SECTION 1 – PROPER BEHAVIOR
1. Conduct
We will attempt to maintain a pleasant environment for all of our players, but are not responsible for the conduct of any player. We have established a code of conduct, and may deny the privilege to play in any regular season event or post-season event to anyone who violates these rules of conduct. The following is not permitted:
- Collusion with another player in the form of cheating.
- Verbally or physically threatening anyone.
- Using unnecessary profane or obscene language.
- Creating a disturbance by shouting, arguing or making excessive noise.
- Throwing, tearing, bending or crumpling of cards.
- Destroying or defacing property.
- Carrying a weapon.
- Using an illegal substance.
2. Poker Etiquette
The following actions are improper, and grounds for warning, suspending or barring a violator:
Respecting the host's home and house rules. Although this is not directly related to poker etiquette, this rule is important and should go without saying. This includes, but is not limited to: respecting the host's home and property, respecting the other players, making sure children are well kept, etc. Breaking this rule is the best way to make sure you are never invited back.
3. Smoking and Tobacco Use
All smoking and tobacco use should be done outside. Cigarette butts and other waste should be placed in provided ashtrays. Unless specified, there will be no tobacco use at any tables or inside the host’s house.
SECTION 2 – LEAGUE POLICIES
1. Decision Making
2. Procedures
- No cash shall be allowed on the table. All buy-ins should be converted to chips prior to the start of the event. No chips used in either a regular season event or post-season event shall have any cash value whatsoever. It is the responsibility of the player to verify they have the correct starting chips prior to the start of the event. If a player discovers that they do not have the correct starting chips after the first round has begun, the current chip count will remain intact regardless of the error.
- Only one person may play a hand.
- All chips and cards must be kept in plain view. Cards should be kept at table level, and not covered in a manner that conceals. Every player has a right to know your chips. Higher denomination chips shall not be concealed, and should be placed in front of a chip stack.
- A player is expected to pay attention to the game and not hold up play. Any activity that interferes with this is discouraged.
- It is the sole responsibility of the player to protect their hand at all times. Accidentally mucked or exposed cards due to the failure of the player to protect their hand will not be the responsibility of the dealer.
3. Seating
- A player must be present or have made arrangements prior to the tournament to receive a seat in any tournament.
- A player must be present and in their seat to play a live hand. If a player is absent at the time of the deal, their blinds (when applicable) will be posted and their hand mucked.
SECTION 3 – GENERAL POKER RULES
1. The Shuffle and Cut
Each deck must be shuffled a minimum of five times. Cuts are mandatory and are to be performed by the person to the right. The cut must leave a minimum of seven cards in each portion. Table decks should be washed every break.
2. The Deal
We will maintain a rotating deal, unless a player (whether still in the tournament or eliminated) volunteers to be a dedicated dealer. Players will deal cards for themselves. Each table shall have two decks of cards. When the dealer is dealing, the person to the left of the dealer in small blind position should be preparing the deck for the next hand. This is in order to keep the game flowing in an orderly fashion.
Cards should be dealt to the left, starting with the player in the small blind position. Each player shall receive 2 hole cards. After betting has ended, the dealer shall burn one card and place 3 cards face up. This shall be the flop. After betting has ended, the dealer will burn one card and place one card face up. This shall be the turn card. After betting has ended, the dealer shall burn one card and place one card face up. This is the river card. After betting has ended, all involved players must either show their hand or muck their cards. Dealer button is passed to the left. In the event of an all-in with only 2 players involved in the hand, both players must show their hole cards. Players may keep their hole cards hidden until the river, if both players are in agreeance.
3. The Bet
Players are expected to act in turn, as well as pay attention to the action and act when it is their turn. The minimum bet must be equal to the big blind (in no limit games). In limit games, the bet must be in accordance to the blinds schedule. There is no limit to action in no limit games, as where limit games the action is capped after 4 actions. All bets must be placed in front of the player placing the bet until the betting round is complete. Verbal declaration will always overrule any physical action. (For example, a player pushes out T-5,000 but announces a raise of T-3,000. The bet shall remain T-3000).
