overlap do so at their own risk, and should never affect other players or Management. A player who cannot participate in a second event simply because they are still an active player in another may request a refund for the buy-in of the event he/she is unable to play, but it is at Management’s discretion to approve a refund or not.
  

• 13.1:   When a Venue’s seating capacity dictates the need for alternates, “alternate players” will enter the tournament on a first come, first serve basis, until all alternates are seated.
  
  
• 13.2:   The management decides till when alternate players are allowed to come in to the tournament, also the management has to communicate this before the start of the tournament. Alternate players will NOT be penalized by a reduced “starting chip stack.”
  
  
• 13.3:   At the end of registration all players who have not been seated yet would be provided the choice between unregistering should they wish, or waiting for a seat, in which case it would be clearly advertised the players situation regarding number of players waiting and the number of big blinds in which they would be sat with at the moment in time.


(TDA RULE #7)
Alternates, Late Registration & Re-Entries - Alternates, players registering late, and re-entries will be sold full stacks, randomly seated at any position, and dealt in except between SB and button.

• 14.1:   Players may register until close of registration.
  
  
• 14.2:   All late entries will sit to a full chip stack. In case a new table is opened, the seating of new players will be announced, they will then be dealt in once requested to start by the floor, all announced stacks will be dealt in and blinded away.
  
  
• 14.3:   Should a player enter but not take their seat before registration closes, their stack will be put into play at the last given opportunity when registration closes. The players stack will be dealt in as a live stack paying any compulsory blinds and antes.
  
  
• 14.4:   If there are no seats with “starting chip” stacks available, a player automatically becomes an Alternate, and they will receive a full “starting chip” stack.


(TDA RULE #7)
Alternates, Late Registration & Re-Entries - Alternates, players registering late, and re-entries will be sold full stacks, randomly seated at any position, and dealt in except between SB and button.

• 15.1:   An “absent player” will maintain their obligations for blinds, antes, and forced bets. Blinds, antes, and forced bets will be taken in turn from all chip stacks regardless if the player is seated.
  
  
• 15.2:   On occasion, a situation may arise where a player may have to voluntarily leave the tournament due to unforeseen circumstances.
  15.2.1.  A player who leaves an Event at any stage, for whatever reason voluntarily, for an extended period of time (multiple tournament levels) may be deemed to have forfeited any right to the cost of entry.
  15.2.2.  The chip stack of such player will continue to be blinded off.
  15.2.3.  However, should the player finish in the money once all chips have been blinded off, the player will remain eligible for the prize, which corresponds to the order of his or her finish.
  15.2.4.  Any player that is taken out of an event by disqualification cannot claim any refunds or pay out rights (Management's decision in situations like this is final).
  
  
• 15.3:   A "No Show" is defined as any player who has not taken any hand.
  
  
• 15.4:   In special circumstances, a "No Show" player can request a refund, but it is at Management's discretion to judge whether the circumstances warrant a refund to the player.
  
  
• 15.5:   This rule does not apply to Shootout or Heads Up events. Players who "No Show" in Shootout or Heads Up events will be blinded off, including those who have pre-registered and failed to complete the registration process. It is Management’s responsibility to ensure any pre-registered player has completed the registration process, including payment.

• 16.1:   Seat 1 will always be assigned to the seat immediately left of the dealer box and continue in a clockwise direction.
  
  
• 16.2:   A non-player may NOT sit at the table or behind a player.
  
  
• 16.3:   Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly assigned.
  
  
• 16.4:   Management reserves the right to honour the request for a particular table and/or seat, to accommodate players with special needs. This is included but not limited to the so-called "Family Rule".
  
  
• 16.5: The Family Rule: 
  16.5.1.  Direct family members should be spread on different tables if possible to avoid having them playing on the same Table.
  16.5.2.  Family members can request this of Management or Staff, if this happens during the seat assignment, or after when breaking tables.
  16.5.3.  Management in its sole discretion can invoke the Family Rule, or grant a request to do so in the most appropriate manner, and in the best interests of fairness towards all players and the credibility of the event.
  16.5.4.  Direct family members can be requested to be re-assigned to different tables by Management, the Tournament Director, other players, or direct family members themselves.
  
  
• 16.6:   Players must present a copy of their tournament registration and/or a seating card, accompanied by a valid form of identification prior to taking their seat. (As requested by Venue’s policy)
  
  
• 16.7:   All players must immediately leave their seat after being eliminated from the tournament.
  
  
• 16.8:   A player who started the tournament in the wrong seat with the correct chip stack amount may be moved to the correct seat and will take his/her current total chip stack with him or her. This could also lead to a penalty.
  
  
• 16.9:   Participants who start the tournament in the wrong seat in a Shootout or Heads-up event will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• 16.10:   Tournament staff reserves the right to relocate participants from their assigned seat to accommodate participants based on special needs, or to balance tables at the start of the tournament.
  
  
• 16.11:   Tournament Staff can avoid direct family members being seated at the same table at the time of the random seat assignment by redrawing direct family members.


(TDA RULE #6) RANDOM CORRECT SEATING
Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly assigned. A player who started the tournament in the wrong seat with the correct chip stack amount will be moved to the correct seat and will take his current total chip stack with him.

(TDA RULE #8) SPECIAL NEEDS
Accommodations for players with special physical needs will be made when possible.

Freezeout: In this format of tournament, the players will only be allowed one buy in. Once a player has lost their chips they will be eliminated.

Re-Entry: In this format of tournament, it is similar to that of a freezeout in that once a player has lost their chips the player is eliminated, however if eliminated during the late registration period the player will be allowed to re-enter for the amount of an original entry. The maximum number of re-entries can vary and will be advertised before the event has begun. Upon re-entry the Tournament Director will provide the player with a new randomly assigned seat away from their previous table, wherever possible.

Unlimited-Rebuy: This form of tournament allows players to rebuy as many times as they like, players will be allowed to rebuy if they have less than a specific amount of stack. The required stack for a rebuy and the maximum number of rebuys available can vary and will be advertised before the start of the event. The Rebuy period will be completed with a last 3 hands at the end of the advertised level. At the last rebuy break players will have the option of an Add-On (double in some cases) & further rebuys if eligible. Whenever a player lost all the chips the player should decide before the start of the new hand to rebuy or not. In case a player misses a hand the player will be eliminated. A re-entry is not possible in rebuy formats.

Limited Rebuy / Reload: These tournaments allow players the option of having a rebuy or two(as advertised) at the table no matter the size of the stack. There will be an advertised period of the tournament of which will allow the rebuy(s) to take place. Generally these tournaments will also allow a re-entry.

• 17.1:   During a “re -buy” tournament, a player must always have chips on the table and must always be dealt a hand, as not to miss a hand due to a re-buy.
  
  
• 17.2:   If a player runs out of chips during the “re -buy” period, the player must “re -buy” or declare a “re -buy” before the start of the “new deal.”
  
  
• 17.3:   If a player announces the intent to “re -buy” before a “new deal” begins, that player is deemed to be playing with those chips, and is obligated to make the “re -buy.”
  
  
• 17.4:   If the player bets an amount to include chips from the intended “re -buy,” the player must present the funds before action can be completed.
  
  
• 17.5:  If the tournament has an add-on option, players may only add on during the period as prescribed by Management.
  
  
• 17.6:   Whenever a player busts in a re-entry tournament he or she can make a re-entry during the re-entry period. The management must communicate before the start of the tournament how long the re-entry period will be.
  
  
• 17.7:   Whenever a player has a re-entry the management will seat this player randomly.


(TDA RULE #26) RE-BUYS
Players may not miss a hand. If a player declares intent to rebuy before a hand, he is playing chips behind and must make the re-buy.

• 18.1:   Cards will be dealt in a clockwise direction, left to right, with the first card going to the first player directly left of the dealer button position.
  
  
• 18.2:   All chip stacks at the table will be dealt a hand, regardless if a player is seated or not.
  
  
• 18.3:   A “new deal” is defined as the first riffle made by the dealer or when the dealer’s has pressed the open button on the automated shuffle machine.
  
  
• 18.4:   In the event of a dealer push and a new hand, the hand starts when a new dealer takes place in his or her seat.


(TDA RULE #22) NEW HAND & NEW LIMITS
A new level will not be announced until the clock reaches zero. The new level applies to the next hand. A hand begins on the first riffle, push of the shuffler button, or on the dealer push.

• 19.1:   In certain situations, a dealer error will cause a “misdeal.”
  
  
• 19.2:   If a “misdeal” is declared, all bets will be returned to players, and all action is deemed invalid.
  
  
• 19.3:   The following circumstance can/will be cause for a “misdeal,” if during the initial deal:
  19.3.1.  The first or second cards dealt off of the deck have been dealt face up or exposed through dealer error.
  19.3.2.  The dealer has exposed two or more cards.
  19.3.3.  BOXED CARD (A boxed card is a card discovered wrongly shuffled face up in the deck when it should be face down.)
  19.3.4.  More than two improperly faced cards are found.
  19.3.5.  Two or more extra cards have been dealt on the initial deal.
  19.3.6.  An incorrect number of cards have been dealt to a player, with the exception of the top card. The top card may be dealt if a player receives it in proper sequence and it can be returned to the deck.
  19.3.7.  Any card is dealt out of the proper sequence (except an exposed card may be used as the burn card).
  19.3.8.  Anytime a player’s initial card has been mixed with another player’s card.
  19.3.9.  The dealer button is out of position and noticed before action has begun.
  19.3.10.  The first card is dealt to the wrong position.
  19.3.11.  Cards have been dealt to an empty seat or a player not entitled to a hand.
  19.3.12.  A player has been dealt out who is entitled to a hand.
  19.3.13.  Any card is dealt off the table.
  
  
• 19.4:   Once action has occurred, a “misdeal” cannot be declared.
  
  In Flop games, action is considered to occur when two players after the big blind have acted.
  When a player has one or three or more cards in a two card game and the situation is binding the hand is a dead hand. Management can, in certain situations for reasons of fairness, look into the investment made into that pot and overrule to adjust a decision.
  
  Players may be dealt two consecutive cards on the button.
  
  In Stud-type games, If any of the players’ two down cards are exposed due to dealer error it is a misdeal.
  If the dealer mistakenly deals the first player an extra card (after all players have received their initial hands,) the extra card will be returned to the deck and used for the burn card.
  If the dealer mistakenly deals more than one extra card, it is a 'misdeal.'
  
  IN STUD-TYPE GAMES, substantial action is considered to occur when two players after the forced bet have acted in turn. If substantial action occurs, a misdeal cannot be declared and the hand must proceed.
  
  
• 19.5:   Omaha and various picked or dealer Choice games. This includes, but is not limited to Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi-Lo or other similar (4,5,6) card game with extension of dealers choice variations.
  19.5.1.  When more or less cards have been dealt towards any player at any seat a misdeal will be announced with one exception, when the last player is one card short this player will be dealt the top card of the deck and the hand will continue as normal.
  19.5.2.  Players are always obligated and held accountable at all times to familiarize themselves with the game they play before they start playing. Players will be 100% responsible to make sure they do have the correct amount of cards in any hand to play.
  19.5.3.  In case a player has the incorrect amount of cards and action has occurred this players hand will be declared dead. The player has no right to refunds.
  
  
• 19.6:   Crazy Pineapple games.
  19.6.1.  In case any player has more than three cards and action has already been made, the player with the incorrect number of cards will be declared a dead hand. (with exception when the last player being dealt cards finds out preflop and before he makes action one card is missing. This player receives the top card op the deck).
  19.6.2.  In case no action took place and a player finds out to have not the right amount of cards.
       19.6.2.1  In case any player has more than three cards, the hand will be declared a misdeal.
       19.6.2.2  In case the last player on the table misses one card, this player receives the top card of the deck.
  19.6.3.  In case a player finds out to have only one or two cards and action has already been made this player has the right to play this hand like it is a complete hand and continue game with only one or two cards.
  19.6.4.  Whenever a player finds out having the incorrect number of cards this player is obligated to inform the dealer when this player folds or when the hand has ended and the player won the pot. A player does not have to inform the dealer during the hand, so players can take advantage of this situation.
  19.6.5.  In cards missing situations management decision will always be final.
  19.6.6.  Dealers are obligated to call the floor at any time when a cards missing situation occurs.


(TDA RULE #34) MISDEALS
A: Misdeals include but are not necessarily limited to: 1) 2 or more boxed cards on the initial deal; 2) first card dealt to the wrong seat; 3) cards dealt to a seat not entitled to a hand; 4) a seat entitled to a hand is dealt out; 5) In stud, if any of the first 2 down cards are exposed by dealer error; 6) In flop games, if either of the first 2 cards dealt off the deck or any other 2 downcards are exposed by dealer error. House standards apply for draw games (ex: lowball).
B: Players may be dealt 2 consecutive cards on the button.
C: In a misdeal, the re-deal is an exact re-play: the button does not move, no new players are seated, and limits stay the same. Cards are dealt to players on penalty or who were not at their seats for the original deal, then their hands are killed. The original deal and re-deal count as one hand for a player on penalty, not two.
D: Once substantial action occurs a misdeal cannot be declared; the hand must proceed (See Rule 35).

• 20.1:   A deck of 52 cards will be used in tournament play.
  
  
• 20.2:   If any marked or damaged cards are discovered, the complete deck must be changed, and Management must be informed immediately.
  
  
• 20.3:   When a new deck is required, the floor must be made aware instantly so that they can provide it for you. All floor persons must carry a spare deck at all times to improve the speed of response.
  
  
• 20.4:   For tables with two decks available: Those card decks will have different colored backs and will be changed on the dealer push, level change, or as prescribed by Management.
  
  
• 20.5:   The international suit ranking from highest to lowest: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs.
  
  
  
• 20.6:   When a new table begins, the dealer must always check the deck to be sure that all cards are present and unmarked before the game begins.

• 21.1:   “Deck changes” will or can occur on the dealer push, level change, or as prescribed by Management.
  
  
• 21.2:   Dealers will spread the deck to ensure that the card deck is complete and correct when changing decks.
  
  
• 21.3:   Players may not ask for “deck changes” unless cards are damaged, incomplete, or fouled in anyway.

  
  (TDA RULE #25) DECK CHANGES
  Deck changes will be on the dealer push or level changes or as prescribed by the house. Players may not ask for deck changes.

• 22.1:   If at any time during a hand, a card deck is found to have too few or too many cards, a different color back or two cards of the same suit and rank, it will be deemed a “fouled deck” and the hand will be declared a “misdeal.”
  All bets will be returned to players, and all previous action in that hand deemed invalid.
  
  
• 22.2:   Any player knowing or noticing, that the deck is defective, has an obligation to immediately bring this to the attention of the dealer.
  A player using this information in an unfair way will be subject to a penalty or disqualification.
  The dealer must report this immediately to Management.
  
  
• 22.3:   Players intentionally producing a “fouled deck” will be disqualified from the tournament.
  
  
• 22.4:   Players should be careful not to bend the cards in order to avoid marking them with their nails (or in any other way)unintentionally.
  
  
• 22.5:   Should a hand commence only for the dealer to then realize that there were not 52 cards in the deck at the point of shuffle, the hand will be void no matter how much action has taken place.

• 23.1:   Players must keep their cards on the table and in full view at all times, above table-level and never past the edge or rail of the table.
  
  
• 23.2:   Cards should not be covered by a player’s hand in a manner that completely conceals them.
  Players doing so may forfeit any right to action, and may be penalized, including the possibility of having their hand declared dead.
  
  
• 23.3:   Players may be permitted to use a card protector object (card cap), as long as it does not interfere with the visibility of anyone’s cards or chip stack at the table.
  Management reserves the right to dictate the size and object appropriate for use as a card protector.
  
  
• 23.4:   There will be no foreign objects on the table except for a maximum of one card protector/card cap. This includes foreign gaming chips.
  Electronic Devices are also not permitted to be placed on the table or on the rail. Participants may not place any food or beverages on the poker table with the exception of one (1) capped bottle of water.

  
  (TDA RULE #24) CARDS & CHIPS KEPT VISIBLE, COUNTABLE & MANAGABLE.
  Discretionary color-ups. A: Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of an opponent’s chip count; thus chips should be kept in countable stacks.
  The TDA recommends clean stacks in multiples of 20 as a standard.
  Players must keep higher denomination chips visible and identifiable at all times.
  B: TDs will control the number and denomination of chips in play and may color up at their discretion.
  Discretionary color ups are to be announced.
  C: Players with live hands must keep their cards in plain view at all times.

• 24.1:   A player is responsible to protect their cards at all times.
  A protected hand is defined as a hand sitting on the table surface with a card cap placed on the top of the hand or when the cards are totally behind the betting line in the safe zone.
  When the cards are not totally behind the betting line with or without a card cap, the player takes the risk that the dealer could fold his cards in the muck. In this situation the hand is folded.
  If a dealer accidentally kills a “protected hand”, the Floor Staff should be notified immediately, and it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• 24.2:   If a dealer accidentally kills “unprotected cards,” a player will have no redress and will NOT be entitled to a refund of bets.
  However, if that player had raised and the raise had not yet been called, the raise will be returned to that player.
  On occasion, a Floor Person or the Tournament Director, at their sole discretion, may rule that unusual circumstances may have occurred and the ruling may dictate a decision in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rule.

  
  (TDA RULE #60) ACCIDENTALLY KILLED/FOULED HANDS
  A player must protect his hand at all times, including at showdown while waiting for the hand to be read.
  If the dealer kills a hand by mistake or if in TDs judgement a hand is fouled and cannot be identified to 100% certainty, the player has no redress and is not entitled to a refund of called bets.
  If the player initiated a bet or raise and hasn’t been called, the uncalled amount will be returned to him.
  If a hand is fouled but can be identified, it remains in play despite cards exposed in the process.

• 25.1:   “Seat cards” will be randomly assigned.
  
  
• 25.2:   The Tournament Director reserves the right to issue a player a “Seat cards” in the event they need to “balance tables,” “break tables,” or “redraw seats.”
  
  
• 25.3:   When a player is eliminated, the dealer is responsible to place the “Seat cards” on the table and notify a Floor Person or the Tournament Director, in a timely manner.
  
  
• 25.4:   The management can decide to make a redraw, only for seats that block the "family rule".

• 26.1:   Players are to go immediately to the new table they are assigned to.
  
  
• 26.2:   Players going from a broken table to fill in seats assume the rights and responsibilities of that position.
  
  
• 26.3:   Players may be placed in the big blind, the small blind, or the dealer button position.
  The only place the newly moved player will not get a hand is if he/she is assigned to sit between the small blind and the “dealer button.”
  
  
• 26.4:   Players may not hold or transport tournament chips in any manner that takes them out of plain view.
  Tournament chips should never be transported without Management’s supervision
  
  
• 26.5:   Players delaying or avoiding their move to the new table/seat assignment will incur a penalty, as it will be considered “dodging blinds.”
  
  
• 26.6:   The breaking order of tables for an event will be posted by Management in a location accessible to all players after the close of registration, and within a reasonable timeframe. The management has the right to change the breaking order for special contingencies.
  
  
• 26.7:   The table to which a participant is moved to will be specified by a predetermined procedure.
  
  
• 26.8:   Management reserves the right to alter the breaking order due to unusual circumstances.

• 27.1:   The Tournament Director reserves the right to “re-draw seats” by issuing randomly assigned “seat cards.”
  
  
• 27.2:   Redraws in single day events will only take place when they arrive at the point of the final two tables and Final. The Redraw will be performed by the Tournament Director assigning seats to clockwise of the dealer after he shuffled the seating cards.
  
  
• 27.3:   Redraws in multiday events will take place overnight and when they arrive at the point of last two tables and the Final Table. Overnight and Final Table Redraws will be performed by the Tournament Director. Knowledge of overnight redraws will be made available at the earliest opportunity.

• 28.1:   Players going from a broken table, to fill in seats, assume the rights and responsibilities of their new position on their new table: (button, small blind, big blind.)
  
  
• 28.2:   New players are dealt in immediately unless they are seated between the small blind and the “dealer button.”
  They can be seated in the big blind, the small blind, or the “dealer button” position.
  The only place they cannot get a hand is between the small blind and the dealer button.
  
  
• 28.3:   The breaking order for any tournament will be made available to all players when registration for that tournament is closed.
  
  
• 28.4:   Management reserves the right to alter the breaking order.
  
  
• 28.5:   Tables will be broken by single randomization.
  The floorman/tournament director will shuffle the seating cards and deal the seating cards starting in Seat 1 in a clockwise direction.
  
  
• 28.6:   Players are responsible for going directly to their new seats. A player who violates this rule will receive a penalty. Disqualification is possible for this violation.

  
  (TDA RULE #9) BREAKING TABLES
  Players from a broken table will be assigned new tables and seats by a 2-step random process.
  They can get any seat including a blind or button and be dealt in except between the small blind and button.
  See Illustration Addendum.
  Rule 9: Breaking Tables, 2-Step Random Process.
  A 2-step random or “double-blind” process assures that there is no favoritism in distributing new seat assignments.
  An example of one such process: 1) show players at the breaking table the new seat cards then scramble the cards face down and form a stack;
  2) the dealer then deals one playing card face up to each player.
  The seat cards are then dealt out with the first seat card going to the player with the highest playing card by suit showing.

• 29.1:   The Tournament Director reserves the right to determine the number of players at each table in order to keep the tables reasonably balanced.
  
  
• 29.2:   Players will be transferred / moved as needed.
  •   In Board playing / Flop games, the player who is next to post the big blind will be moved to the short handed table.
    The player will be placed in the big blind position or, if not available, the WORST possible position available at the new table.
    The worst possible position is defined as the position closest to posting the big blind, which will never be the small blind.
  •   In Stud games, players will be moved by position; the last seat to open up at the short table is the seat to be filled.
  
  
• 29.3:   In button ante formats, the worst possible position will be ranked as:
  
  
  
  
• 29.4:   Play will halt on any table that is 3 or more players short of the maximum unless circumstances allow. Circumstances that allow include:
  •   Tables are balanced, in which case the ante will be reduced to the value of the small blind on all tables and play continues.
  •   In a scenario where a balanced player could not be dealt into the next hand.
  
  
• 29.5:   In certain situations, when the tournament is to be balanced to within 1 player, tables not balanced must halt play until the unbalanced table has been re-balanced.
  
  
• 29.6:   When tables need balancing, the floor will do so from a table in close proximity, the table will be decided based on which finishes their current hand first.
  
  
• 29.7:   In flop and mixed events when balancing tables, the participant who will be the big blind next will be moved from the big blind to the worst position, including taking a single big blind.
  Worst position is never the small blind.
  In stud only events, participants will be moved by position (the last seat to open up at the short table is the seat to be filled).
  
  
• 29.8:   In mixed events (i.e. HORSE), when the game shifts from Hold’em to Stud, after the last Hold’em hand the button is moved exactly to the position it would be if the next hand was Hold’em and then frozen there during the Stud round.
  The participant moved during Stud is the participant who is the big blind if the game is Hold’em for that hand.
  When Hold'em resumes, the button for the first hand will be at the position where it was frozen.

  
  (TDA RULE #10) BALANCING TABLES
  A: To balance tables In flop and mixed games, the player who will be big blind next is moved to the worst position, including taking a single big blind when available, even if that means the seat will have the big blind twice.
  Worst position is never the small blind.
  In stud-only events, players will be moved by position, (the last seat to open at the short table is the seat filled).
  B: In mixed games (ex: HORSE), when the game shifts from hold’em to stud, after the last hold’em hand the button is moved exactly to the position it would be if the next hand was hold’em and then is frozen there during the stud round.
  The player moved during stud is the player who would be the big blind if the game was hold’em for that hand.
  When hold'em resumes the button for the first hand will be at the position where it was frozen.
  C: The table from which a player is moved will be specified by a predetermined procedure.
  D: In full-table events, play will halt on a table 3 or more players short of the table with the most players.
  Play will halt on other game formats (ex:6-handed and turbos) at TDs discretion.
  Not halting play is not a cause for a misdeal and TDs may elect not to halt play at their discretion.
  As the event progresses, when manageable & appropriate for the type of game, at TDs discretion tables will be more tightly balanced.

• 30.1:   Non-value chips are used for tournament play and may NOT be removed from the tournament area.
  
  
• 30.2:   Tournament chips are solely used to determine the outcome of the tournament.
  
  
• 30.3:   All chips must be clearly visible at all times during the tournament.
  
  
• 30.4:   Chips should not be stacked in a manner that interferes with the dealing or the visibility of any player’s cards.
  
  
• 30.5:   Participants found to be transferring chips from one event to another, or from one participant to another, will be subject to disqualification in accordance with the International Poker Rules.
  
  
• 30.6:   Any unintended violation will not be penalized in the same manner as any intended violation, but the appropriate penalties will be Management’s decision, and they are binding.
  
  
• 30.7:   Chips should be stacked in a manner that shows their estimated value transparently. International Poker Rules adviced to make stacks of 10 or 20 to give each player and dealer a clean view on each stack on the table to keep the game moving smooth.

  
  (TDA RULE #24) CARDS & CHIPS KEPT VISIBLE, COUNTABLE & MANAGABLE.
  Discretionary color-ups. A: Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of an opponent’s chip count; thus chips should be kept in countable stacks.
  The TDA recommends clean stacks in multiples of 20 as a standard.
  Players must keep higher denomination chips visible and identifiable at all times.
  B: TDs will control the number and denomination of chips in play and may color up at their discretion.
  Discretionary color ups are to be announced.
  C: Players with live hands must keep their cards in plain view at all times.
  
  (TDA RULE #55) COUNT OF OPPONENT'S CHIP STACK
  Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of opponents’ chip stacks (Rule 24).
  A player may only request a more precise count if the action is on him and he faces an all-in bet.
  The all-in player is not required to count; on request the dealer or floor will count it.
  Accepted action applies (See Rule 49).
  The visible and countable chipstack rule (Rule 24) greatly helps accuracy in counting.

• 30.1:   At the start of the tournament, the appropriate amount of “starting chips” will be placed at each seat.
  
  
• 30.2:   At close of registration, any unsold seat’s “starting chip stack” will be removed and chips will be taken out of play.
  
  
• 30.3:   Late registering players will receive a full starting stack.

• 32.1:   All chips must be clearly visible at all times during the tournament. The International Poker Rules advice to make stacks of 10 or 20 to give each player and dealer a clean view at each stack on the table to keep the game moving smooth.
  
  
• 32.2:   Players may not hold or transport tournament chips in any manner that takes them out of plain view. A player, who does so, may be subject to disqualification. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play. (Management’s decision is final.)
  
  
• 32.3:   Players must keep their higher denomination chips in a separate stack, either in front or on top of their chip stack.
  
  
• 32.4:   All players are entitled to a clear view of an opponent’s chips.

  
  (TDA RULE #24) CARDS & CHIPS KEPT VISIBLE, COUNTABLE & MANAGABLE.
  Discretionary color-ups. A: Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of an opponent’s chip count; thus chips should be kept in countable stacks.
  The TDA recommends clean stacks in multiples of 20 as a standard.
  Players must keep higher denomination chips visible and identifiable at all times.
  B: TDs will control the number and denomination of chips in play and may color up at their discretion.
  Discretionary color ups are to be announced.
  C: Players with live hands must keep their cards in plain view at all times.
  
  (TDA RULE #47) CHIPS IN TRANSIT
  Players may not hold or transport tournament chips in any manner that takes them out of view. A player who does so will forfeit the chips and may be disqualified. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play

• 33.1:   When the lowest denomination of chip will no longer be used in the blind or ante structure, they will be removed from the tournament.
  
  
• 33.2:   All lower-denomination chips will be exchanged or “coloured up” for chips of the next lowest denomination that will be used in play.
  
  
• 33.3:   The “tournament staff” will announce the “colour up” process. The “colour up” will be done on all tables, and only at the time as prescribed on the tournament structure sheet.
  
  
• 33.4:   The “colour up” process will begin at the end of a level, prior to the new level. Players are to present their lower denomination chips to the dealer for exchange.
  
  
• 33.5:   Any remaining “odd chip” will be entered into the “chip race.”
  
  
• 33.6:   Players are encouraged to witness the entire “colour up” process.
  
  
• 33.7:   Management may request players for earlier colour up support in order to speed up the flow of the event, and to keep the chip count clearer and more transparent to all participants.

  
  (TDA RULE #23) CHIP RACE, SCHEDULED COLOR UPS
  A: At scheduled color-ups, chips will be raced off starting in seat 1, with a maximum of one chip awarded to a player.
  Players can’t be raced out of play: a player losing his last chip(s) in a race will get 1 chip of the lowest denomination still in play.
  B: Players must have their chips fully visible and are encouraged to witness the chip race.
  C: If after the race, a player still has chips of a removed denomination, they will be exchanged for current denominations only at equal value.
  Chips of removed denominations that do not fully total at least the smallest denomination still in play will be removed without compensation.

• 34.1:   A “chip race” or “chip-race-off” is defined as removal of a denomination of chips that will be no longer in use at the next level of the event in progress.
  
  
• 34.2:   A “chip race”” will occur after each “colour up” process.
  
  
• 34.3:   When it is time to “colour up” the chips, they will be raced off with a maximum of one chip going to the participant showing the highest card. The total of odd chips on the table will depend how many next denomination chips will be rewarded to players with high cards. The total denomination chips on the table will always be rounded up towards the player favour. (For example: 325 will be 4 one hundred chips). In case there is only one player with a 25 chip, he is rewarded a one hundred chip. Cards will be dealt in a clockwise direction, starting in the Seat 1.
  A player will receive all his/her cards before any cards are dealt to the next player.
  A player will receive one card face up, for each “odd chip” in their possession.
  A chip will be awarded to the player based on their single highest card.
  
  
• 34.4:   If players receive a card of identical value, “suit ranking” will apply.
  
  
• 34.5:   A player cannot win more than one chip during the “chip race.”
  
  
• 34.6:   A player cannot be raced out of a tournament: a player who loses his or her remaining chip(s) in a “chip race” will be given one chip of the lowest denomination chips still in play.
  
  
• 34.7:   Players are encouraged to witness the “chip race.”
  
  
• 34.8:   Participants found to have lower denomination chips still remaining in their stack after the race-off will forfeit those chips.

  
  (TDA RULE #23) CHIP RACE, SCHEDULED COLOR UPS.
  A: At scheduled color-ups, chips will be raced off starting in seat 1, with a maximum of one chip awarded to a player.
  Players can’t be raced out of play: a player losing his last chip(s) in a race will get 1 chip of the lowest denomination still in play.
  B: Players must have their chips fully visible and are encouraged to witness the chip race.
  C: If after the race, a player still has chips of a removed denomination, they will be exchanged for current denominations only at equal value.
  Chips of removed denominations that do not fully total at least the smallest denomination still in play will be removed without compensation.

• 35.1:   A “dealer button” will be used in all board playing /flop games.
  
  
• 35.2:   A “dealer button” is a round disk placed in front of the player to indicate the position of the dealer.
  
  
• 35.3:   The “dealer button” will move in a clockwise direction at the end of a hand to the next player.
  
  
• 35.4:   In certain situations, the “dealer button” will be deemed a “dead button.”
  
  
• 35.5:   It is the responsibility of each player, along with the dealer, to ensure that the dealer button is in the correct position.
  
  
• 35.6:   In Board playing / Flop games, the player with the “dealer button” is last to receive a card on the initial deal and has the right of last action after the first round of betting.
  
  
• 35.7:   The dealer button will start all tournaments in seat 1.
  
  
• 35.8:   In case a player is not drawn in seat 1 at the start of the tournament the button will be moved backwards one position to keep the blinds in the same position.

• 36.1:   Tournament play will use a “dead button.”
  
  
• 36.2:   A “dead button.” is defined as a “dealer button” that cannot be advanced due to elimination of the small blind in the previous hand.
  
  
• 36.3:   A “dead button.” will occur when a new player is seated between the small blind and the “dealer button”, or when the dealer button is moved in front of an empty seat.
  
  
• 36.4:   When a “dead button.” situation is present, the “dealer button” will be moved in such a way as to allow the maximum number of players to be dealt in, provided that the existing player is still able to post a full set of blinds, prior to receiving the dealer button. This rule does not apply when the button ante is used during a tournament.
  
  
• 36.5:   When using button ante rules, players can also be introduced on the button when balancing of tables takes place if it is ruled as the worst available position. See Rule 29.5

  
  (TDA RULE #31) DEAD BUTTON.
  Tournament play will use a “dead button.”

• 37.1:   When heads-up, the small blind will be in the “dealer button” position and the first to act before the flop.
  After the flop the first to act is the original big blind player.
  In heads up play the last card will always be dealt to the button player.
  
  
• 37.2:   When beginning heads-up play the “dealer button” may need to be adjusted to ensure that no player takes the big blind twice in a row.

  
  (TDA RULE #33) BUTTON IN HEADS UP.
  In heads-up play, the small blind is on the button and acts first pre-flop and last on all other betting rounds. The last card is dealt to the button.
  When beginning heads-up play, the button may need to be adjusted to ensure no player takes the big blind twice in a row.

• 38.1:   In board playing /flop games, if a button has been moved twice in a clockwise direction, and substantial action has taken place the hand will be played out to completion. Following the hand the button will move back one position and then after the next hand it will move forward 2 positions so that all players have played the required positions on the orbit. If the blinds increase in the meantime, the new blinds will be adhered to.
  
  
• 38.2:   If a button has not been moved but the hand has begun with sufficient action taking place, the hand will played to completion. Following the hand the button will continue to move clockwise around the table.

• 39.1:   “Blinds” should be posted before the start of a “new deal” and before the players look at their cards. (Dealers should encourage players to place their blinds in time to avoid misunderstandings.)
  
  
• 39.2:   “Blinds” will be taken in turn from all chip stacks regardless if the player is seated.
  In Board playing / Flop games that require two blinds, the small blind will be immediately left of the “dealer button” and the big blind will be 2 positions left of the “dealer button.”
  In games that require an “bring in,” the bring in will be posted by the low or high card according to suit.
  If a player is not seated, he/she will maintain their obligation for the Ante.
  
  
• 39.3:   Tournament Staff has the option to use ‘button antes’ in their tournament structure to speed up the game and to minimize the amount of small chips at the tables.
  39.3.1.  The ante is posted by only the player in the dealer button position.
  39.3.2.  In the latter stages of a tournament when tables become short-handed, so long as the tables are balanced, as soon as a table qualifies for reduced small blind antes, then all remaining tables will reduce their blinds together. This will be clearly announced by the Tournament Director.
  39.3.3.  When a player is all in on the button for an ante or less, all they can win back is the ante.
  39.3.4.  If a player moves all in from any other position than the button, then they will be able to win both the ante and all matching bets.
  39.3.5.  When play reaches Heads Up, there is no Ante.
  39.3.6.  In case the Small Blind position busts out the tournament there will be a dead button. In this case there will be no button Ante during the hand.
  39.3.7.  Size of button ante:
  9 or 10 max play:
  When 7-9 handed, the button ante is equal to the size of the Big Blind.
  When 3-6 handed, the button ante is equal to the size of the Small Blind.
  8 max play:
  When 6-8 handed, the button ante is equal to the size of the Big Blind.
  When 3-5 handed, the button ante is equal to the size of the Small Blind.
  6 max play:
  The button ante is equal to the size of the Small Blind.
  
  
• 39.4:   Tournament Staff has the option to use ‘Big Blind antes’ in their tournament structure to speed up the game and to minimize the amount of small chips at the tables
  39.4.1.  The Big Blind ante will always be posted by the player situated in the big blind position.
  39.4.2.  The value of the big blind ante is always equal to the value of the big blind.
  39.4.3.  The ante will always hold priority over the big blind. This may consist of hands taking place with a Big Blind of which is not to the full amount of that expected.
  39.4.4.  In situations where a player is unable to cover the cost of the Big Blind, to call the other players will still be expected to call the full advertised Big Blind amount until a raise takes place.
  39.4.5.  Should a player on the Big Blind & Ante position be all-in for just the value of an ante or less, should they win they will receive only the ante back as reward.

• 40.1:   A player must go directly to their new seating assignment to ensure he/she does not miss a hand.
  
  
• 40.2:   When moving from a seat, a player who intentionally delays taking their new seat to avoid their blind(s) or antes will be penalized.
  
  
• 40.3:   Management reserves the right to impose penalties according to the severity of the situation, and in the interests of fairness for all participants. See Rule 1.1

  
  (TDA RULE #32) DODGING BLINDS
  Players who intentionally dodge any blind when moving from a broken table will incur a penalty.

• 41.1:   “Tournament staff” will announce the level change and “new limits,” once time has expired.
  
  
• 41.2:   Players are obligated to notify the “Tournament staff” if level changes and/or “new limits” have started.
  
  
• 41.3:   The “new limits” will apply to the next hand, on the “new deal,” after the announcement is made.
  
  
• 41.4:   A “new deal” is defined as the first riffle made by the dealer or when the dealer’s cut is made after removing the cards from an automated shuffle machine. In case of a “dealerpush” the new deals begins when a new dealer takes place in his or her seat.

  
  (TDA RULE #22) NEW HAND & NEW LIMITS.
  A new level will not be announced until the clock reaches zero. The new level applies to the next hand.
  A hand begins on the first riffle, push of the shuffler button, or on the dealer push.

• 42.1:   “AT” your seat is defined as being within reach or touch of your chair. (In case of doubt, Management’s decision is final.)
  
  
• 42.2:   “IN” your seat is defined as being seated in your chair, with the exception of allowing a player to temporarily stand up.
  
  
• 42.3:   A player must be “AT” his or her seat when the dealer delivers the first card off the deck in order to have a live hand.
  A player must be “IN” their seat by the time the last card is dealt, which completes the initial deal.
  (When the last card is dealt to the player with the 'dealer button,' it defines the completion of the initial deal.)
  A player NOT “IN” their seat will have a “dead hand.”
  •   In Board playing / Flop games, a player must be “AT” their seat when the dealer delivers the first card off the deck in order to have a live hand.
  •   In Seven-card and Razz type games, a player must be “IN” their seat by the time the last player receives their final UP card, which defines the completion of the initial deal.
  
  
• 42.4:   Dealers are instructed to muck the hands of players not 'IN' or 'AT' his or her seat immediately after the final card is dealt to the button, or in Stud Games, the final up card is dealt on third street.
  
  
• 42.5:   A player must remain “IN” his/her seat until their action has been completed.
  A player LEAVING their seat before completing their action will be considered to have intentionally folded out of turn and will receive a penalty.
  Dealers will be responsible to notify a Floor Person and/or the Tournament Director of any player with a live hand who intentionally leaves their seat prior to completing their action.
  Repeated infractions are subject to escalating penalties.
  
  
• 42.6:   Players who have completed their action and are awaiting an opponent(s) action will not have to remain “IN” their seat, but must remain “AT” the seat. (Venue's policy will apply in situations, which involve filming, televised events or other exceptions.)

  
  (TDA RULE #29) AT YOUR SEAT.
  A Player must be at his seat when the first card is dealt on the initial deal or he will have a dead hand.
  A player not then at his seat is dealt in, he may not look at his cards, and the hand is immediately killed after the initial deal.
  His blinds and antes are posted and if dealt the bring-in card in a stud-type game he will post the bring-in*.
  A player must be at his seat to call time.
  “At your seat” means within reach of your chair. This rule is not intended to condone players being out of their seats while involved in a hand.
  [*Note: In stud, house rules may require additional card(s) be dealt to the killed hand in certain situations.]

• 43.1:   The surface area of a table outside the “betting line” is considered the “safe zone.”
  
  
• 43.2:   “safe zone” are to be a player’s personal responsibility.
  
  
• 43.3:   Dealers will NOT take cards from the “safe zone” when a player is involved in a hand or present at the table.
  
  
• 43.4:   Dealers should not count any chips in the “safe zone”, unless the chips are part of a current bet.
  
  
• 43.5:   Players are not allowed to touch cards or chips placed in other players’ safe zones, and if requested by a player the dealer will ask permission from the player to do so first. Players may reject this request. In the event that a player repeatedly slows down the game the player could receive an etiquette penalty.
  