String bets are disallowed. A player will receive a warning the first time, and be allowed to bet/raise the minimum amount. Players continuing to string bet will be penalized.
Splashing the pot is also disallowed. Players splashing the pot will receive a warning on the first occurrence. Players continuing to splash the pot will forfeit any chips in the pot on future occurrences.
4. Misdeals and Poker Dealer Errors
All poker dealer errors and misdeals shall be handled in the following manner:
- Exposed holecards during the deal - If the first or second holecard is exposed, a misdeal results. The dealer will retrieve the card, reshuffle, and recut the cards. If any other holecard is exposed due to a dealer error, the deal continues. The exposed card may not be kept. After completing the hand, the dealer replaces the card with the top card, and the exposed card is then used for the burncard. If more than one holecard is exposed, this is a misdeal and there must be a redeal.
- Premature flop - If the flop needs to be redealt because the cards were prematurely flopped before the betting was complete, or the flop contained too many cards, the boardcards are mixed with the remainder of the deck. The burncard remains on the table. After shuffling, the dealer cuts the deck and deals a new flop without burning a card.
- Failure to burn a card - If the dealer fails to burn a card before the flop, turn or river, the card will be shown to all players and then discarded, the next card will take its place.
- Premature turn or river - If the dealer turns the fourth card on the board before the betting round is complete, the card is taken out of play for that round, even if subsequent players elect to fold. The betting is then completed. The dealer burns and turns what would have been the fifth card in the fourth card’s place. After this round of betting, the dealer reshuffles the deck, including the card that was taken out of play, but not including the burncards or discards. The dealer then cuts the deck and turns the final card without burning a card. If the fifth card is turned up prematurely, the deck is reshuffled and dealt in the same manner.
1. The following circumstances cause a misdeal, provided attention is called to the error before two players have acted on their hands. (If two players have acted in turn, the deal must be played to conclusion, as explained in rule #2)
- The first or second card of the hand has been dealt faceup or exposed through dealer error.
- Two or more cards have been exposed by the dealer.
- Two or more boxed cards (improperly faced cards) are found.
- Two or more extra cards have been dealt in the starting hands of a game.
- An incorrect number of cards has been dealt to a player, except the top card may be dealt if it goes to the player in proper sequence.
- Any card has been dealt out of the proper sequence (except an exposed card may be replaced by the burncard).
- The button was out of position.
- The first card was dealt to the wrong position.
- A player has been dealt out who is entitled to a hand. All players remaining in the tournament, present or otherwise, will be dealt a hand. Blinds and antes should be posted when necessary.
2. Action is considered to occur in stud games when two players after the forced bet have acted on their hands. In button games, action is considered to occur when two players after the blinds have acted on their hands. Once action occurs, a misdeal can no longer be declared. The hand will be played to conclusion and no money will be returned to any player whose hand is fouled.
If a card with a different color back appears during a hand, all action is void and all chips in the pot are returned to the respective bettors. If a card with a different color back is discovered in the stub, all action stands. If two cards of the same rank and suit are found, all action is void, and all chips in the pot are returned to the players who wagered them. One or more cards missing from the deck does not invalidate the results of a hand. A card that is flashed by a dealer is treated as an exposed card. A card that is flashed by a player will play. A downcard dealt off the table is an exposed card. If you drop a card on the floor out of your hand, you must still play that card. A player must show all cards in the hand face-up on the table to win any part of the pot. Cards speak (cards read for themselves).
5. Dead Hands
Your hand is declared dead if:
- You fold or announce you intend to fold when facing a bet or a raise.
- You throw your hand away in a forward motion causing another player to act behind you.
- You have a clock on you when facing a bet or a raise and the timer expires.
- Your cards are thrown into the muck, regardless if you are involved in a hand or how involved you are.
- You are not in your seat to play your hand when action approaches.
6. The Showdown
- A player is required to show all cards in his hand face up when winning a pot, whether they were used to win the hand or not. This does not include when all other players have mucked their hands.
- Cards speak for themselves. The dealer shall assist in reading hands, but the player is responsible for holding onto their cards before a pot is awarded. Although a verbal declaration of a hand is not binding, deliberately miscalling a hand with the intent of causing another player to muck is unethical and will result in forfeiture of the pot.