  
• 43.6:   A player’s safe zone is designated as the space directly in front of him/her on the table. This is the area a player should place his/her cards and chips.
  
  
• 43.7:   Management should provide enough seating space for each player within the dynamics of the event, with a maximum seating of 10 players at each table for any International event.

• 44.1:   A “betting line” is defined as the line that shows players and dealers very clearly the working space of the dealer and the personal space of the player.
  Dealers have the inside of the betting line known as the field to work with, and no player is allowed to interfere in that space.
  The dealer will collect Antes, bets, place the board cards (flop-turn-river), as well as the mucked cards pile.
  The dealer will control all action inside the betting line at all times.
  
  
• 44.2:   For a bet to stand without verbal declaration, chips must cross the betting line in one motion and touch the surface.
  
  
• 44.3:   Should a player facing a bet pick up his stack and forward motion across the line and drop an amount of chips not amounting to the whole amount in the hand, only the chip(s) dropped in one motion will stand whether it be a calling or raising amount.
  In case the dealer feels the player is doing this to gain knowledge the floor must be called, etiquette warnings/penalties could be awarded in such cases.
  
  
• 44.4:   If an amount of chips cross the line and touch the surface as a whole, the whole amount must stand even if the intention was to cut off a bet and take some back.
  
  
• 44.5:   In the event a player makes a forward motion with chips (off the felt) across the line and not complete his action by releasing, the floor staff will consider penalizing the player with etiquette penalties for abusing the rule to pick up additional knowledge.
  
  
• 44.6:   Cards released in a forward motion, inside and over the “betting line” face down will be considered a “folded hand,” unless the player is in a “showdown” situation with an “all in” player. Then these cards should be tabled.
  This is NOT optional.
  
  
• 44.7:   Cards placed outside the “betting line,” in the will be considered a live hand. When a player is seated, the dealer will not take cards from outside the “betting line.”(Named the “safe zone”)
  
  
• 44.8:   A “betting line” is considered a courtesy line and provides a defined area of action. Management is strongly encouraged to use betting line rules on events that have betting lines on their tables.
  
  
• 44.9:   Management is obligated to provide ALL tables with a betting line, in order to meet the standards required by International Poker Rules and of events run with I P Rules. Management should avoid using a mix of tables with and without betting lines. Consistency is the objective, creating an environment of fairness for ALL players.

  
  (TDA RULE #14) LIVE CARDS AT SHOWDOWN.
  Discarding non-tabled cards face down does not automatically kill them; a player may change his mind and table his cards if they remain 100% identifiable.
  Cards are killed by the dealer when pushed into the muck.

• 45.1:   It is the player’s responsibility to protect their hand while awaiting an opponent’s pending action, or during the hand in motion.
  
  
• 45.2:   A player must remain in their seat until their action in the hand has been fully completed.
  A player should wait for the completion of the hand before leaving his/her seat if they are still in the hand.
  On occasion, special circumstances may allow players to move away from their seats (i.e. poker shows, televised events etc…).
  
  
• 45.3:   Any player with a live hand that can still act must remain at the table while awaiting an opponent’s pending action.
  
  
• 45.4:   Any player still in the game is expected to stay at the table during play in action at all times; any player who disrespects this rule will be subject to an official warning, with the potential for escalating penalties to be imposed for repeat offences.
  
  
• 45.5: Substantial Action: being defined as either:  
  •   any two actions in turn, at least one of which must involve putting chips in the pot (i.e. any 2 actions except 2 checks or 2 folds); or
  •   any combination of three actions in turn (check, bet, raise, call, or fold);
  •   or any player who fails to complete action before a flop is exposed.
  
  
• 45.6:   In this situation the dealer had time to collect three or more bets, tap the table before then burning and producing a flop, in this period of time the player saw the dealer do so much he had plenty of opportunity to alert the dealer that he hadn’t acted. In this case his action will be taken as a forced check or have their hand killed.
  
  
• 45.7:   Should the above actions take place out of turn a players hand will be deemed as dead.
  
  
• 45.8:   Players are responsible for tracking table action to avoid order of action issues.
  
  
• 45.9:   Allowances will be made if the Tournament Director or floor person have of the opinion that action was so quick that the player had no chance to react and rule in fairness of the game.

  
  (TDA RULE #30) AT THE TABLE WITH ACTION PENDING.
  Players with live hands (including players all-in or otherwise finished betting) must remain at the table until the showdown concludes. Leaving the table is incompatible with protecting your hand and following the action, and is subject to penalty.

• 46.1:   Players are entitled to be informed of the “pot size” ONLY in pot-limit games.
  
  
• 46.2:   Dealers will not count or inform players of the “pot size” in limit and no-limit games.
  
  
• 46.3:   Players shall allow the dealer to accurately count the chips without interfering.
  
  
• 46.4:   Players are responsible to visually verify the “pot size” amount before calling or raising.
  
  
• 46.5:   If an error occurs regarding an incorrect pot size amount, the calling player will still be obligated to the actual pot size amount, and will be held responsible to correct the amount.
  
  
• 46.6:   If requested, dealers may spread the pot so that a player may count it.
  
  
• 46.7:   The verbal announcement of “I bet the pot” or “I raise the pot” in no-limit games is not a binding raise amount, but can be judged to be so by Management in unclear situations; the player causing this dispute may be subject to a penalty according to Rule 7.2.
  Dealers should request the player to announce a valid bet or raise amount.
  
  
• 46.8:   The dealers are instructed to verify the players verbal declarations, and to announce any action that contributes to the flow of the game.
  They are not obligated to provide the amount of the bet, raise or all-in, unless requested by other players still live in the hand.
  
  
• 46.9:   Dealers are not allowed to provide any player information, such as who raised pre flop, etc…

  
  (TDA RULE #50) POT SIZE & POT-LIMIT BETS.
  A: Players are entitled to a pot count in pot-limit only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit.
  B: Pre-flop a short all-in blind will not affect calculation of the maximum pot limit bet. Post-flop, bets are based on actual pot size.
  C: Declaring “I bet the pot” is not a valid bet in no-limit but it does bind the player to making a valid bet (at least a minimum bet), and may be subject to penalty. If the player is facing a bet he must make a valid raise.

• 47.1:   A “declaration of action” may be an obvious physical motion or verbal statement: a fold, check, bet, call, raise, re-raise or “all-in.”
  
  
• 47.2:   Players are strongly encouraged to verbally declare their action IN TURN.
  
  
• 47.3:   A player is responsible for clearly stating their action in turn, and must act in turn.
  Verbal declarations must be clearly announced in turn, and will be binding.
  Chips placed in the pot in turn must stay in the pot.
  
  
• 47.4:   A “declaration of action” IN TURN will be binding; the player will be forced to take the declared action.
  A “declaration of action” OUT OF TURN will only be binding if the action to that player has not changed. An action out of turn can be verbal or it can be that the player puts his chips over the betting line.
  
  
• 47.5:   A check, call, or fold is not considered action changing.
  
  
• 47.6:   A player intentionally acting out of turn will receive a penalty.
  The penalty may be waived if the dealer misled the player, if the interim player had his/her chips concealed appearing to be “all-in”, or if the interim player had their cards concealed appearing not to have a live hand.
  
  
• 47.7:   Players are strongly encouraged to use the OFFICIAL TERMINOLOGY OF TOURNAMENT POKER:
  Official terms are simple, unmistakable, time-honored declarations like: bet, raise, call, fold, check, all-in, pot (in Pot limit only), and complete.
  Regional terms may also meet this standard.
  
  
• 47.8:   The use of non-standard language is at a player’s own risk because it may result in a ruling other than what the player intended.
  It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear to the dealer at all times before their actual physical action.

  
  (TDA RULE #33) OFFICIAL TERMINOLOGY OF TOURNAMENT POKERS.
  Official betting terms are simple, unmistakable, time-honored declarations like: bet, raise, call, fold, check, all-in, complete, and pot (pot-limit only).
  Regional terms may also meet this test.
  Also, players must use gestures with caution when facing action; tapping the table is a check.
  It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear: using non-standard terms or gestures is at player’s risk and may result in a ruling other than what the player intended.
  See also Rules 2 & 42.
  
  (TDA RULE #37) METHODS OF BETTING: VERBAL & CHIPS
  A: Bets are by verbal declaration and/or pushing out chips. If a player does both, whichever is first defines the bet. If simultaneous, a clear and reasonable verbal declaration takes precedence, otherwise the chips play.
  B: Verbal declarations may be general (“call”, “raise”), a specific amount only (“one thousand”) or both (“raise, one thousand”).
  C: For all betting rules, declaring a specific amount only is the same as silently pushing out an equal amount. Ex: Declaring “two hundred” is the same as silently pushing out 200 in chips.
  
  (TDA RULE #39)BINDING DECLARATIONS - UNDERCALLS IN TURN
  A: General verbal declarations in turn (such as “Call” or “Raise”) commit a player to the full current action. See Illustration Addendum.
  B: A player undercalls by declaring or pushing out less than the call amount without first declaring “call”.
  An undercall is a mandatory full call if made in turn facing 1) any bet heads-up or 2) the opening bet on any round multi-way. In other situations, TD’s discretion applies.
  The posted BB is the opening first round bet in blind games.
  All-in buttons greatly reduce undercall frequency (See Recommended Procedure 1).
  This rule addresses when a player must make a full call and when, at TDs discretion, he may forfeit the underbet and fold.
  
  (TDA RULE #40) ACTION OUT OF TURN (OOT)
  A: Any action out of turn (check, call, or raise) is subject to penalty and is binding if action to the OOT player does not change.
  A check, call or fold by the rightful player does not change action.
  If action changes, the OOT action is not binding; any bet or raise is returned to the OOT player who has all options including: calling, raising, or folding. An OOT fold is binding.
  B: A player skipped by OOT action must defend his right to act.
  If there is reasonable time and the skipped player does not speak up before substantial action (Rule 35) OOT occurs to his left, the OOT action is binding.
  The floor will rule on how to treat the skipped hand. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  (Rule 40-B) SUBSTANTIAL ACTION OUT OF TURN (OOT).
  A player skipped by OOT action must defend his right to act.
  If there is reasonable time and the skipped player has not spoken up by the time substantial action (see Rule 35) OOT occurs to his left, the OOT action is binding.
  The floor will be called to render a decision on how to treat the skipped hand.
  
  (TDA RULE #50) ACTING IN TURN
  A: Players must act in turn verbally and/or by pushing out chips. Action in turn is binding and commits chips to the pot that stay in the pot.
  B: Players must wait for clear bet amounts before acting. Ex: NLHE, A says “raise” (but no amount), and B quickly folds. B should wait to act until A’s raise amount is clear.
  
  

• 48.1:   A “check” must be a clearly stated verbal declaration or an obvious physical movement in turn. A player wishing to “check” their option to bet should clearly announce “check” or visibly tap the table with an empty hand or fist. “Checking” OUT OF TURN may be binding and will be binding if the action to that player has not changed. A player intentionally checking out of turn will receive a penalty.
  
  
• 48.2:   A player checking their action waives their right to initiate the betting round, but retains the right to “call,” “raise,” “re-raise,” or “fold,” if another player initiates the betting.
  
  
• 48.3:   A “check” is not considered action changing.
  
  
• 48.4:   A check-raise will be allowed.
  
  
• 48.5:   Any player intentionally misleading their intention to “check,” by placing chips in his/her hand prior to checking, may be obligated to commit those chips to the pot and may incur a penalty. In certain situations, a player with the last right of action that “checks” an undisputable winning hand, “the nuts,” will face the possibility of being penalized and may be found guilty of soft playing; that may result in “disqualification.”

• 49.1:   It is a player’s responsibility to clearly perform their action, verbal declaration is recommended to avoid confusion.
  
  
• 49.2:   A call is not valid until the chips are actually released, unless the player has made a “verbal or physical declaration of action” to do so.
  
  Calling IN TURN, any chips pushed over the “betting line” and/or released into the pot will be considered a valid bet.
  If a player is unaware that a raise has been made and has released the incorrect amount of chips into the pot, that player must either: “fold” and forfeit the released chips or add the additional amount required to complete the action of calling the actual current bet amount.
  
  Calling OUT OF TURN may be binding, and will be binding if the action to that player has not changed. A check, call, or fold is considered action not changing.
  Any chips over the “betting line” or verbally committed will remain in the pot.
  A player intentionally calling a bet out of turn will receive a penalty.
  
  
• 49.3:   If a player uses a single “oversized chip” without verbally declaring the exact amount of their bet, it will be considered a call.
  
  
• 49.4:   Dealers should always announce all bet amounts unless they are all-in bets, announcing the betting amounts speeds up the game, also the players deserve to know what the bet is without having to ask every time.
  
  
• 49.5:   Players are responsible to visually verify the amount of the bet. If a situation arises where a wrong bet amount is announced, the calling player will be obligated to correct the amount of the bet.

  
  (TDA RULE #41) METHODS OF CALLING.
  Standard and acceptable forms of calling include:
  A) saying “call”;
  B) pushing out chips equal to a call;
  C) silently pushing out an overchip; or
  D) silently pushing out multiple chips equal to a call under the multi-chip rule (Rule 46).
  Silently betting chip(s) relatively tiny to the bet (ex: blinds 2k-4k. A bets 50k, B then silently puts out one 1k chip) is non-standard, strongly discouraged, subject to penalty, and will be interpreted at TDs discretion, including being ruled a full call.

• 50.1:   Players are strongly advised to verbally declare their exact bet amount and to arrange their chips in the “safe zone” before making a bet.
  •   A bet can be announced verbally or made physically, with a movement of chips. In the event of a player making a verbal and a physical declaration, whichever occurs first will be binding.
  •   If there is a betting line, then chips being pushed forward over the line by the player will be binding at all times.
  
  
• 50.2:   Chips must be pushed over the “betting line” and/or released into the pot in one motion.
  •   If a “betting line” is NOT present on the tournament table, any chips released or pushed in a forward motion, in turn, without a verbal declaration will be considered a binding bet.
  •   If a “betting line” is present, any chips moved in a forward motion, in turn, without a verbal declaration that does not completely cross over the betting line, will be considered part of that total bet amount.
  
  
• 50.3:   Verbal statements of action should be clearly stated as to a call, bet, raise, re-raise or all-in.
  
  
• 50.4:   A bet is not valid until the chips are actually released, unless the player has made a “verbal or physical declaration of action.”
  
  •   Betting IN TURN, any chips pushed over the “betting line” and/or released into the pot will be considered a valid bet.
  If a player is unaware that a previous bet has been made, the player will still be bound by that action.
  Any chips over the “betting line” or verbally committed will remain in the pot.
  
  •   Betting OUT OF TURN may be binding and will be binding if the action to that player has not changed. A check, call, or fold is considered action not changing.
  A player intentionally betting out of turn will receive a penalty.
  The penalty may be waived if the dealer misled the player, or if the interim player had his/her chips concealed appearing to be “all-in” or if the interim player had their cards concealed appearing not to have a live hand.
  •   When in the blinds, any chips in the pot for blinds will not be considered part of the future bet unless they are interacted with when placing the new bet.
  
  
• 50.5:   Dealers should not count any chips in the “safe zone.”
  Players wishing to obtain information about an opponent’s total chip stack will be entitled to voluntary information provided only by that opponent or a clear view for a visual estimate. Dealers may assist a player with providing this information about his/her chips in the “safe zone,” if requested.
  Dealers should never advise or provide a player with information that may provide an unfair advantage or disadvantage.
  
  
• 50.6:   The “pot size” amount will only be given to players in pot -limit games.
  In no-limit games, a dealer may only spread the pot for a player, if requested to do so.
  A player must state their exact bet or raise amount as an actual value.
  In certain situations, where a player states a vague amount, that player will be obligated to the minimum bet or raise required.
  
  
• 50.7:   Dealers should only count and inform players of the chips pushed over the “betting line” and/or released into the pot, if requested by a player with a live hand. Players should allow the dealer to accurately count the chips without interfering.
  
  
• 50.8:   Players are responsible to visually verify the amount of the bet.
  If a situation arises where a wrong bet amount was announced, the calling player will be obligated to correct the amount of the bet.
  
  
• 50.9:   If a player is unaware that there has been a raise and the player has released chips into the pot, the player can either “fold,” and forfeit the released chips or complete the “call” action.
  If the player has verbally announced “raise,” that player will be obligated to the minimum raise required.
  •   NON-STANDARD & UNCLEAR BETTING
  Players use unofficial vocabulary and gestures at their own risk.
  These may be interpreted to mean other than what the player intended.
  Also, whenever the size of a declared bet can have multiple meanings, it will be ruled as having the smallest legitimate value compared to the pot size. (i.e. “I bet five”. If it is unclear whether “five” means $500 or $5000 the bet stands as $500 if the pot is $4999,- or less and the bet stands as $5000 if the pot is $5000 or more).
  •   ACCEPTED ACTION
  Poker is a game of alert, continuous observation.
  It is the caller’s responsibility to determine the correct amount of an opponent’s bet before calling, regardless of what is stated by the dealer or the players.
  If a caller requests a count but receives incorrect information from the dealer or players, then places that amount in the pot, the caller is assumed to accept the full correct amount and is subject to the correct bet or all-in amount.
  As with all tournament situations, Rule 1.1 may apply at the Tournament Director’s discretion.

  
  (TDA RULE #47) PREVIOUS BET CHIPS NOT PULLED IN.
  A: If a player bets when facing a raise and has chips in front of him not yet pulled in from a prior bet, the “prior” chips (and any change due) may affect whether his action is ruled a call or re-raise.
  Because several possibilities exist, players should declare their bets before putting out new chips on top of prior-bet chips not yet pulled in.
  B: If facing action, clearly pulling back prior bet chip(s) binds a player to call or raise.
  
  (TDA RULE #49) ACCEPTED ACTION
  Poker is a game of alert, continuous observation.
  It is the caller’s responsibility to determine the correct amount of an opponent’s bet before calling, regardless of what is stated by others.
  If a caller requests a count but receives incorrect information from a dealer or player, then pushes out that amount, the caller has accepted the full correct action & is subject to the correct wager or all-in amount.
  As with all situations, Rule 1 may apply at TD’s discretion.
  
  (TDA RULE #52) NON STANDARD & UNCLEAR BETTING
  Players use unofficial betting terms and gestures at their own risk.
  These may be interpreted to mean other than what the player intended.
  Also, if a declared bet can reasonably have multiple meanings, it will be ruled the lesser value.
  Ex: NLHE 200-400 blinds, player declares “I bet five.” If it is unclear whether “five” means 500 or 5,000, the bet is 500. See Rules 2, 3 & 42. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  (TDA RULE #52) NON STANDARD & UNCLEAR BETTING
  “Also, whenever a declared bet can reasonably have multiple meanings, it will be ruled the lesser value.”
  If a declared bet technically has multiple values, TDs may use discretion to determine what value is most reasonable and in the best interest of the game. Decision factors may include but are not limited to such considerations as: 1) keeping it the lower amount to enforce betting discipline, 2) recent betting increments and 3) bet values relative to the current pot size.
  
  (TDA RULE #55) COUNT OF OPPONENT’S CHIP STACK Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of opponents’ chip stacks (Rule 24).
  A player may only request a more precise count if the action is on him and he faces an all-in bet.
  The all-in player is not required to count; on request the dealer or floor will count it.
  Accepted action applies (See Rule 49).
  The visible and countable chipstack rule (Rule 24) greatly helps accuracy in counting.

• 51.1:   The minimum raise required must always be equal to or larger than the amount of the previous bet or raise on that betting round, unless a player has moved “all-in” for less; then it’s a call of the total amount bet and can never be seen as a raise.
  
  
• 51.2:   If a player puts in a raise of fifty percent (50%) or more of the previous bet, but less than the minimum raise required, he or she will be required to make a full raise. The full raise amount required to complete the action will be the amount of the minimum raise required.
  In NO-LIMIT, the first minimum bet, after the flop, must be at least the big blind amount. Additional raises may be in increments equal to or more than the previous raised amount.
  In NO-LIMIT and POT-LIMIT, an “all-in” bet of less than a full raise does not reopen the betting to a player who has already acted. There is NO cap on the number of raises in no-limit and pot-limit games.
  In LIMIT betting structured games, the maximum number of raises will be 1 bet and 4 raises, until “heads up” play; in certain situations, a venue’s house limit will apply. If the player raises “all-in” for LESS, a raise must be at least half of the limit to constitute a raise.
  
  
• 51.3:   When facing a bet, unless a raise is first declared, multiple same-denomination chips are a call. When you take away one chip the other chips are not enough to make a call. For example when facing a bet of 30.000 a player places two chips of 25.000. This is a call.
  The 50% rule does not apply in this case.
  
  
• 51.4:   There is no cap on the number of raises in no-limit and pot-limit play. In limit events there will be a limit to raises even when heads-up until the tournament is down to 2 players; the house limit applies.

  
  (TDA RULE #42) METHODS OF RAISING.
  In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by A) pushing out the full amount in one motion; B) verbally declaring the full amount prior to pushing out chips; or C) verbally declaring “raise” prior to pushing out the exact call amount then completing the raise in one additional motion. In option C, if other than the exact call amount but less than a minimum raise is first put out, it will be ruled a minimum raise. It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear.
  
  (TDA RULE #43) RAISE AMOUNTS
  A: A raise must be at least equal to the largest prior bet or raise of the current betting round. If a player raises 50% or more of the largest prior bet but less than a minimum raise, he must make a full minimum raise. If less than 50% it is a call unless “raise” is first declared. Declaring an amount or pushing out the same amount of chips is the same (See Rule 37-C).
  Ex: NLHE, opening bet is 1000, verbally declaring “Fourteen hundred” or silently pushing out 1400 in chips are both calls unless raise is first declared. See Illustration Addendum.
  B: Without other clarifying information, declaring raise and an amount is the total bet. Ex: A opens for 2000, B declares “Raise, eight thousand.” The total bet is 8000.
  
  (TDA RULE #44) RE-OPENING THE BET
  In no-limit and pot limit, an all-in wager of less than a full raise does not reopen betting for a player who has already acted and is not facing at least a full raise when the action returns to him. In limit, at least 50% of a full raise is required to re-open betting for players who have already acted. See Addendum
  
  (TDA RULE#45) OVERSIZED CHIP BETTING
  When facing a bet or blind, pushing out a single oversized chip is a call if raise isn’t first declared. To raise with an oversized chip, raise must be declared before the chip hits the table surface. If raise is declared but no amount, the raise is the maximum allowable for the chip. When not facing a bet, pushing out an oversized chip without declaration is a bet of the maximum for the chip.
  
  (TDA RULE #46) MULTIPLE CHIP BETTING
  When facing a bet, unless raise is declared first, a multiple-chip bet is a call if every chip is needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves less than the call amount. Example: preflop, 200-400 blinds: A raises to 1200 total (an 800 raise), B puts out two 1000 chips without declaring raise. This is just a call because removing one 1000 chip leaves less than the amount to call (1200). If the single removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves the call amount or more, the bet is governed by the 50% standard in Rule 43. See Addendum.
  
  (TDA RULE #47) PREVIOUS BET CHIPS NOT PULLED IN
  A: If a player bets when facing a raise and has chips in front of him not yet pulled in from a prior bet, the “prior” chips (and any change due) may affect whether his action is ruled a call or re-raise. Because several possibilities exist, players should declare their bets before putting out new chips on top of prior-bet chips not yet pulled in. B: If facing action, clearly pulling back prior bet chip(s) binds a player to call or raise.
  
  (TDA RULE#48) NUMBER OF ALLOWABLE RAISES
  There is no cap on the number of raises in no-limit and pot-limit. In limit play there is a limit to raises even when heads-up until the event is down to 2 players; the house limit applies.
  
  (TDA RULE #43) THE LARGEST PRIOR BET OR RAISE OF THE CURRENT BETTING ROUND
  This line refers to the largest additional action or “last legal increment” by a preceding bettor in the current round. The current round is the “current street”, i.e. pre-flop, flop, turn, river in board games; 3rd– 4th – 5th – 6th – 7th street in 7- stud, etc..
  
  (TDA RULE #46) MULTIPLE CHIP BETTING
  “When facing a bet, unless raise is declared first, a multiple-chip bet is a call if every chip is needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves less than the call amount… If the single removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves the call amount or more, the bet is governed by the 50% standard in Rule 43.”

• 52.1:   Raises must adhere to the “raise requirements.”
  
  
• 52.2:   Raises must either be verbally declared or be made clearly by a physical action.
  
  
• 52.3:   A raise must be made by one or more of the following:
  Placing the full amount in the pot in one motion.
  Verbally declaring the full amount prior to the initial placement of chips into the pot.
  Verbally declaring “raise” prior to the placement of the call amount into the pot and then completing the action with one additional motion.
  
  
• 52.4:   If a player puts in a raise of 50 percent or more of the previous bet but less than the minimum raise, he or she will be required to make a full raise.
  The raise will then be exactly the minimum raise allowed.
  It’s a player’s responsibility to make his/her intentions clear.
  
  
• 52.5:   Any player putting in a raise of less than 50 percent of the previous bet, without any clear verbal announcement of ‘raise’ will be required to just call the previous bet, and the extra chips placed will be returned.

  
  (TDA RULE #42) METHODS OF RAISING.
  In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by A) pushing out the full amount in one motion; B) verbally declaring the full amount prior to pushing out chips; or C) verbally declaring “raise” prior to pushing out the exact call amount then completing the raise in one additional motion. In option C, if other than the exact call amount but less than a minimum raise is first put out, it will be ruled a minimum raise. It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear.

• 53.1:   A string bet or raise is defined as: attempting a bet or raise in more than one movement without the clear verbal declaration of that bet amount.
  
  
• 53.2:   It is a player’s responsibility to clearly announce their intention to “raise” before moving any chips into the pot.
  
  
• 53.3:   Chips placed in the pot in multiple movements, without a prior “verbal declaration,” will be considered a “string raise” or “string bet”.
  
  
• 53.4:   A “string raise” is NOT a valid bet.
  
  
• 53.5:   Dealers will be responsible for calling a “string raise.”
  
  
• 53.6:   A player wishing to call attention to a possible “string raise” should immediately notify the dealer, who will immediately call for a Floor Person or the Tournament Director.
  
  
• 53.7:   If a player commits a “string raise,” the player will be obligated to commit the chips to the pot during their first movement or to the minimum amount required.

  
  (TDA RULE #43) STRING BETS AND RAISES.
  Dealers will be responsible for calling string bets and raises.

• 54.1:   To make a raise with a single “oversized chip,” a verbal “declaration of action” must be made BEFORE the chip hits the table surface.
  
  PRE-FLOP or with any existing call amount (blinds):
  if a player uses a single “oversized chip” without verbally declaring a “raise,” it will only be considered a “call.”
  
  AFTER THE FLOP:
  if you are the player to act in turn, and no other player has made a bet before you, and you use a single “oversized chip” without verbally declaring the exact amount of that bet, it will signify a bet equal to the size of the chip (in No Limit Hold’em).
  
  
• 54.2:   If a player puts an oversized chip into the pot and says “Raise”, but doesn’t state the amount, the raise will be the maximum allowable up to the denomination of that chip.

  
  (TDA RULE #45) OVERSIZED CHIP BETTING.
  When facing a bet or blind, pushing out a single oversized chip is a call if raise isn’t first declared.
  To raise with an oversized chip, raise must be declared before the chip hits the table surface.
  If raise is declared but no amount, the raise is the maximum allowable for the chip.
  When not facing a bet, pushing out an oversized chip without declaration is a bet of the maximum for the chip.

• 55.1:   Players betting “all-in” must clearly declare their action and move an obvious amount of their entire chip stack forward, unless an “all-in button” is used.
  
  
• 55.2:   An “all-in” bet (the rest of a player’s remaining chips) of less than a full raise does not reopen the betting to the previous bettor.
  
  
• 55.3:   An “all-in” bet binds a player’s entire chip stack to the hand, including any hidden chips. Discovered chips are to be considered in the outcome as if the chips were in plain view. An eliminated “all-in” player will have no redress if they discover hidden chips, provided that the opponent(s)had sufficient chips to cover the hidden one(s) as well.
  
  
• 55.4:   When a player is “all-in” and no further betting action is possible, the dealer must stop all action and instruct the players to turn their cards “face up”, and players will be in a “showdown” situation.
  

  Dealers must ensure that all cards are exposed before continuing with any action.
  

  
  
• 55.5:   If a player is “all-in” or any player involved in the “showdown,” accidentally or intentionally “folds/mucks” their hand before cards are turned “face up,” the dealer must immediately bring this to the attention of a Floor Person or Tournament Director.
  Management reserves the right to retrieve the folded/mucked cards, if the cards are clearly identifiable.
  Venues/ House Rules that are governed by juridical gaming laws pertaining to a retrievable rule shall apply.
  
  
• 55.6:   All-in with Hidden Chips: An acknowledged all-in bet commits a player’s entire stack to the hand, including any hidden chips.
  However, if the opponent covers the entire stack amount and the player loses, he/she will be eliminated from the tournament, unless the caller is unable to cover the amount.
  Exception – Player A goes all-in for 50,000 and Player B calls with a stack of 55,000.
  Upon pushing the chips to the middle, Player A discovers a 10,000 chip under his arm. If Player A wins the pot, he will only be paid 50,000 in chips.
  If Player A loses the pot, his opponent will receive the entire 55,000 of Player A’s actual stack for the double up.

  
  (TDA RULE #57) ALL-IN WITH CHIPS FOUND BEHIND LATER.
  If A bets all-in and a hidden chip is found behind after a player has called, the TD will determine if the chip behind is part of accepted action (Rule 49).
  If not part of the action, A will not be paid off for the chip(s) if he wins.
  If A loses he is not saved by the chip(s) and the TD may award the chip(s) to the winning caller.

• 56.1:   If an “all-in button” is used in the tournament, it is the dealer’s responsibility to immediately announce and ensure that the “all-in button” is in front of the player.
  
  
• 56.2:   If one or more players announce “all-in,” multiple “all-in button” will be placed on the table.
  
  
• 56.3:   The dealer should still make sure that the ‘all-in’ is clearly announced.

• 57.1:   Cards should be released in a low line of flight, face down in a forward motion, over and inside the “betting line,” if a betting line is present.
  
  
• 57.2:   Players are responsible for holding onto their cards until the winner is declared.
  
  
• 57.3:   Cards released face down in a forward motion or over and inside the “betting line,” will be considered a “folded/mucked hand,” unless a player is in a “showdown” situation with one player being “all in”, then all cards have to be tabled.
  
  
• 57.4:   “Folding/mucking” OUT OF TURN, any player intentionally “Folding/mucking” out of turn will receive a penalty. A player leaving their seat before completing their action will be considered as intentionally “Folding/mucking” out of turn.
  The penalty may be waived if the dealer misled the player, or it was unclear that other players still had a live hand.
  
  
• 57.5:   “EXPOSING CARDS” when “folding/mucking,” during a live hand, a player intentionally flashing or “exposing cards” while “Folding/mucking” will incur a penalty.
  If all action is complete, a player intentionally flashing or exposing his/her card(s) while “folding/mucking,” will entitle all players to see the cards, if requested. The dealer will kill the hand and show the player’s ENTIRE hand.
  
  
• 57.6:   A hand is considered to be folded once the hand is in the “muck”, mixed with the burn cards, the board, or the discard pile while face down, either by the player or the dealer.
  If a betting line is in place and in use, then all cards released by the player in a forward motion, face down or over and inside the betting line will be considered a ‘folded/mucked’ hand, whether intentionally or not.
  
  
• 57.7:   Utilizing Rule 1.1, the Floor Person may retrieve a technically mucked hand and declare it live if they believe there is good cause to do so, and the correct hand is clearly retrievable.

  
  (TDA RULE #45) NON-STANDARD FOLDS.
  Anytime before the end of the final betting round, folding in turn if there’s no bet to you (ex: facing a check or first to act post-flop) or folding out of turn are binding folds subject to penalty.

• 58.1:   At showdown, cards released in a forward motion, face down and over the betting line, will be considered a mucked hand and ruled as a dead hand.
  
  
• 58.2:   A Player may not retrieve a “folded/mucked” hand once released.
  
  
• 58.3:   Dealers may not retrieve and/or return the “folded/mucked hand” to a player.
  
  
• 58.4:   Players are responsible for holding onto their cards until the winner is declared.
  A player, who accidentally or intentionally folds/mucks their hand before the winning hand is determined, will forfeit his or her rights to be awarded the pot.
  The hand will be considered a “folded/mucked hand” and declared a “dead hand,” unless a player is “all-in” and players are in a “showdown” situation.
  
  
• 58.5:   If a player is “all-in” or any player involved in the “showdown,” accidentally or intentionally folds/mucks their hand before cards are turned “face up,” the dealer must immediately bring this to the attention of a Floor Person or Tournament Director.
  Management reserves the right to retrieve the “folded/mucked” cards, if the cards are clearly identifiable.
  Venues/ House Rules that are governed by juridical gaming laws pertaining to a retrievable rule shall apply.

  
  (TDA RULE #14) LIVE CARDS AT SHOWDOWN.
  Discarding non-tabled cards face down does not automatically kill them; a player may change his mind and table his cards if they remain 100% identifiable.
  Cards are killed by the dealer when pushed into the muck.

• 59.1:   An “exposed card” is defined as any card intentionally or accidentally shown to or seen by at least one player at the table.
  
  
• 59.2:   It is a player’s responsibility to inform the dealer of any “exposed cards” or flashed card(s).
  
  
• 59.3:   Anytime an exposed card is not 100% identifiable, the dealer will show the player’s entire hand.
  
  
• 59.4:   Dealers must “show one player, show all players,” any “exposed cards”
  
  If ALL ACTION IS COMPLETE, and a player exposes his/her card(s) to at least one player before “folding/mucking,” all players are entitled to see the “exposed card(s)” if requested.
  The dealer will kill the hand and show all players the EXACT card(s) shown.
  “Exposing cards” due to dealer’s error, dealers must announce and show the exposed card to all players.
  The exposed card must remain “face up” on the card deck, until the next action.
  The exposed card will be taken out of play.
  
  
• 59.5:   A player intentionally exposing his/her card(s) to a player during a live hand will NOT have a “dead hand,” but will incur a penalty.
  The penalty will begin at the end of the hand.
  
  
• 59.6:   “Exposing cards” to a player with NO LIVE HAND: Anytime a player “exposes cards” to a player, any player at the table may REQUEST to see the exposed card(s), whether he/she is in the hand or not.
  At the end of the hand, the dealer will kill the hand and show all the player’s the EXACT card(s) shown.
  
  
• 59.7:   “Exposing cards” to a player WITH A LIVE HAND, anytime a player “exposes cards” to a player who has NOT completed their action, the dealer will immediately show all players the EXACT card(s) shown.
  This is done because all players involved are entitled to the same information.
  At the END of the hand, the dealer will kill the hand and show all players the EXACT card(s) shown.
  The player that exposed his/her card(s) will incur a penalty.
  
  
• 59.8:   A card accidentally exposed by a dealer or dealt off the table is ruled an “exposed card” and may be the cause for a “misdeal.”
  If more than 1 of the hole cards from any player is exposed during the initial deal, the hand will be declared a “misdeal.”
  
  
• 59.9:   In Flop games, if during the initial deal, the dealer accidentally a player’s card, that card will be taken out of play, shown to all players and used as the burn card. The player will then receive a new card from the top of the deck, once all players have received their initial hand. If 2 or more cards are ”exposed” during the initial deal, the hand will be declared a “misdeal.”

  
  (TDA RULE #63) EXPOSING CARDS AND PROPER FOLDING.
  A player who exposes his cards with action pending may incur a penalty, but will not have a dead hand.
  The penalty will begin at the end of the hand. When folding, cards should be pushed forward low to the table, not deliberately exposed or tossed high (“helicoptered”). See also Rule 61.

• 60.1:   Any cards shown to ONE player will be shown to ALL players and deemed “exposed cards.” Dealers will treat the cards as prescribed in “exposing cards.”
  
  
• 60.2:   Players may be penalized for showing or exposing their cards to others whether in the hand, before or after, if deemed inappropriate by Management. Dealers are obligated to inform Management immediately when this occurs.
  
  
• 60.3:   The one card to a hand policy prohibited players from showing their cards to third parties unless they show them first to the other players at the tabled.

  
  (TDA RULE #62) NO DISCLOSURE.
  Players must protect other players in the tournament at all times.
  Therefore players, whether in the hand or not, must not:
  1. Disclose contents of live or folded hands,
  2. Advise or criticize play at any time,
  3. Read a hand that hasn’t been tabled.
  
  One-player-to-a-hand is in effect. Among other things, this rule prohibits showing a hand to or discussing strategy with another player, advisor, or spectator.

• 61.1:   “Face up” or “tabled” is defined as revealing the card’s identity and actual value.
  
  
• 61.2:   All cards will be turned “Face up” once a player is “all-in” and all betting action is complete, players will be in a “showdown” situation.
  
  
• 61.3:   If a player in the showdown situation accidentally folds/mucks their hand before cards are turned face up, Management reserves the right to retrieve the folded/mucked cards if they are clearly identifiable.
  
  
• 61.4:   Players are obligated to show their cards face up.
  Any player that is part of and/or present in a showdown needs to table his/her hand face up.

  
  (TDA RULE #15) FACE UP FOR ALL-INS.
  All hands will be tabled without delay once a player is all-in and all betting action by all other players in the hand is complete.
  No player who is either all-in or has called all betting action may muck his hand without tabling.
  All hands in both the main and sidepot(s) must be tabled and are live. See Illustration Addendum.
  (TDA RULE #15) FACE UP FOR ALL-INS “All cards will be tabled without delay once a player is all-in and all betting action by all other players in the hand is complete”. This rule means that all downcards of all players will be turned up at once when at least one player is all-in and there is no chance of further betting action by the other player(s). Do not wait for the showdown to turn the cards up; do not wait for sidepots to be divided before turning up the all-in who is only in for the main pot; if betting action is finalized on any street prior to the showdown, turn the cards up at that point and then run out the remaining cards.

• 62.1:   If all betting has been completed and no further action is possible, players will be in a “showdown” situation.
  A “showdown” is defined as the period at the end of each hand in which active players reveal their facedown cards.
  Players show and compare the strength of their hands to determine the winning five card hand combination, and so declaring the winner of the pot.
  
  
• 62.2:   An aggressive action is defined as a bet, raise or all in move. A call is not an aggressive action.
  
  
• 62.3:   Order of showdown with aggressive action on the river street: The last aggressor has to show first.
  The other players have to show in a clock wise order.
  
  
• 62.4:   Order of showdown without aggressive action on the river street: The first active player left to the button has to show first and the other players follow in a clock wise direction.
  
  
• 62.5:   If players do not wait and show their hand against the order of showdown they will lose the right of seeing the previous players cards .
  
  
• 62.6:   LAST MAN STANDING RULE: At showdown, if a player would prefer to muck than show their cards, the remaining player can win the pot without having to show any cards as he is the last live hand.
  However, should the player want to see the other players cards, the player would be forced to show his live hand.
  
  
• 62.7:   If a player is all-in and no further betting action is possible, the dealer must stop all action and instruct the players to turn their cards face up; players will be in a showdown situation. Dealers must ensure that all cards are exposed before continuing with any action.
  
  
• 62.8:   Players are obligated to show their cards face up.
  If a player who is all in or any player involved in the showdown accidentally or intentionally folds/mucks their hand before cards are turned face up, the dealer must immediately bring this to the attention of a Floor Person or Tournament Director.
  •   Management reserves the right to retrieve the folded/mucked cards, if the cards are clearly identifiable.
  •   Venues/ House Rules that are governed by juridical gaming laws pertaining to a retrievable rule shall apply.
  
  
• 62.9:   If there is a side pot, players involved in the side pot should show their hands first. The side pots will always be awarded before the main pot.
  
  
• 62.10:   In Stud games, the player with the high board must show first.
  