- Show one, show all. Players are entitled to receive equal access to information regarding a hand played.
- If there is a side pot, then the side pot shall be awarded prior to the main pot.
- The last player creating action by either betting or raising in the final betting round is required to show their cards first in a showdown. In the instance where all involved players have checked, the player who acted first is required to show their hand first. A player has the option to muck their hand instead of showing to win the pot, however other players involved in the action reserve the right to view those cards.
7. Ties
- In the event of a tie, or split pot, where an odd chip is involved, the first player clockwise (left) of the button shall receive the odd chip. In hi-lo games, the high hand shall receive the odd chip. Any odd chip left in the pot must be broken down to the lowest rank prior to awarding the pot. No player must receive more than one odd chip.
- Card suits shall never be used to break a tie for winning a pot.
- If two or more hands tie, an odd chip will be awarded as follows
- In a button game, the first hand clockwise of the button receives the odd chip.
- In a stud game, the odd chip shall be awarded to the highest card by suit in all high games, and the lowest card by suit in all low games. All cards will be used, not just the five cards that constitute the player’s hand.
SECTION 4 – BUTTONS AND BLINDS
Each round, every player must have the opportunity to be the “button”, or dealer. The seat immediately to the left of the button is considered the small blind. The seat immediately to the right is considered the big blind. The dealer button shall move one seat to the left and blinds shall adjust accordingly. In heads-up play, the button shall assume the position of small blind.
1. Dead Button Rule - The following explains those instances where a player who has posted a blind is eliminated. These rules are in place to ensure that no one is required to post a big blind or small blind (with the exception of going heads-up) twice in a row, and to ensure that the button continually moves to the left.
- Small Blind Eliminated - In the instance where the small blind has been eliminated, the button will move to the empty seat and be declared a "dead button". Blinds will be posted as normal.
- Big Blind Eliminated - In the instance where the big blind has been eliminated and not replaced by another player, the button will move to the player who previously posted the small blind. The player to the left of the eliminated player will still post the big blind, and no small blind will be posted for that hand. The button will move to the empty seat on the next hand and played as the "dead button".
- Both Blinds Eliminated - In the instance that both the small and big blinds are eliminated, the button will move to the empty seat where the small blind was previously posted and become a dead button. The player left of the button will post big blind. On the following hand, the button will move left to the empty seat. The blinds will be posted as normal using the "dead button".
- Heads-Up Play: Dealer Eliminated - Prior to going heads-up (3 players left), if the dealer is eliminated, the small blind will become the big blind. The other player posting the small blind will assume the button.
- Heads-Up Play: Small Blind Eliminated - Prior to going heads-up (3 players left), if the small blind is eliminated, the button will move to the player who previously posted the big blind. That player will post the small blind, with the other player posting the big blind.
- Heads-Up Play: Big Blind Eliminated - Prior to going heads-up (3 players left), if the big blind is eliminated, the dealer of the previous hand shall post the big blind, and the previous small blind shall assume the button and post the small blind.
All blinds shall be on a timed schedule. Blinds and timers will be based on a computer program (Tournament Director v2.5.8) and predetermined prior to the beginning of the event. The tournament clock is ongoing and shall only be stopped in the event of a table dispute.
Blinds for each regular season event are based on 25,000 starting chips, and progress according to a set schedule. At that point, all remaining players' chip stacks will be counted and a winner declared. Blinds for the Second Chance Qualifying Event and Championship Main Event will progress according to our regular tournament blinds and continue until there is a winner.
2. Button and Stud Games
When playing stud games, the button shall remain stationary. The lowest card by suit exposed shall be responsible for a bring-in to start the action (high card by suit in low games). Action will continue at the next card dealt and the first action will be on the best exposed hand until the completion of the deal. There is no dead button in stud games, however the deal shall rotate with the person closest to the button going clockwise will always receive the first card of the deal.