  
• 62.11:   In Razz, the lowest board shows first.

  
  (TDA RULE #14) 14: LIVE CARDS AT SHOWDOWNS.
  Discarding non-tabled cards face down does not automatically kill them; a player may change his mind and table his cards if they remain 100% identifiable. Cards are killed by the dealer when pushed into the muck.
  
  (TDA RULE #15) FACE UP FOR ALL-INS
  All hands will be tabled without delay once a player is all-in and all betting action by all other players in the hand is complete. No player who is either all-in or has called all betting action may muck his hand without tabling. All hands in both the main and sidepot(s) must be tabled and are live. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  (TDA RULE #16) NON ALL-IN SHOWDOWNS
  A: In a non all-in showdown, if cards are not spontaneously tabled or discarded, the TD may enforce an order of show. The last aggressive player on the final betting round (final street) must table first. If there was no bet on the final street, the player who would act first if it were a betting round must table first (i.e. first seat left of the button in flop games, high hand showing in stud, low hand in razz, etc.).
  B: A non all-in showdown is uncontested if all but one player mucks face down without tabling. The last player with live cards wins and he is not required to show his cards.
  17: Asking to See a Hand
  A: Players not still in possession of cards at showdown, or who have mucked their cards face down without tabling, lose any rights or privileges to ask to see any hand.
  B: If there was a river bet, any caller has an inalienable right to see the last aggressor’s hand on request (“the hand he paid to see”) provided the caller retains or has tabled his cards. TDs discretion governs all other requests such as to see the hand of another caller, or if there was no river bet. See Illustration Addendum [adopted 2013].
  
  (TDA RULE #18) 14: PLAYING THE BOARD AT SHOWDOWN
  To play the board, a player must table all hole cards to get part of the pot (See Rule 13-A).

• 63.1:   A verbal declaration as to the content of a player’s hand is NOT binding, “Cards speak for themselves.”
  
  
• 63.2:   Any player intentionally “miscalling” his/her hand will be penalized. Dealers are obligated to inform the floor staff if this happens.
  
  
• 63.3:   “Conditional statements” regarding future action are non-standard and strongly discouraged, although they may be binding and/or subject to penalty at the Tournament Director’s discretion (i.e. “if-then” statements such as “if you bet, then I will raise”).

  
  (TDA RULE #12) DECLARATIONS. CARDS SPEAK AT SHOWDOWN.
  Cards speak to determine the winner.
  Verbal declarations of hand value are not binding at showdown but deliberately miscalling a hand may be penalized.
  Any player in the hand or not, should speak up if he thinks a mistake is being made in reading hands or awarding the pot.
  
  (TDA RULE #54) CONDITIONAL STATEMENTS
  Conditional statements of future action are non-standard and strongly discouraged.
  At TDs discretion they may be binding and/or penalized. Example: “if – then” statements such as “If you bet, I will raise.”

• 64.1:   “Miscalling” a hand is defined as a false verbal statement as to the actual value of a player’s hand - “Cards speak for themselves.”
  Miscalling a hand may be subject to a penalty if the dealer brings it to the attention of Management.
  
  
• 64.2:   Any player intentionally “miscalling” his/her hand will be penalized.
  
  
• 64.3:   A player “folding/mucking” their hand as a result of another player intentionally “miscalling a hand” will have the right to bring this to the attention of the Tournament Director.
  The Tournament Director reserves the right to render judgment in the interest of fairness that may take priority over the technical rules. See Rule 1.1.

  
  (TDA RULE #12) DECLARATIONS. CARDS SPEAK AT SHOWDOWN.
  Cards speak to determine the winner.
  Verbal declarations of hand value are not binding at showdown but deliberately miscalling a hand may be penalized.
  Any player in the hand or not, should speak up if he thinks a mistake is being made in reading hands or awarding the pot.

• 65.1:   On occasion, a dealer error may occur that results in accidentally “killing a player’s winning hand.”
  The dealer cannot kill a winning hand, if the player has clearly turned his or her cards “face up” and is obviously holding and tabled the winning hand.
  In these situations, the dealer’s error will be corrected and the player’s hand will be retrieved and the pot will be awarded accordingly.
  
  
• 65.2:   Players are encouraged to assist in reading tabled hands, if it appears that an error is about to be made.
  
  
• 65.3:   A tabled hand is defined as a hand that a participant places on the table face up, such that the dealer and all participants at the table can read.

  
  (TDA RULE #13) TABLING CARDS & KILLING WINNING HAND.
  A: Proper tabling is both 1) turning all cards face up on the table and 2) allowing the dealer and players to read the hand clearly. “All cards” means both hole cards in hold’em, all 4 hole cards in Omaha, all 7 cards in 7-stud, etc.
  B: At showdown a player must protect his hand while waiting for it to be read (See also Rule 60).
  If a player does not fully table his cards, then mucks thinking he has won, he does so at his risk.
  If the cards are not 100% identifiable and the TD rules the hand was not clearly read, the player has no claim to the pot.
  The TDs decision on whether a hand was sufficiently tabled is final.
  C: Dealers cannot kill a hand that was properly tabled and obviously the winner.
  
  (TDA RULE #60) ACCIDENTALLY KILLED / FOULED HANDS
  A player must protect his hand at all times, including at showdown while waiting for the hand to be read.
  If the dealer kills a hand by mistake or if in TDs judgement a hand is fouled and cannot be identified to 100% certainty, the player has no redress and is not entitled to a refund of called bets.
  If the player initiated a bet or raise and hasn’t been called, the uncalled amount will be returned to him.
  If a hand is fouled but can be identified, it remains in play despite cards exposed in the process.

• 66.1:   A player must show both cards when “playing the board” in order to be awarded any part of the pot.
  
  
• 66.2:   A player who intentionally “miscalls” their hand to deceive another player will incur a penalty.
  
  
• 66.3:   It is a player’s responsibility to determine the winning hand before “folding/mucking.” A player who folds/mucks will have no redress as their hand will be non-retrievable.

  
  (TDA RULE #18) PLAYING THE BOARD AT SHOWDOWN.
  A player must show all hole cards when playing the board in order to get part of the pot.

• 67.1:   To be awarded a pot, a player must show their entire hand, if there are one or more players involved with a live hand.
  
  
• 67.2:   Last live hand dictates that in the event players muck their live hand and only one live hand remains, the pot will be awarded to the last live hand without showing the cards.
  
  
• 67.3:   The pot will not be awarded until all losing hands have been killed.
  
  
• 67.4:   The winning hand should remain “face up”, until the pot is awarded.
  
  
• 67.5:   Players are responsible to ensure that the pot is awarded correctly.
  
  
• 67.6:   If by dealer error, the pot is awarded to the wrong player, the error must be corrected before the start of the “ new deal.”
  Once a “new deal” has begun, the result of the previous hand must stand. (Unless Management overrules this in the interests of fairness to the players and the event).
  If the wrongly awarded pot has been mixed with a player’s chip stack, Management will at its best effort try to reconstruct the pot accurately.
  In certain situations, the tournament clock will pause and all tournament play will stop, until the error is corrected.
  
  
• 67.7:   Management has the right to reclaim winnings that are proven to be received incorrectly by players, or from a player who is proven to have received winnings through violation of tournament rules. See Rule 1.1.

  
  (TDA RULE #21) DISPUTED POTS.
  The right to dispute a finished hand ends when a new hand begins (see Rule 22).
  If a hand finishes during a break, the right to dispute ends 1 minute after the pot is awarded.
  22: New Hand & New Limits A new level will not be announced until the clock reaches zero. The new level applies to the next hand. A hand begins on the first riffle, push of the shuffler button, or on the dealer push.

• 68.1:   An “odd chip” is defined as any leftover remaining chip resulting from a split pot or from the “color up” process.
  
  
• 68.2:   If a split pot contains an uneven amount of chips, the pot will be split down and divided as evenly as possible.
  Any remaining chip will be broken down to the lowest denomination of chip still in play and the remaining “odd chip” will be awarded accordingly.
  •   In Board playing / Flop games, when there are two or more winning hands, the “odd chip” will be awarded to the entitled player left of the “dealer button.”
  •   In High-Low split games, the “odd chip” will be awarded to the high hand, if there are two or more high hands with identical values, the “odd chip” will be awarded to the entitled player left of the “dealer button.”
  •   In Stud games, when there are two or more hands that have identical values, the “odd chip” will go to the high card by “suit ranking.”
  •   In High-Low split games, the “odd chip” will be awarded to the high hand, if there are two or more high hands with identical values, the “odd chip” will go to the high hand by “suit ranking.”
  •   In Low games, the “odd chip” will be awarded to the lowest hand by lowest “suit ranking.”

  
  (TDA RULE #19) AWARDING ODD CHIPS.
  First, odd chips will be broken into the smallest denomination in play.
  A) Board games with 2 or more high or low hands: the odd chip goes to the first seat left of the button.
  B) Stud, razz, and if 2 or more high or low hands in stud/8: the odd chip goes to the high card by suit in the best 5-card hand. C) H/L split: the odd chip in the total pot goes to the high side.
  D) If identical hands win both high and low (ex: 2 Omaha/8 wheels) the pot is split as evenly as possible. See Illustration Addendum.

• 69.1:   When one or more players are “all-in” and the other players involved in the hand have chips in excess of the “all-in” amount, a “side pot” will be created.
  
  
• 69.2:   In certain situations, multiple “side pots” may exist.
  
  
• 69.3:   “Side pots” will NEVER be combined.
  
  
• 69.4:   The “side pots” will always be awarded before the main pot.
  
  
• 69.5:   Players involved in the “side pot” should show their hands first.
  
  
• 69.6:   Each “side pot” will be split separately among the winning players entitled to that pot.

  
  (TDA RULE #17) SIDE POTS.
  Each side pot will be split separately.

• 70.1:   “Rabbit hunting” is defined as looking through the discards or card deck after a hand is completed.
  
  
• 70.2:   Dealers are not permitted to show cards that have not been dealt and players should not ask the dealers to show the card(s) that would have been dealt.
  
  
• 70.3:   “Rabbit hunting”” is not allowed; any player found “rabbit hunting”” will incur a penalty.
  
  
• 70.4:   A player is not allowed to ask for “rabbit hunting””. If he/she does, the dealer needs to bring this to the attention of the Tournament Director.

  
  (TDA RULE #28) RABBIT HUNTING.
  Rabbit hunting or revealing cards that would have come if the hand had not ended is not allowed.

• 71.1:   In certain situations, a player may have their hand declared a “dead hand.”
  
  
• 71.2:   Floor People and Tournament Directors reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to declare a player’s hand dead.
  
  
• 71.3:   A hand will be declared dead if:
  •   A player folds or announces that he/she is folding when facing a bet or a raise.
  •   A player throws his/her hand away, in over and inside the betting line or in a forward motion, facedown, causing another player to act behind them.
  •   In stud, when facing a bet, a player picks up cards off the table, turns his/her up cards facedown, or mixes his/her up cards and down cards together.
  •   The hand does not contain the proper number of cards for that particular game.
  •   In Omaha games when action has occurred and a players finds out not having the correct amount of cards (with exception of de last player who’s dealt cards.
  •   In Stud games, a hand missing a card, before the draw, will not be a dead hand if the draw is still live.
  •   In drawing games, a hand missing a card, before the draw, will not be a dead hand if the draw is still live.
  •   A player acts on a hand with knowledge that the deck is “fouled.”
  •   A player has the “clock” on him/her when facing a bet or raise and exceeds the specified time limit.
  •   Cards thrown into the muck will be ruled a “dead hand,” unless a player is involved in an “all in, showdown” situation.
  •   However, House Rules will take precedence. Venues/ House Rules that are governed by juridical gaming laws pertaining to a retrievable rule shall apply.
  •   A player is not in his/her seat by the time the first card is dealt out to the first player by the dealer.
  •   A player uses a “communication device” at the table with his/her action still pending.

  
  (TDA RULE #61) DEAD HANDS IN STUD.
  In stud poker, if a player picks up the upcards while facing action, the hand is dead.
  Proper mucking in stud is turning down all up cards and pushing them all forward face down.

• 72.1:   In Flop games, if at any time, a board error occurs, the dealer MUST immediately STOP all action and report the error to a Floor Person or the Tournament Director.
  
  
• 72.2:   Anytime a board error or any unclear discrepancy occurs or is noticed after any action has started, it is the right and responsibility of the dealer to notify the Tournament Director.
  The Tournament Director will interpret how a rule will apply and how the hand should continue based on fairness towards all players and the event.
  On occasion, unusual circumstances may arise that may dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules.
  
  
• 72.3:   Any time action has begun with an error on the board, a “misdeal” cannot be declared. The only time a misdeal will be declared on a board with action is when there is a “fouled deck.”
  
  
• 72.4:   The idea of correcting any mistakes/board errors is to keep the original game as close to perfect as possible, and the Tournament Director should always act in the interests of minimizing the damage and give the best possible percentage of the original board.
  
  
• 72.5:   In the event of a premature flop: The flop will be added back into the deck and re-shuffled.
  
  
• 72.6:   In the event of a premature turn: The original river will be dealt facedown, the turn will be reshuffled. Once flop action has been completed the turn can then be re-dealt.
  
  
• 72.7:   In the event of a premature river: The river will be reshuffled and re-dealt once action has completed on the turn.
  
  
• 72.8:   Should the floor person feel that the player who missed their action had more than an adequate amount of time to make the dealer aware, the following will be ruled:
  When facing a bet: Hand ruled dead and the flop/turn/river will stand.
  When facing a check: Player will be forced to check and the flop/turn/river will stand.

  
  TDA RULE #36) FOUR CARD FLOPS & PREMATURE CARDS.
  If the flop has 4 rather than 3 cards, exposed or not, the floor will be called.
  The dealer then scrambles the 4 cards face down, the floor randomly selects one as the next burn card and the other 3 are the flop.
  For prematurely dealt cards, see Recommended Procedure 5.
  
  RP-5. Prematurely Dealt Cards
  Board and burn cards are sometimes dealt prematurely by mistake, before action on the preceding round is finished. The following are general procedures for dealing with these situations:
  A: For a premature flop, the flop burncard is left in place as the burn. The premature flop board cards are returned to the deck stub and reshuffled. The flop is then re-dealt (without another burn card) from the newly shuffled stub.
  B: A premature turn card is put to the side. Another card is burnt, and the normal river card is used as the new turn card.
  After action on the turn, the premature turn card is placed back in the stub, the stub is reshuffled and a river card is dealt without an additional burn.
  C: A premature river card is placed back into the remaining stub, and the premature river burn card is left in place as the river burn.
  Once action on the turn is completed, the stub is reshuffled and the river is dealt without a new burn card.
  D: For a premature card in stud, additional cards are dealt and placed to the side along with the premature card(s) to represent an entire round of cards for the remaining live players.
  Once action on the round is complete, the next street is burned and dealt as normal.
  Once the final street is reached, the premature and additional cards set to the side are placed back into the stub.
  The stub is re-shuffled then the final street is dealt.

  The Tournament Director should apply the following procedure for the prescribed board errors:
  
  
  
  
  

  
  TOO MANY BOARD CARDS – AT LEAST ONE PLAYER HAS ACTED

  Anytime a board error occurs or is noticed after any action has started, it is the right and responsibility of the Tournament Director to interpret how a rule will apply and how the hand will continue. On occasion, unusual circumstances may arise that may dictate decisions in the interest of fairness and will take priority over the technical rules.

• 73.1:   To speed up the game, tournament organization is able to use the ‘Shot Clock’ rule.
  
  
• 73.2:   The Shot Clock rule gives players a maximum amount of seconds per decision they have. This is enforced by dealers who can track the time, based on the tournament clock or other technology provided. Each player gets a predetermined amount of ‘time extension cards or chips’ at the start of the tournament. Whenever a player needs more time than for a decision he can use the ‘time extension card’. This time extension card add a certain amount of time to the action of the player.
  
  
• 73.3:   Dealers will provide a 10 second warning and a 5 second countdown, if a player runs out of time, when the time runs out, the following will take place:
  •   Player has a timebank available: The player will automatically have their time extended.
  •   Player has no timebank available: The action will be ruled as a forced check or fold.
  
  
• 73.4:   Whenever a player wants to use the ‘time extension card’. He or she has to put it over the betting line.
  A predetermined amount of time will be added to the players decision from that moment of time.
  
  
• 73.5:   Players may use more than 1 ‘time extension’ per decision.
  
  
• 73.6:   The Tournament organization has the right to decide how many time extension cards will be added to the game and when. This should be communicated before the start of the tournament in a transparent way.
  
  
• 73.7:   A time extension card will be valid during the whole tournament.
  
  
• 73.8:   The International Poker Rules recommend the following allowances for time:
  Sub 30 minute clock events: 20 second initial thinking period, with 30 second timebank.
  30+ minute clock events: 30 second initial thinking period, with 30 second timebank.
  
  
• 73.9:   It is the tournament management's responsibility to predetermine the length of the shot clock and to communicate this in a transparent way to the players.
  
  
• 73.10:   The tournament organization is responsible for advertising how many timebank chips/cards will be given per player and how they are managed.
  
  
• 73.11:   Should there be any disagreements regarding the enforcing of the shot clock rules at the table, the floor must be called to resolve the situation, the Tournament Directors ruling shall be final.

• 74.1:   Any player in the tournament may put another player on the “Clock,” if a player is taking more than a reasonable amount of time to make a decision.
  
  
• 74.2:   Once a reasonable amount of time has passed and a “Clock” is called for, a Floor Person or the Tournament Director will be called to the table. A player will be given a maximum of 1 minute to complete their action and will be given a verbal 10- second countdown within that 1 minute. If a player has not acted when the “1” second mark is announced, the player’s hand will be declared a “dead hand.”
  
  
• 74.3:   A player intentionally stalling the progress of the game will incur a penalty.
  
  
• 74.4:   The Tournament Director reserves the right to put a “Clock” on any player taking more than a reasonable amount of time to make a decision.
  
  
• 74.5:   As a guideline for all International tournaments with a level time of fifteen minutes or less, the clock will be thirty seconds, with a five second countdown.
  
  
• 74.6:   In special circumstances, players from one table may like to call the “Clock” on players from other tables. If this situation occurs, the player must address this to the dealer at the table in order to have the Floor staff make a decision according to the given situation at that time.
  
  
• 74.7:   In case a player delays the gameflow with intention, the management can decide to change the clock/time procedure instant.

  
  (TDA RULE #27) CALLING FOR A CLOCK.
  A clock will be approved only after reasonable time passes.
  Any player in the event may request a clock. If the floor approves the request, a player has up to 50 seconds to act.
  If action is not taken before time expires, there will be a 10-second count.
  If the player does not act by the end of the count, the hand is dead. A tie goes to the player.
  TDs may reduce the time allowed to act and take other steps to fit the game format and stop persistent delays. See also Rules 2 and 65.

• 75.1:   Approaching the point at which prize money will be distributed (“The Money Bubble”), the Tournament Director will reserve the right to dictate “hand for hand” action during a tournament.
  This will continue until enough players have been eliminated to reach the prize money stage of the tournament.
  
  
• 75.2:   When “hand for hand” action is announced, all “electronic devices” may NO longer be used and must be removed.
  
  
• 75.3:   During “hand for hand” play, all tables will begin the “new deal” at the same time. When all players at a table have completed their hand, all play will halt. Dealers will not begin a “new deal” until instructed.
  •   Called All-in – During hand for hand play, when a Dealer has a called 'All-in' at their table, they are instructed to freeze all action remaining at that table, including asking the players to not reveal their hands.
  

  •   This 'All-in' table will wait to finish its hand until all other tables remaining in the tournament have completed that specific hand. At that point, Floor staff will attend the All-in table and instruct them when to complete the hand.
  
  

• 75.4:   During “hand for hand” play, the Tournament Director reserves the right to control street for street action.
  
  
• 75.5:   During “hand for hand” action, when players seated at different tables are eliminated on the same hand, al eliminated players will share the same finishing place.
  Players will evenly share the finishing place and payout.
  When one or more players at the same table are eliminated on the same hand, the player with the lower chip count will be considered to be eliminated first.
  
  
• 75.6:   When hand for hand the clock will not be paused until a complete level has been played, at which point the clock will be paused and the blinds will be raised. Once the hand for hand is complete the clock will be restarted and players will then play the entirety of the current level. During this period, if play is particularly slow the Tournament Director has the right to better use their judgement and pause the clock sooner, for example:
  60 min clock, and the hand for hand starts with 40 mins on the clock, with just a few hands taken place due to a slow pace when the level is completed the Tournament Director may feel it would be in the best interests of the tournament to pause at the end of the level rather than after another 60 minute level.

• 76.1:   Prior to the “payout level,” “hand for hand” action will be in play.
  
  
• 76.2:   Once players have reached the “hand for hand play,” all “electronic devices” may NO longer be used and must be removed.
  
  
• 76.3:   Players eliminated must immediately proceed as instructed, to ensure proper finishing place and payout.
  
  
• 76.4:   Once the “payout level,” is reached, if players seated at different tables are eliminated on the same hand, all eliminated players will share the same finishing place. Players will evenly share the finishing place and payout. When one or more players at the same table are eliminated on the same hand, the player with the lower chip count is considered to be eliminated first.
  
  
• 76.5:   Players are responsible for the filing and payment of any and all taxes associated with tournament winnings according to their personal obligations.
  
  
• 76.6:   Prizes are non-transferable. A player will not receive a payout without proper “valid identification” and verification of tournament registration.
  
  
• 76.7:   The Tournament Director is responsible for making the payout structure readily available to all players, announcing the prize pool and payout schedule in a timely manner. (See Guideline 1.a)

• 77.1:   A “final table” will be created as predetermined by the Tournament Director.
  
  
• 77.2:   When a “final table” is created, all remaining players must “redraw” for seats.
  In Board playing / Flop games, The dealer button will always start at seat 1.
  
  
• 77.3:   In flop games, the final table will consist the same number of players as the tournament is played with exceptions on management decisions are always final.
  In six-handed games, the final table will consist of 7 players.
  In eight-handed games, the final table consist of 9 players.
  In stud games, the final table will consist of 9 players.
  In a seven-handed event (i.e. 2-7 draw lowball) the final table will consist of 8 players.

  
  (TDA RULE #11) NUMBER OF PLAYERS AT THE FINAL TABLE.
  Final tables will have the number of players at a full table for the event, plus one more player. (ex: 9-handed events seat 10 at the final table, 8-handed stud seats 9, 6-handed seats 7, etc.).
  No final table should seat more than 10.
  This rule does not apply to heads-up events.

• 78.1:   All players in an event are obligated to obey the Tournament Director’s deal making policy.
  This information will be made available to players before the event starts.
  
  
• 78.2:   To maintain a high level of fairness, all prizes in deals will be decided using the Independent Chip Model (ICM) calculator. The Tournament Director will happily workout current deal offerings at request. It will be the Tournament Directors responsibility to ensure everybody is happy to do the deal, if not then the players will continue to play.
  
  
• 78.3:   The tournament clock will be paused during discussions about deals with the Tournament Director.
  
  
• 78.4:   Deals for tournaments that include Seat tickets as well as Cash prizes:
  •   Where all remaining parties have guaranteed themselves a Seat ticket as well as their cash prize, the players will each receive their ticket plus the deal offering that splits only the remaining cash prize pool by ICM Calculator.
  •   When discussions are taking place and not all parties have seat tickets won, the players will have the option of either:
  •   Doing a deal for the remaining cash prize pool (using the ICM Chip Model) and playing out for the seat tickets;
  •   Ending the tournament, with the Tournament Director suggesting a fair offering based on current ICM figures and the value of the seats weighed into the prizes.
  
  
• 78.5:   Any agreement that excludes one or more active competitors or is made without the Tournament Director’s knowledge, is considered improper. By definition it may be judged as collusion, and can or may be deemed as grounds for disqualification.
  
  
• 78.6:   Any player who attempts to constrain, coerce or force another player to agree with a deal, will receive a penalty, and the deal will be deemed void.
  
  
• 78.7:   Deals will only be allowed in venues where it does not conflict with any gaming rules or regulations that applies to the venue, and in accordance with the local gaming laws.
  
  
• 78.8:   The Tournament Director will ensure that all players unanimously agree with the deal.
  The TD will ensure all players are happy to finalise the deal by using the black card/red card process.
  
  Black = Deal
  

  Red = No deal
  

  This process eliminates pressuring.

• 79.1:   In crazy pineapple players start with three hole cards.
  
  
• 79.2:   After the flop has been dealt players must continue with 2 hole cards.
  •   The player has to discard one of his three hole cards facedown into the muck when the player has made his action.
  •   The next player is in turn when the previous player made action and discarded one card.
  •   When all players have discarded one card, the game continues like a normal hold em game.
  
  
• 79.3:   Whenever a player acts before the previous player has discarded his third hole card, the player acts out of turn. In these cases the out of turn rule will apply.
  
  
• 79.4:   It is the players responsibility to be aware of previous players discarding their third card, since players can get illegal advantage of late discarding their third card.
  
  
• 79.5:   A player who ‘forgets’ to discards a third hole card can be penalized.

The Poker TDA is a voluntary poker industry association founded in 2001. The TDA mission is to increase global uniformity of poker tournament rules. TDA Rules supplement the conventional rules of this house. In case of conflict with a gaming agency, the agency rules apply.

• 1: Floor Decisions
  The best interest of the game and fairness are top priorities in decision-making. Unusual circumstances occasionally dictate that common-sense decisions in the interest of fairness take priority over technical rules. Floor decisions are final.
  
  
• 2: Player Responsibilities
  Players should verify registration data and seat assignments, verify they’re dealt the correct number of cards before SA occurs, protect their hands, make their intentions clear, follow the action, act in turn with proper terminology and gestures, defend their right to act, keep cards visible and chips correctly stacked, remain at the table with a live hand, table all cards properly when competing at showdown, speak up if they see a mistake, play in a timely manner, call for a clock when warranted, transfer tables promptly, follow one player to a hand, know and comply with the rules, practice proper etiquette, inform the house if they see or experience discriminatory or offensive behavior, and generally contribute to an orderly event where all players feel welcome.
  
  
• 3: Official Terminology and Gestures
  Official betting terms are simple, unmistakable, time-honored declarations like bet, raise, call, fold, check, all-in, complete, and pot (pot-limit only). Regional terms may also meet this test. Also, players must use gestures with caution when facing action; tapping the table is a check. It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear: using non-standard terms or gestures is at player’s risk and may result in a ruling other than what the player intended. See also Rules 2 and 42.
  
  
• 4: Player Identity
  Clothing or other accoutrements must not continuously obscure player identity or become a distraction to the game. House standards will apply in the sole judgment of the TD.
  
  
• 5: Electronic Devices and Communication
  Players may not talk on a phone at the table. Ring tones, music, images, video etc. should be inaudible and non-disturbing to others. Betting apps and charts may not be used by players with live hands. These and other devices, tools, photography, videography, and communication must not create a nuisance, delay the game or create competitive advantage and are subject to house and gaming regulations. Violations of this paragraph may be subject to penalties in Rule 71.
  
  
• 6: Official Language
  The house will clearly post and announce acceptable language(s) at the table.
  
  

• 7: Random Correct Seating
  Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly assigned. A player starting in a wrong seat with a correct chip stack will move to the correct seat with his or her current total chip stack.
  
  
• 8: Alternates, Late Registration, and Re-Entries
  A: Alternates, players registering late, and re-entries will be sold full stacks. They will randomly draw a seat and table by the same process and from the same seat pool then in place for new players and are dealt in except between the small blind and button.
  
  B: In re-entry events, if a player is permitted to forfeit chips and buy a new stack, the forfeited chips will be removed from play.
  
  
• 9: Special Needs
  Accommodations for players with special needs will be made when possible.
  
  
• 10: New Players and Players from Broken Tables
  A: New players entering the tournament and players from broken tables can get any seat including the small or big blind or the button and be dealt in except between the SB and button.
  
  B: Players from a broken table will be assigned new tables and seats by a 2-step random process. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  
• 11: Balancing Tables and Halting Play
  A: To balance in flop and mixed-games, the player to be big blind next moves to the worst position, including single big blind if available, even if that means the seat is big blind twice. Worst position is never the small blind. In stud-only, players move by position (last seat open at the short table is the seat filled).
  
  B: In mixed games (ex: HORSE), when the game shifts from hold’em to stud, after the last hold’em hand the button moves to the position it would be if the next hand was hold’em and is frozen there during stud. The player moved in stud is the player who would be big blind if the game were hold’em for that hand. Shifting to hold'em the button starts where it was frozen.
  
  C: The table from which a player is moved will be specified by a predetermined procedure.
  
  D: Play will halt on tables 3 or more players short (by elimination) than the table with the most players once the blinds are impacted (See Illustration Addendum). Play halts on other formats (ex: 6-hand and turbos) at TDs discretion. TDs may waive halting play and waiver is not a misdeal. As the event progresses, at TD’s discretion tables should be more tightly balanced.
  
  

• 12: Declarations. Cards Speak at Showdown
  Cards speak to determine the winner. Verbal declarations of hand value are not binding at showdown but deliberately miscalling a hand may be penalized. Dealers should read and announce hand values at showdown. Any player, in the hand or not, should speak up if he or she thinks a mistake is made in reading hands or calculating and awarding the pot.
  
  
• 13: Tabling Cards and Killing Winning Hand
  A: Proper tabling is both
  1) turning all cards face up on the table and
  2) allowing the dealer and players to read the hand clearly. “All cards” means both hole cards in hold’em, all 4 hole cards in Omaha, all 7 cards in 7-stud, etc.
  
  B: At showdown players must protect their hands while waiting for cards to be read (See also Rule 65). Players who don’t fully table all cards, then muck thinking they’ve won, do so at their own risk. If a hand is not 100% retrievable and identifiable and the TD rules it was not clearly read, the player has no claim to the pot. The TDs decision on whether a hand was sufficiently tabled is final.
  
  C: Dealers cannot kill a properly tabled hand that was obviously the winner.
  
  
• 14: Live Cards at Showdown
  Discarding non-tabled cards face down does not automatically kill them; players may change their minds and table cards that remain 100% identifiable and retrievable. Cards are killed by the dealer when pushed into the muck or otherwise rendered irretrievable and unidentifiable.
  
  
• 15: Showdown and Discarding Irregularities
  A: If a player tables one card that would make a winning hand, the dealer should advise the player to table all cards. If the player refuses, the floor should be called.
  
  B: If a player bets then discards thinking he or she has won (forgetting another player is still in the hand), the dealer should hold the cards and call the floor (a Rule 58 exception). If cards are mucked and not retrievable and identifiable to 100% certainty, the player is out and not entitled to a refund of called bets. If cards are mucked and the player initiated a bet or raise not yet called, the uncalled amount will be returned.
  
  
• 16: Face Up for All-Ins
  All hands will be tabled without delay once a player is all-in and all betting action by all other players in the hand is complete. No player who is either all-in or has called all betting action may muck his or her hand without tabling. All hands in both the main and side pot(s) must be tabled and are live. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  
• 17: Non All-In Showdowns and Showdown Order
  A: In a non all-in showdown, if cards are not spontaneously tabled or discarded, the TD may enforce an order of show. The last aggressive player on the final betting round (final street) must table first. If there was no final round bet, the player who would act first in a final betting round must table first (i.e. first seat left of the button in flop games, high hand showing in stud, low hand in razz, etc.).
  
  B: A non all-in showdown is uncontested if all but one player mucks face down without tabling. The last player with live cards wins and is not required to table the cards.
  
  
• 18: Asking to See a Hand
  A: Players not still in possession of cards at showdown, or who have mucked their cards face down without tabling, lose any rights or privileges to ask to see any hand.
  
  B: If there was a river bet, any caller has an inalienable right to have the last aggressor’s hand tabled on request (“the hand they paid to see”) provided the caller tabled or retains his or her cards. TDs discretion governs all other requests such as to see the hand of another caller, or if there was no river bet. See Illustration Addendum [adopted 2013].
  
• 19: Playing the Board at Showdown
  To play the board, players must table all hole cards to get part of the pot (See Rule 13-A).
  
  
• 20: Awarding Odd Chips
  First, odd chips will be broken into the smallest denomination in play.
  A) Board games with 2 or more high or low hands: the odd chip goes to the first seat left of the button.
  B) Stud, razz, and if 2 or more high or low hands in stud/8: the odd chip goes to the high card by suit in the player’s 5-card winning hand.
  C) H/L split: the odd chip in the total pot goes to the high side.
  D) Deleted 2022.
  
  
• 21: Side Pots
  Each side pot will be split separately.
  
  
• 22: Disputed Hands and Pots
  The reading of a tabled hand may be disputed until the next hand begins (see Rule 23). Accounting errors in calculating and awarding the pot may be disputed until substantial action occurs on the next hand. If a hand finishes during a break, the right to any dispute ends 1 minute after the pot is awarded.
  
  

• 23: New Hand and New Limits
  A new level starts on announcement after the clock reaches zero. The new level applies to the next hand. Hands begin on the first riffle, push of the shuffler button, or on the dealer push. If a hand starts at the prior level by mistake, the hand will continue at the prior level after substantial action occurs (Rule 36).
  
  
• 24: Chip Race, Scheduled Color Ups
  A: At scheduled color-ups, chips will be raced off starting in seat 1, with a maximum of one chip awarded to a player. Players can’t be raced out of play: a player losing his or her last chip(s) in a race will get 1 chip of the lowest denomination still in play.
  
  B: Players must have their chips fully visible and are encouraged to witness the chip race.
  
  C: If after the race, a player still has chips of a removed denomination, they will be exchanged for current denominations only at equal value. Chips of removed denominations that do not fully total at least the smallest denomination still in play will be removed without compensation.
  
  
• 25: Cards and Chips Kept Visible, Countable, and Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups
  A: Players, dealers, and the floor are entitled to a reasonable estimation of chip counts; thus, chips should be kept in countable stacks. The TDA recommends clean vertical stacks of 20 same denomination chips each as a standard. Higher denomination chips must be visible and identifiable at all times. If a floor person can’t look at a chip stack and quickly estimate its value, players likely can’t either..
  
  B: TDs control the number and denominations of chips in play and may color up one or more players at their discretion at any time. Discretionary color ups are to be announced.
  
  C: Players must keep live hands in plain view at all times.
  
  
• 26: Deck Changes
  Deck changes will be on the dealer push or level changes or as prescribed by the house. Players may not ask for deck changes.
  
  
• 27: Re-buys
  Players may not miss a hand. Players declaring intent to rebuy before a hand are playing chips behind and must make the re-buy.
  
  
• 28: Rabbit Hunting
  Rabbit hunting (revealing cards that would have come if the hand had not ended) is not allowed.
  
  
• 29: Calling for a Clock
  Players should act in a timely manner to maintain a reasonable pace of the game. If in TD’s judgement reasonable time has passed, he or she may call the clock or approve a clock request by any player in the event. Players must be at their seats to call for a clock (Rule 30). A player on the clock has up to 25 seconds plus a 5 second countdown to act. If the player faces a bet and time expires, the hand is dead; if not facing a bet, the hand is checked. A tie goes to the player. TDs may adjust the time allowed and take other steps to fit the game and stop persistent delays. See also Rules 2 and 70.
  
  

• 30: At Your Seat and Live Hands
  To have a live hand, players must be at their seats when the last card is dealt to all players on the initial deal. Players not then at their seats may not look at their cards which are killed immediately. Their posted blinds and antes forfeit to the pot and an absent player dealt the stud bring-in card posts the bring-in. “At your seat” means in reach of your chair. This rule is not intended to encourage players to be out of their seats while in a hand.
  
  
• 31: At the Table with Action Pending
  Players with live hands (including players all-in or otherwise finished betting) must remain at the table for all betting rounds and showdown. Leaving the table is incompatible with protecting your hand and following the action and is subject to penalty.
  
  

• 32: Dead Button
  Tournament play will use a dead button.
  
  
• 33: Dodging Blinds
  Players who intentionally dodge any blind will incur a penalty.
  
  
• 34: Button in Heads-up
  Heads-up, the small blind is the button, is dealt the last card, and acts first pre-flop and last on all other betting rounds. Starting heads-up play, the button may need to be adjusted to ensure no player has the big blind twice in a row.
  
  

• 35: Misdeals and Fouled Decks
  A: Misdeals include but are not necessarily limited to: 1) 2 or more boxed cards on the initial deal; 2) first card dealt to the wrong seat; 3) cards dealt to a seat not entitled to a hand; 4) a seat entitled to a hand is dealt out; 5) the wrong number of cards is dealt to any player (except Rule 37); 6) Before SA, a non-standard card for the game type is found (example: jokers, 2-3-4-5 in short deck); 7) In flop games, if 1 of the first 2 cards dealt off the deck or any other 2 downcards are exposed by dealer error. House rules apply for draw games (ex: lowball).
  
  B: Players may be dealt 2 consecutive cards on the button (see also Rule 37).
  
  C: In misdeals, the re-deal is an exact re-play: the button doesn’t move, no new players are seated, limits stay the same. Cards are dealt to players on penalty or not at their seats for the original deal (Rule 30), then their hands are killed. The original deal and re-deal count as 1 hand for a player on penalty, not 2.
  
  D: Once substantial action occurs (see Rule 36) a misdeal cannot be declared; the hand must proceed unless the deck is fouled. Non-standard cards found after SA are treated as scraps of paper (exception: fouled decks).
  
  E: Fouled decks. If 2 or more cards of the same suit and rank are found, the deck is fouled. Other fouled deck conditions may be defined by local gaming regulations and house policy. If a fouled deck is discovered, regardless of SA, play will stop and all bets will be returned. Once a hand concludes, the right to dispute based on a fouled deck ends according to Rule 22.
  
  
• 36: Substantial Action (SA)
  Substantial Action is either A) any 2 actions in turn, at least one of which puts chips in the pot (i.e. any 2 actions except 2 checks or 2 folds) or B) any combination of 3 actions in turn (check, bet, raise, call, fold). Posted blinds do not count towards SA. See Rules 35-D and 53-B.
  
  
• 37: Button with Too Few Cards
  A player on the button dealt too few cards should announce it immediately. Missing button cards may be replaced even after substantial action if permitted for the game type. However, if the button acts on a hand with too few cards (by check or bet), the button’s hand is dead.
  
  
• 38: Burns After Substantial Action
  The burn card is to protect the stub, not “preserve card order”. If SA occurs and a hand is killed due to the wrong number of cards, all cards of the killed hand are mucked and randomness applies to further dealing (See also RP-14 Randomness). The stub is treated as a normal stub and one and only one card is burned off the stub for each subsequent street. The burn is always one card per street, never more. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  
• 39: Irregular Flops and Premature-Dealt Cards
  A: 4-Card Flops. If the flop has 4 rather than 3 cards, exposed or not, and regardless of whether the door card is presumed known, the floor will be called. The dealer then scrambles the 4 cards face down, the floor randomly selects 1 as the next burn card and the other 3 are the flop (See also RP-14 Randomness).
  
  B: If there was no burn on a 3-card flop, exposed or not and regardless of whether the door card is presumed known, if no action has occurred, the 3 cards are scrambled face down, one chosen as the burn. The flop will be the other 2 cards plus the next card off the stub. If any action (even one check) has occurred, play proceeds with the initial 3 cards. Only one card is burned for the turn.
  
  C: For prematurely dealt cards, see Recommended Procedure 5.
  
  D: Reshuffling During a Hand. To protect game integrity, anytime the stub must be re-shuffled during the play of a hand, the cards must be shuffled face-down and unexposed. Examples include premature cards (Rule 39 and RP-5), disordered stub (RP-4), extra draw or stud cards (RP-10-H), etc.
  
  

• 40: Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips
  A: Bets are by verbal declaration and/or pushing out chips. If a player does both, whichever is first defines the bet. If simultaneous, a clear and reasonable verbal declaration takes precedence, otherwise the chips play. In unclear situations or where verbal and chips are contradictory, the TD will determine the bet based on the circumstances and Rule 1. See Illustration Addendum. See also Rule 57.
  
  B: Verbal declarations may be general (“call”, “raise”), a specific amount only (“one thousand”) or both (“raise, one thousand”).
  
  C: For all betting rules, declaring a specific amount only is the same as silently pushing out an equal amount. Ex: Declaring “two hundred” is the same as silently pushing out 200 in chips.
  
  
• 41: Methods of Calling
  Standard and acceptable forms of calling include: A) saying “call”; B) pushing out chips equal to a call; C) silently pushing out an overchip; or D) silently pushing out multiple chips equal to a call under the multi-chip rule (Rule 45). Silently betting chip(s) relatively tiny to the bet (ex: blinds 2k-4k. A bets 50k, B then silently puts out one 1k chip) is non-standard, strongly discouraged, subject to penalty, and will be interpreted at TDs discretion, including being ruled a full call.
  
  
• 42: Methods of Raising
  In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by A) pushing out the full amount in one motion or B) verbally declaring the full amount prior to pushing out chips. It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear. Note: 2-motion raises eliminated in 2019.
  
  
• 43: Raise Amounts
  A: A raise must be at least equal to the largest prior full bet or raise of the current betting round. A player who raises 50% or more of the largest prior bet but less than a minimum raise must make a full minimum raise. If less than 50% it is a call unless “raise” is first declared or the player is all-in (Rule 45-B). Declaring an amount or pushing out the same amount of chips is treated the same (Rule 40-C). Ex: NLHE, opening bet is 1000, verbally declaring “Fourteen hundred” or silently pushing out 1400 in chips are both calls unless raise is first declared. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  B: Without other clarifying information, declaring raise and an amount is the total bet. Ex: A opens for 2000, B declares “Raise, eight thousand.” The total bet is 8000.
  
  
• 44: Oversized Chip Betting (Overchips)
  If facing a bet or blind, pushing out a single oversized chip (including your last chip) is a call if raise isn’t first declared. To raise with an overchip you must declare raise before the chip hits the table surface. If raise is declared but no amount is stated, the raise is the maximum allowable for the chip. If not facing a bet, pushing out an overchip silently (no declaration) is a bet of the maximum for the chip.
  
  
• 45: Multiple Chip Betting
  A: If facing a bet, unless raise or all-in is declared first, a multiple-chip bet (including a bet of your last chips) is a call if every chip is needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves less than the call amount. Ex-1: Player A opens for 400: B raises to 1100 total (a 700 raise), C puts out one 500 and one 1000 chip silently. This is a call because removing the 500 chip leaves less than the 1100 call amount. Ex-2: NLHE 25-50. Post-flop A opens for 1050 and B puts out his last chips (two 1000’s). B calls unless raise or all-in was first declared.
  
  B: If every chip is not needed to make the call; i.e. removing just one of the smallest chips leaves the call amount or more: 1) if the player has chips remaining, the 50% standard in Rule 43 governs the bet. 2) A bet of a player’s last chip(s) is an all-in bet whether reaching the 50% threshold or not. See Addendum.
  
  
• 46: Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In
  A: To avoid confusion, players with prior-bet chips not yet pulled in who face a raise should verbalize their action before adding chips to the prior bet.
  
  B: If facing a raise, clearly pulling back a prior bet chip binds a player to call or raise; he or she may not put the chip(s) back out and fold.
  
  C: If new chip(s) are added silently and the bet is unclear to the house, the call and raise rules 41-45 apply as follows: 1) If prior chips don’t cover the call AND are either left alone OR fully pulled back, an overchip is a call and multiple new chips are subject to the 50% raise standard (Rule 43). 2) If prior chips are partly pulled back OR if prior chips cover the call, the combined final chip bet is a raise if reaching the 50% standard (Rules 43 and 45), if less it is a call. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  
• 47: Re-Opening the Bet.
  A: In no-limit and pot limit, an all-in wager (or cumulative multiple short all-ins) totaling less than a full bet or raise will not reopen betting for players who have already acted and are not facing at least a full bet or raise when the action returns to them. If multiple short all-ins re-open the betting, the minimum raise is always the last full valid bet or raise of the round (See also Rule 43).
  
  B: In limit, at least 50% of a full bet or raise is required to re-open betting for players who have already acted. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  
• 48: Number of Allowable Raises
  There is no cap on the number of raises in no-limit and pot-limit. In limit play, there is a limit to raises even when heads-up until the event is down to 2 players; the house limit applies.
  
  
• 49: Accepted Action
  Poker is a game of alert, continuous observation. It is the caller’s responsibility to determine the correct amount of an opponent’s bet before calling, regardless of what is stated by others. If a caller requests a count but receives incorrect information from a dealer or player, then pushes out that amount or declares call, the caller has accepted the full correct action and is subject to the correct wager or all-in amount. As with all situations, Rule 1 may apply at TD’s discretion. See also RP-12.
  
  
• 50: Acting in Turn
  A: Players must act in turn verbally and/or by pushing out chips. Action in turn is binding and commits chips to the pot that stay in the pot.
  
  B: Players must wait for clear bet amounts before acting. Ex: NLHE, A says “raise” (but no amount), and B quickly folds. B should wait to act until A’s raise amount is clear.
  
  
• 51: Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn
  A: General verbal declarations in turn (such as “call” or “raise”) commit a player to the full current action. See Illustration Addendum
  
  B: A player undercalls by declaring or pushing out less than the call amount without first declaring “call”. An undercall is a mandatory full call if made in turn facing 1) any bet heads-up or 2) the opening bet on any round multi-way. In other situations, TD’s discretion applies. The opening bet is the first chip bet of each betting round (not a check). In blind games the posted BB is the pre-flop opener. All-in buttons reduce undercall frequency (See Recommended Procedure 1). This rule governs when players must make a full call and when, at TDs discretion they may forfeit the amount of the intended undercall and fold (see Illustration Addendum). For underbets and underraises, see Rule 52.
  
  C: If two or more undercalls occur in sequence, play backs up to the first undercaller who must correct his or her bet per Rule 51-B. The TD will determine how to treat hands of the remaining bettors based on the circumstances.
  
  
• 52: Incorrect Bets, Underbets and Underraises
  A: In limit and no-limit, opening or raising less than the minimum legal amount is corrected anywhere on the current street (if on the river any time before showdown starts). Ex: NLHE 100-200, post-flop A opens for 600 and B raises to 1000 (a 200 underraise). C and D call, E folds then the error is noticed. Increase the bet to 1200 total for all bettors any time before the turn is dealt. After the turn the error stands. For undercalls, see Rule 51.
  
  B: In pot limit, if a player underbets the pot based on an inaccurate count, if the pot count is too high (an illegal bet), it will be corrected for all players anywhere on the current street; if too low, corrected until substantial action occurs after the bet. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  
• 53: Action Out of Turn (OOT)
  A: Any action out of turn (check, call, or raise) will be backed up to the correct player in order. The OOT action is subject to penalty and is binding if action to the OOT player does not change. A check, call or fold by the correct player does not change action. If action changes, the OOT action is not binding; any bet or raise is returned to the OOT player who has all options: call, raise, or fold. An OOT fold is binding. See Illustration Addendum.
  
  B: Players skipped by OOT action must defend their right to act. If a skipped player had reasonable time and does not speak up before substantial action (Rule 36) OOT occurs after the player, the OOT action is binding. Action backs up and the floor will rule on how to treat the skipped hand given the circumstances, including ruling the hand dead or limiting the player to non-aggressive action. See Addendum.
  
• 54: Pot Size and Pot-Limit Bets
  A: Players are entitled to a pot count in pot-limit only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit.
  
  B: Pre-flop a short all-in blind will not affect calculation of the maximum pot limit bet. Post-flop, bets are based on actual pot size.
  
  C: Declaring “I bet the pot” is not a valid bet in no-limit but it does bind the player to making a valid bet (at least a minimum bet) and may be subject to penalty. Players facing a bet must make a valid raise.
  
  
• 55: Invalid Bet Declarations
  If a player faces no bet and: A) declares “call”, it is a check; B) declares “raise”, the player must make at least a minimum bet. A player declaring “check” when facing a bet may call or fold, but cannot raise.
  
  
• 56: String Bets and Raises
  Dealers will call string bets and raises.
  
  
• 57: Non-Standard and Unclear Betting
  Players use unofficial betting terms and gestures at their own risk. These may be interpreted to mean other than what the player intended. Also, if a declared bet can legally have multiple meanings, it will be ruled the highest reasonable amount that is less than or equal to the pot size* before the bet. Ex: NLHE 200-400, the pot totals less than 5000, player declares “I bet five.” With no other clarifying information, the bet is 500; if the pot totals 5000 or more, the bet is 5000. *The pot is the total of all prior bets including any bets in front of a player not yet pulled in. See Rules 2, 3, 40 and 42.
  
  
• 58: Non-Standard Folds
  Any time before the end of the final betting round, folding in turn if there’s no bet to you (ex: facing a check or first to act post-flop) or folding out of turn are binding folds subject to penalty. See also 15-B.
  
  
• 59: Conditional and Premature Declarations
  A: Conditional statements of future action are non-standard and strongly discouraged. At TDs discretion they may be binding and/or penalized. Example: “if – then” statements such as "If you bet, I will raise.”
  
  B: If Player A declares “bet” or “raise” and B calls before A’s exact bet amount is known, the TD will rule the bet as best fits the situation including possibly obliging B to call any amount.
  
  
• 60: Count of Opponent’s Chip Stack
  Players, dealers, and the floor are entitled to a reasonable estimation of opponents’ chip stacks (Rule 25). A player may request a more precise count only if facing an all-in bet and it is his or her turn to act. The all-in player is not required to count; on request the dealer or floor will count it. Accepted action applies (Rule 49). Visible and countable chip stacks (Rule 25) greatly improve counting accuracy.
  
  
• 61: Over-Betting Expecting Change
  Betting should not be used to obtain change. Pushing out more than the intended bet can confuse everyone at the table. All chips pushed out silently are at risk of being counted in the bet. Ex: the opening bet is 325 to player A who silently puts out 525 (one 500 and one 25), expecting 200 change. This is a raise to 650 under the multiple chip rule (Rule 45).
  
  
• 62: All-In with Chips Found Behind Later
  If A bets all-in and a hidden chip is found behind after a player calls, the TD will determine if the chip behind is part of accepted action (Rule 49). If not part of the action, A is not paid off for the chip(s) if he or she wins. If A loses, he or she is not saved by the chip(s) and the TD may award the chip(s) to the winning caller.
  
  

• 63: Chips Out of View and in Transit
  Players may not hold or transport chips in a way that takes them out of view. A player who does so will forfeit the chips and may be disqualified. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play. The TDA recommends the house provide racks or bags to transport chips when needed.
  
  
• 64: Lost and Found Chips
  Lost and found chips for which ownership cannot be determined will be taken out of play and returned to tournament inventory.
  
  
• 65: Accidentally Killed / Fouled / Exposed Hands
  A: Players must protect their hands at all times, including at showdown while waiting for hands to be read. If the dealer kills a hand by mistake or if in TDs judgement a hand is fouled and cannot be identified to 100% certainty, the player has no redress and is not entitled to a refund of called bets. If the player initiated a bet or raise and hasn’t been called, the uncalled amount will be returned.
  
  B: If a hand is fouled but can be identified, it remains in play despite any cards exposed.
  
  
• 66: Dead Hands and Mucking in Stud
  In stud poker, if a player picks up the upcards while facing action, the hand is dead. Proper mucking in stud is turning down all up cards and pushing them all forward face down.
  
  

• 67: No Disclosure. One Player to a Hand
  Players must protect other players in the tournament at all times. Therefore players, whether in the hand or not, must not: 1. Discuss contents of live or mucked hands, 2. Advise or criticize play at any time, 3. Read a hand that hasn't been tabled. One-player-to-a-hand is in effect. Among other things, this rule prohibits showing a hand to or discussing strategy with another player, advisor, or spectator.
  
  
• 68: Exposing Cards and Proper Folding
  Exposing cards with action pending, including the current player when last to act, may result in a penalty but not a dead hand. Any penalty begins at the end of the hand. When folding, cards should be pushed forward low to the table, not deliberately exposed or tossed high (“helicoptered”). See Rule 66..
  
  
• 69: Ethical Play
  Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result in penalties, which may include chip forfeiture and/or disqualification. Chip dumping and other forms of collusion will result in disqualification.
  
  
• 70: Etiquette Violations
  Etiquette violations are subject to enforcement actions in Rule 71. Examples include but are not limited to: persistent delay of the game, unnecessarily touching another player’s person, cards or chips, repeatedly acting out of turn, maintaining poor card or chip visibility and countability, betting out of reach of the dealer, abusive conduct, offensive hygiene, and excessive chatter.
  
  
• 71: Warnings, Penalties, and Disqualification
  A: Enforcement options include but are not limited to verbal warnings, one or more “missed hand” or “missed round” penalties, and disqualification. For missed rounds, the offender will miss one hand for every player (including him or her) at the table when the penalty is given multiplied by the number of penalty rounds. Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties. Players away from the table or on penalty may be anted or blinded out of a tournament.
  
  B: A penalty may be invoked for etiquette violations (Rule 70), card exposure with action pending, throwing cards, violating one-player-to-a-hand, or similar incidents. Penalties will be given for soft play, abuse, disruptive behavior, or cheating. Checking the exclusive nuts when last to act on the river is not an automatic soft play violation; TD’s discretion applies based on the situation.
  
  C: Players on penalty must be away from the table. Cards are dealt to their seats, their blinds and antes posted, their hands are killed after the initial deal, and if dealt the stud bring-in they must post the bring-in.
  
  D: Chips of a disqualified player shall be removed from play.
  
  

TDA Recommended Procedures are policy suggestions to reduce errors and improve event management. They also may apply to situations with too many variations to address in one universal rule. The fairest ruling in these cases may require use of multiple rules, evaluation of all circumstances, and reliance on Rule 1 as a primary guide.

• RP-1. All-In Buttons
  All-in buttons clearly indicate a player is “all-in.” The dealer should keep the buttons (not each player). When a player bets all-in, the dealer places an all-in button in front of the player, in full view of the rest of the table.
  
  
• RP-2. Bringing in Bets is Discouraged
  Routinely bringing in chips as betting and raising proceeds around the table is poor dealing practice. Reducing bet stacks can influence action, create confusion and increase errors. Only the player currently facing action may ask the dealer to bring-in bets.
  
  
• RP-3. Personal Belongings
  The table surface is vital for chip stack management, dealing, and betting. The table and nearby spaces (legroom and walkways) must not be cluttered by non-essential personal items. Each cardroom should clearly display its policy on items allowed in the tournament area.
  
  
• RP-4. Disordered Stub
  When cards remain to be dealt on a hand and the stub is accidentally dropped and appears to be disordered: 1) first try to reconstruct the stub in its original order if possible; 2) If not possible, create a new stub using only the stub cards (not the muck and prior burns). These should be scrambled, shuffled, cut, and play proceeds with the new stub; 3) If when dropped the stub is mixed in with the muck and/or burns, then scramble the mixed cards together, shuffle, and cut. Play proceeds with the new stub.
  
  
• RP-5. Prematurely Dealt Cards
  Board and burn cards are sometimes dealt prematurely, before action on the preceding round is finished. The general procedures for these situations are:
  
  A: Premature flop, leave the flop burn card as the burn. Return the premature board cards to the deck stub and reshuffle the entire stub. Re-deal the flop (without another burn) from the newly shuffled stub.
  
  B: A premature turn card: leave the turn burn card as the burn. Return the premature turn card to the deck stub and reshuffle the entire stub. Re-deal the turn (without another burn) from the newly shuffled stub
  
  C: A premature river card: leave the river burn card as the burn. Return the premature river card to the deck stub and reshuffle the entire stub. Re-deal the river (without another burn) from the newly shuffled stub
  
  D: Premature card in stud: the premature card is returned to the stub, the stub is re-shuffled (See RP-17, reshuffling), and a new street is dealt from the newly shuffled stub without another burn.
  
  
• RP-6. Efficient Movement of Players
  Moving players for breaking and balancing should be expeditious so as not to unduly miss blinds or otherwise delay the game. If possible, players should have racks for chip transport and sufficient color-ups should be done so players do not carry unusually large numbers of chips (see Rules 10, 11 and 63).
  
  
• RP-7. Timing of Dealer Pushes
  The TDA recommends that dealers hold up the push 90 seconds prior to a scheduled break or a level change. This avoids having time expire in crucial stages of the game.
  
  
• RP-8: Hand for Hand Procedures
  A: Payoff eligibility starts at the announcement: “finish the current hand you’re on then hold up, we are going hand for hand”. If enough players bust on the current hand to break into the money, the busting players will be eligible for a share of the place(s) paid on the current hand. Example: NLHE tournament paying 50 players. 52 players remain when the announcement is made and during the current hand 3 players bust. All 3 players will share in the 50th place payout.
  
  B: During H4H play, each hand will run the same pre-determined amount of time off the clock regardless of how long the hand actually takes. The TDA standard is 2-minutes per hand. The 2-minute run-off starts with the current hand at time of announcement. Example: 17:30 remains in the current level when “finish the current hand…” is announced. At the start of the next hand the clock is set to 15:30. At the start of the following hand it is set to 13:30 and so on.
  
  C: So that players can most clearly know the timing of level changes, whenever possible the clock should be reduced by 2-minutes each hand not after “batches” of multiple hands.
  
  D: Blinds continue to increase as time elapses off the clock at the rate of 2 minutes per hand and new levels are reached.
  
  E: Players are encouraged but not required to remain seated during H4H play.
  
  F: In the event of an all-in and call during H4H, the cards of all players in the hand should remain face down. Dealers should not deal additional cards until instructed.
  
  
• RP-9: Number of Players at Final Table
  9 and 8-handed events will combine from two tables of five players each to a 9-handed final table. 7 and 6-handed events will combine from two tables of four players each to a 7-handed final table.
  
  
• RP-10: Tournament Stud Dealing Procedures
  A: A downcard exposed on the initial deal will be the player’s upcard and 3rd street will be dealt down to that player. The player can be the bring-in.
  
  B: A card exposed by the dealer on 7th street will be replaced if betting action remains on the hand. 7th street should be dealt down even if no betting action remains on the hand and in all-in situations the player(s) not at risk expose first.
  
  C: Cards of a player not at his or her seat (See Rule 30) for the deal will be killed. No cards will be dealt to a hand on 4th street that is not live.hands.
  
  D: If there are two or more matching high hands showing in Stud (or Stud-8) or low hands in Razz, betting starts on the hand with the high card by suit in both games.
  
  E: If the player dealt the low card by suit is all-in for the ante, betting starts to his or her left. Players with chips must bet at least the bring-in or fold.
  
  F: Bets will not be doubled on 4th street for a pair showing.
  
  G: For premature cards dealt in stud see RP-5-D.
  
  H: 7th street short stub procedure. If before dealing 7th street the number of cards in the current stub is less than the “required number” (# remaining players + burn card + undealt last card) proceed as follows: A) if the required number can be reached by adding the 3 prior burn cards (for 4th, 5th, and 6th street) the current stub will be scrambled with the prior burns to create a new stub. The new stub will be cut, a card burned, and one card dealt to each player. B) if there are at least 3 cards in the current stub but adding the prior burns would not reach the required number, the dealer will burn the top card of the current stub and deal the next card as a community card in the center of the table. C) if the current stub has less than 3 cards, it will be scrambled with the 3 prior burns for a new stub which will then be cut, a card burned, and the next card dealt as a community card. D) If a community card is in play, the first player who would act on 6th street will be first to act on 7th street.
  
  
• RP-11: No Ante Reduction
  Antes should not be reduced (including at the final table) as play progresses in the event.
  
  
• RP-12: Dealers Should Announce Bets and Raises
  Dealers should routinely announce non-all-in bet values as betting proceeds around the table. All-in bets will be counted only on request of the player currently facing action. Accepted action continues to apply (Rule 49). Scheduled and discretionary color-ups improve bet countability.
  
  
• RP-13: Dealers Should Stack Chips in Split-Pot Games
  Where possible, dealers should periodically stack pot chips in split-pot games. Stacking chips should not obscure players’ view or otherwise disrupt the game.
  
  
• RP-14: Randomness May be Applied to Special Situations
  For error remedies not otherwise covered in the TDA Rules and Procedures, TDs may use the concept of randomness to design a solution.
  
  
• RP-15: Proper Tournament Staff Communication
  A: Outgoing dealers should inform incoming dealers of pertinent information regarding the table. Examples include: blind information, players on warning or penalties, disruptive behavior.
  
  B: The dealer should inform the floor of all existing and potential infractions of Rule 2 (Player Responsibilities) and Rule 70 (Etiquette). Special emphasis on any discriminatory or offensive behavior in general or towards specific players or staff.
  
  
• RP-16: Player Absent on a Breaking Table
  If a player is not present during breaking of a table, their chips should be moved to the new table by a staff member.
  
  
• RP-17: Tournament Draw Betting Procedures
  Limping is allowed in all single-draw games.
  
  
• RP-18: Order of Mixed Games
  In order to reduce errors, in mixed game events (ex HORSE), stud and stud-8 need not be played consecutively.
  
  
• RP-19: Reducing Stalling
  The house should clearly announce intention to reduce stalling so that players understand timely play is expected. It’s recommended that each house establish creative methods for reducing stalling. Some methods successfully used by TDA member houses include: Random table breaks instead of table draws, using fixed # of hands per level, going orbit for orbit, soft hand for hand, and adding a shot clock.
  
  

The Poker TDA is a voluntary poker industry association founded in 2001. The TDA mission is to increase global uniformity of poker tournament rules. TDA Rules supplement the rules of this house. In case of conflict with a gaming agency, the agency rules apply.

• Rule 10: Breaking Tables, 2-Step Random Process.
  A 2-step random or “double-blind” process assures that there is no favoritism in distributing new seat assignments. An example of one such process: 1) show players at the breaking table the new seat cards then scramble the cards face down and form a stack; 2) the dealer then deals one playing card face up to each player. The seat cards are then dealt out with the first seat card going to the player with the highest playing card by suit showing.
  
  
• Rule 11-D: Balancing Tables and Halting Play.
  Example: NLHE 9-handed, table A has 5 players, table B has the most players with 8. Play halts on table A once the BB hits an open seat.
  
  
• Rule 16: Face Up for All-Ins.
  “All hands will be tabled without delay once a player is all-in and all betting action by all other players in the hand is complete”. This rule means that all downcards of all players will be turned up at once when at least one player is all-in and there is no chance of further betting action by the other player(s). Do not wait for the showdown to turn the cards up; do not wait for side pots to be divided before turning up the all-in who is only in for the main pot; if betting action is finalized on any street prior to the showdown, turn the cards up at that point and then run out the remaining cards.
  
  Example 1. NLHE. Two players remain. On the turn, Player A (the shorter stack) pushes all-in and is called by B. Turn both A and B’s downcards up at this point, then burn and turn the river and proceed to showdown.
  
  Example 2. NLHE. Three players remain.
  Pre-flop, Player A (the shortest stack) pushes all-in and is called by both B and C. Do not turn cards up yet because B and C both have chips so further betting action is possible.
  
  On the flop B and C check; betting is still possible so don’t turn the cards up yet.
  
  On the turn B pushes all-in and C calls. Turn all hands up now (A, B, and C) because no further betting is possible. Burn and turn the river then proceed to showdown. Award the side pot between B and C first, then award the main pot. Notice: you do not keep A’s cards face down until the side pot between B and C is awarded.
  
  Example 3. NLHE. Three players remain.
  Pre-flop, Player A (the shortest stack) pushes all-in for 700 and is called by both B and C who have several thousand each left. Do not turn cards up yet because B and C both have chips so further betting action is possible.
  
  On the flop B and C check; betting is still possible so don’t turn the cards up yet. On the turn B bets 1000 and C calls. Since both B and C still have chips and the river remains to be dealt, betting is still possible so don’t turn the cards up yet.
  
  On the river both B and C check. Turn all hands up now (A, B, and C) because betting is over and the hand is moving to showdown. Award the 2000 side pot between B and C first, then award the main pot. Notice: do not keep A’s cards face down until the side pot between B and C is awarded.
  
  
• Rule 18: Asking to See a Hand
  
  Example 1. NLHE. 3 players remain in the hand. There is no betting on the river and no player is all-in. At showdown Player A discards face down and the cards are pushed into the muck by the dealer. B tables his hand, showing trips. C pushes his cards forward face-down. B may ask to see C’s hand because B has tabled his cards. However, B’s request is at TDs discretion; B has no inalienable right to see it because there was no bet on the river thus he did not “pay to see C’s hand.” Neither A nor C may ask to see a competitor’s hand because they have neither tabled their cards nor retained them.
  
  Example 2. NLHE. 4 players remain in the hand. On the river A bets 1000, B calls, C raises to 5000, and D, A and B all call. No player is all-in. B tables his hand, showing trips. D instantly discards face down and the dealer kills his hand into the muck. C begins to push his cards forward face-down. Both A and B have an inalienable right to see C’s hand on request because 1) they paid to see it as C was the last aggressor on the river and 2) both A and B retain their cards. D (who also called C) relinquished his right to see C’s hand when he discarded without tabling. All other requests in this situation are at TD’s discretion, such as B asking to see A’s cards (the cards of another caller).
  
  
• Rule 20: Awarding Odd Chip(s).
  D: Rule and Illustration deleted in 2022.
  
  
• Rule 38: Burns After Substantial Action
  
  Example 1-A. THE 50-100. SB / BB in seats 1 and 2. Pre-flop, initial cards dealt to all players. SB / BB in seats 1 and 2. Seat 3 (UTG) folds and Seat 4 calls, completing substantial action with 2 actions with chips. Seat 5 then realizes she has only 1 card and her hand is dead because SA has occurred. The dealer will burn only one card and then put out the flop. The dealer will not burn 2 cards to “return to the original stub order”.
  
  Example 1-B. Same game and initial deal. Seat 3 (UTG) folds and Seat 4 calls, completing substantial action. Seat 5 then realizes she has 3 cards and her hand is dead because SA has occurred. The dealer will burn one card and then put out the flop. The dealer will not consider Seat 5’s third card as the burn and put out the flop without a burn off the stub.
  
  
• Rule 40-A: Methods of Betting, Unclear or Contradictory Bets.
  
  “In unclear situations or where verbal and chips are contradictory, the TD will determine the bet based on the circumstances and Rule 1”.
  
  Example 1. THE, heads-up on the river Player A verbally declares “forty-two thousand” but pushes out only a 5k chip. Not everyone at the table heard the declaration. Player B pushes out 5k to call. Both players table and A has the best hand. Ruling criteria is mixed: verbal came first but wasn’t necessarily clear. The chip appeared to be a bet of 5k. In these unclear and contradictory situations, the TD will make the fairest ruling possible using Rule 1.
  
  
• Rule 43: Raise Amounts. “The largest prior full bet or raise of the current betting round”.
  
  This line refers to the largest additional action or “last legal increment” by a preceding bettor in the current round. The current round is the “current street”, i.e. pre-flop, flop, turn, river in board games; 3rd – 4th – 5th – 6th – 7th street in 7-stud, etc.
  
  Example 1. NLHE, Blinds 100-200. Post-flop, A opens with a bet of 600. B raises 1000 for total of 1600. C re-raises 2000 for total of 3600. If D wants to raise, he must at least raise the “largest bet or raise of the current round”, which is C’s raise of 2000. So, D must re-raise at least 2000 more for a total of 5600. Note that D’s minimum raise is not 3600 (C’s total bet), but only 2000, the additional raise action that C added.
  
  Example 2. NLHE, Blinds 50-100. Pre-flop A is under the gun and goes all-in for a total of 150 (an increase in the bet of 50). So, we have a 100 blind bet and an all-in wager that increases the total by 50. Which is larger? The 100 is still the “largest bet or raise of the current round”, so if B wants to re-raise he must raise at least 100 for a total of 250.
  
  Example 3. NLHE, Blinds 100-200. On the turn A bets 300. B pushes out two 500 chips making the total 1000 (a 700 raise). It is 1000 to C to call. If C wants to raise, it must be “at least the largest bet or raise of the current round”, which is B’s raise of 700. So, C’s minimum raise would be 700 for a total of 1700. Note his minimum raise is not 1000, B’s total bet.
  
  Example 4-A. NLHE, Blinds 25-50. A raises 75 to 125 total. Notice that 125 total = 50 (bet) plus 75 (raise). The next raise on this street must be “at least the size of the largest previous bet or raise”, which is 75. B now raises the minimum (75) to 200 total. C then re-raises 300 for total of 500. We now have a bet of 50, two raises of 75 and a raise of 300 for total of 500. If D wants to re-raise, “the raise must be at least the size of the largest previous bet or raise of the current betting round”, which is now 300. So, D must raise at least 300 more to a total of 800.
  
  Example 4-B. Same as 4-A. It's the same 500 to D, but there’s just been one raise of 450 by A to a total of 500 and B and C have both called. So, there’s a blind bet of 50 and a raise of 450. "A raise must be at least the size of the largest previous bet or raise of the current betting round", which is A’s raise of 450. So, it’s 500 for D to call, and if D wants to re-raise he must raise at least 450 for a total of 950.
  
  
• Rule 45: Multiple Chip Betting.
  
  “A: If facing a bet, unless raise or all-in is declared first, a multiple-chip bet (including a bet of your last chips) is a call if every chip is needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves less than the call amount. B: If every chip is not needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves the call amount or more: 1) if the player has chips remaining, the bet is governed by the 50% standard in Rule 43; 2) if the player’s last chips are bet he or she is all-in whether reaching the 50% threshold or not.”
  
  Example 1. There is not one chip that can be removed and still leave the call amount. 1-A: Player A opens post flop for 1200, B silently puts out two 1000’s. This is a call because neither chip can be removed and still leave at least 1200.
  1-B: NLHE, blinds 250-500. Preflop the UTG raises 600 to total of 1100. The UTG+1 silently puts out one 500 and one 1000 chip. This is a call because neither the 500 nor the 1000 can be removed and still leave at least 1100.
  
  Example 2. Same as 1-B above except the UTG+1 puts out one 1000 and five 100s silently. Four of the 100s could be removed and still leave the 1100 call amount. Therefore, this would be subject to the 50% standard in Rule 43: the minimum raise is 600, 50% of 600 is 300, therefore, if the UTG+1 puts out 1400 or more, he will be held to making a full raise to 1700 total. Since the UTG put out 1500 he must raise in this example.
  
  Example 3. Same as 2 above except the UTG+1 puts out one 1000 and three 100s silently. Two of the 100s can be removed and still leave the 1100 call amount therefore this is subject to Rule 43. Since the player did not put out at least 50% of a minimum raise, this bet is ruled a call and 200 is returned to the player.
  
  Example 4. Multiple-chip bet of all chips. A) If all chips are needed to make the call, this is treated exactly the same as a player with chips behind (See example 1 above). B) If removing just one of the smallest chips leaves the call amount or more, the player is all-in regardless of whether the bet reaches the 50% raise standard.
  
  Example 4-A. A opens for 1400, B (with remaining chips behind in large chip stack) silently pushes out one 1000 and three 500’s. This is a mandatory min-raise to 2800 because the 50% threshold of 2100 (1400+700=2100) is reached.
  
  Example 4-B. Same 1400 opener, B (with remaining chips behind in large chip stack) puts out one 1000 and two 500s. This is a call because it is short of the 50% threshold of 2100. NOTE:In both example 4-A and 4-B, Player B would be all-in if putting out his or her last chips.
  
  
• Rule 46: Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In, situation examples.
  
  Situation 1: If prior chips don’t cover the call AND are left alone. Ex: THE 25-50, the BB posts two 25’s, button raises to 600 total (550 more to BB).
  
  1: Adding an overchip is a call (drop a 1k chip onto the two 25’s).
  2: Adding multiple new chips is a call if all new chips are needed to call a) drop two 500’s onto the two 25’s or b) drop a 100 and 500 chip onto the two 25’s. In these two examples all new chips when combined with the prior chips are needed to make the call.
  3: Adding multiple new chips is a Rule 45 multiple chip bet if one of the smallest new chips is not needed to make the call (drop a 1k and 500 chip onto the two 25’s is a total bet of 1550). Per Rule 45, a silent multi-chip bet is a raise if it hits the 50% threshold; otherwise it is a call.
  
  Situation 2: If prior chip(s) cover the call amount, adding any new chip(s) is a Rule 45 multiple chip bet. Ex: THE 50-100, BB posts one 1k chip. Pre-flop raise to 700 (600 more to BB). The 1k prior chip covers the raise, thus adding any new chip(s) is a Rule 45 bet of all chips.
  
  Situation 3: If prior chips are fully pulled back:
  1) Removing all prior chips and adding an overchip is a call (pull back the two 25’s, add 1k chip).
  2) Removing all prior chips and adding new multiple chips is a Rule 45 bet (pull back two 25’s, add two or more new chips).
  
  Situation 4: if prior chip(s) are partly pulled back:
  1) Partial removal of prior chips (pull back one 25, leave the other 25 out, add any new chip(s), is a Rule 45 multiple-chip bet (a raise if hitting 50%, otherwise a call).
  
  Situation 4: Regardless of the above, the gesture of combining and pushing or tossing all chips forward may be interpreted as intent to bet all chips under Rule 45.
  
  
  
• Rule 47: Re-opening the bet.
  
  Example 1: Multiple short all-in wagers that cumulatively equal a full raise and therefore re-open betting:
  
  NLHE, Blinds 50-100. Post-flop, A opens betting for the 100 minimum.
  B goes all in for a total of 125. C calls the 125,
  D goes all in for 200 total and E calls 200.
  Action returns to A who is facing a total raise of 100. Since 100 is a full raise, the betting is re-opened for A who can fold, call, or raise here. Note that neither B’s increment of 25 or D’s increment of 75 is by itself a full raise, but when added together they total a full raise and thus re-open the betting to “a player who is facing at least a full raise when the action returns”.
  
  Example 1A: At the end of Example 1 above, A smooth calls the 200 total (another 100 to him). The bet is now on C who only faces a 75 increment. C called 125 previously and now faces 200 total (75 more). C must face at least 225 total to re-open betting. Because 75 is not a full raise, betting for C is not re-opened and C can either call with 75 more or fold, he cannot raise.
  
  Example 1B: At the end of Example 1 above, A raises the minimum (100), and makes it 300 total to C. C already has called 125 so it’s an additional 175 for C to call. 175 is more than a full raise. Since C already acted and is “now facing at least a full raise”, the betting is re-opened to C who can fold, call, or re-raise here.
  
  Example 2: Multiple short all-ins, the min-raise is the last full valid bet or raise. NLHE, Blinds 50-100. Post-flop A opens for 300, B pushes all-in for 500 total, C goes all-in for 650 total, D goes all-in for 800 total, E calls 800. What is the min raise for Player F? The opening bet (300) sets the initial min raise. Because no single player was all-in for more than 300, the min raise for F remains 300. F can either smooth call 800 or raise to at least 1100. See also Rule 43, Example 2 in Illustration Addendum.
  
  Example 3A: It’s 3500 more to the BB who has not yet acted on his option. The BB can fold, smooth call the 3500, or raise by at least 4000 for a total of 11,500. The BB smooth calls and it’s 3500 more to A. A has already acted and is facing 3500 which is not a full raise. Therefore, A can only fold or call the 3500, he cannot raise because it is not “at least a full bet when the action returns to him”.
  
  Example 3B: The BB raises the minimum (4000), for a total of 11500. It is now 7500 to A and because 7500 is more than a full minimum raise, betting is now re-opened for A who can fold, call, or re-raise.
  
  
• Rule 51: Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn
  
  Example 1. NLHE, blinds 1000-2000. Post-flop, A opens for 2000, B raises to 8000, C pushes out 2000 silently. C has undercalled B’s bet. Per Rule 51-B, because B is not the opener (A is) and the round is still multi-way, at TD’s discretion C may be required to make a full call or allowed to forfeit the 2000 undercall and fold.
  
  Example 2. NLHE, blinds 1000-2000. Post-flop 4 players remain. A opens for 8000, B silently puts out 2000. Per Rule 51-B, B undercalled the opening bet and must make a full call of 8000.
  
  Example 3. NLHE, blinds 1000-2000. Post-flop, A opens for 2000, B raises to 8000, C declares “call”. Per Rule 51-A, C has made a general verbal declaration (“call”) in turn. C is obligated to call B’s full bet of 8000.
  
  
• Rule 52-B: Incorrect Bet Amounts, Pot-Limit Games
  
  Example 1. PLO, 500-1000 blinds. Post-flop the pot totals 10,500. Player A wants to bet the pot and asks the dealer for a count. Dealer replies “nine thousand five hundred”. A pushes out 9,500. Player B folds and Player C calls 9,500. Substantial action has occurred after the initial erroneous bet. The dealer then realizes A’s pot bet should have been 10,500. Because the quoted amount was less than the pot and substantial action has occurred, the 9,500 bet is binding and will not be increased to 10,500.
  
  Example 2. Same as example 1 above, Player B folds then the dealer realizes A’s pot bet should have been 10,500. Substantial action has not occurred, so A must increase his or her bet to 10,500 total.
  
  Example 3. PLO, 500-1000 blinds. Post-flop the pot totals 10,500. Player A wants to bet the pot and asks the dealer for a count. Dealer replies “eleven thousand five hundred”. A pushes out 11,500. Player B folds, Player C and D both call 11,500. Before burning and turning the next card, the dealer realizes the initial bet was an illegal overbet. Despite substantial action occurring, because the bet was illegal it will be reduced to 10,500 for all players calling anywhere on the current street. If the next card is dealt the error will stand.
  
  
• Rule 53-A: Action Out of Turn (OOT)
  
  Example 1. THE 50-100. Post flop Seat 3 opens for 300, Seat 4 folds, action is on Seat 5 when Seat 6 declares “raise to eight hundred”. Step 1: Action backs up to the correct player in order (Seat 5) who is facing a bet of 300. Step 2: If Seat 5 calls or folds then the action (a 300 bet) has not changed and Seat 6’s OOT raise is binding (raise to 800). However, if Seat 5 raises, (say, to 600 total), then the action to Seat 6 has changed from a 300 bet to a 600 bet. If action changes, the 800 chips may be returned to Seat 6 who has all options open: call 600, re-raise to at least 900, or fold.
  
  Example 2. THE 50-100. Post flop Seat 3 checks, Seat 4 checks, action is on Seat 5 when Seat 6 declares “check”. Step 1: Action backs up to the correct player in order (Seat 5) who is not facing a bet. Step 2: If Seat 5 checks then the action (a check) has not changed and Seat 6’s OOT check is binding. However, if Seat 5 bets, (say, 300), then the action to Seat 6 has changed from a check to a 300 bet. If action changes, then Seat 6 has all options open: call 300, raise to at least 600, or fold.
  
  
• Rule 53-B: Substantial Action Out of Turn (OOT).
  
  A player skipped by OOT action must defend his right to act. If there is reasonable time and the skipped player has not spoken up by the time substantial action (see Rule 36) OOT occurs to his left, the OOT action is binding. The floor will be called to render a decision on how to treat the skipped hand.
  
  Example 1. NLHE, blinds 100-200. UTG (Seat 3) makes it 600. Seat 4 is skipped when Seat 5 calls 600 OOT. Seat 6 thinks for a moment then folds. There are now two players acting with chips involved to the left of Seat 4. Two players with chips qualifies as substantial action (Rule 36). Also, Seat 4 has had reasonable time to speak up and bring it to the dealer’s attention that he has been skipped. The OOT call by Seat 5 is now binding due to substantial action OOT, and the OOT fold by Seat 6 is binding (Rule 58). The floor is called to make a decision on the fate of Seat 4’s hand.
  
  Example 2. NLHE, blinds 100-200. Four players remain to see the turn. After the dealer tables the turn card, the UTG (Seat 3) opens betting for 600. Seat 4 is skipped when Seat 5 checks and Seat 6 calls 600 OOT. The floor is called to make a decision on the fate of Seat 4’s hand.