SECTION 5 – RULES TO THE GAMES
1. Hold’em
In hold’em, players receive two down cards as their personal hand (hole cards), after which there is a round of betting. Three board cards are turned simultaneously (called the “flop”) and another round of betting occurs. The next two board cards are turned one at a time, with a round of betting after each card. The board cards are common cards used by all players, and a player may use any five-card combination from among the board and personal cards. A player may even use all of the board cards and no personal cards to form a hand (play the board). A dealer button is used. The usual structure is to use two blinds, but it is possible to play the game with one blind, multiple blinds, an ante, or combination of blinds plus an ante.
RULES OF HOLD'EM
These rules deal only with irregularities. See the previous section, “Button and Blind Use,” for rules on that subject.
-
If the initial hole card dealt to the first or second player is exposed, a misdeal results. The dealer will retrieve the card, reshuffle, and recut the cards. If any other hole card is exposed due to a dealer error, the deal continues. The exposed card may not be kept. After completing the hand, the dealer replaces the card with the top card on the deck, and the exposed card is then used for the burn card. If more than one hole card is exposed, this is a misdeal and there must be a redeal.
- If the dealer mistakenly deals the first player an extra card (after all players have received their starting hands), the 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.
-
If the flop contains too many cards, it must be redealt. (This applies even if it were possible to know which card was the extra one.)
-
If the dealer failed to burn a card before dealing the flop, or burned two cards, the error should be rectified by using the proper burn card and flop, if no board cards were exposed. The deck must be reshuffled if any board cards were exposed.
-
If the dealer burns and turns before a betting round is complete, the card(s) may not be used, even if all subsequent players elect to fold. Nobody has an option of accepting or rejecting the card. The betting is then completed, and the error rectified in the prescribed manner for that situation.
-
If the dealer fails to burn a card or burns more than one card, the error should be corrected if discovered before betting action has started for that round. Once action has been taken on a board card by any player, the card must stand. Whether the error is able to be corrected or not, subsequent cards dealt should be those that would have come if no error had occurred. For example, if two cards were burned, one of the cards should be put back on the deck and used for the burn card on the next round. If there was no betting on a round because a player was all-in, the error should be corrected if discovered before the pot has been awarded.
-
If the flop needs to be redealt for any reason, the board cards are mixed with the remainder of the deck. The burn card remains on the table. After shuffling, the dealer cuts the deck and deals a new flop without burning a card. [See “Section 16 – Explanations,” discussion #4, for more information on this rule.]
-
A dealing error for the fourth board card is rectified in a manner to least influence the identity of the board cards that would have been used without the error. The dealer burns and deals what would have been the fifth card in the fourth card’s place. After this round of betting, the dealer reshuffles the deck, including the card that was taken out of play, but not including the burn cards or discards. The dealer then cuts the deck and deals the final card without burning a card. If the fifth card is turned up prematurely, the deck is reshuffled and dealt in the same manner. [See “Section 16 – Explanations,” discussion #4, for more information on this rule.]
-
You must declare that you are playing the board before you throw your cards away. Otherwise, you relinquish all claims to the pot. (The rule for tournament play is you must retain your hand and show it if asked, in order to win part of the pot.)
2. Omaha
Omaha is similar to hold’em in using a three-card flop on the board, a fourth boardcard, and then a fifth boardcard. Each player is dealt four holecards (instead of two) at the start. In order to make a valid hand, a player must use precisely two holecards with three boardcards. The betting is the same as in holdem, using a preflop, flop, turn, and river betting rounds. At the showdown, the entire four-card hand should be shown to receive the pot.
RULES OF OMAHA
3. Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha is often played high-low split. The player may use any combination of two holecards and three boardcards for the high hand and another (or the same) combination of two holecards and three boardcards for the low hand.
RULES OF OMAHA HI-LO
- All the rules of Omaha apply to Omaha high-low split except as below.
-
A qualifier of 8-or-better for low is used. This means to win the low half of the pot, a player’s hand at the showdown must have five cards of different ranks that are an eight or lower in rank. (An ace is the highest card and also the lowest card.) If there is no qualifying hand for low, the best high hand wins the whole pot.
- Straights and flushes do not impair the low value of a hand.
4. Seven Card Stud
-
If your first or second holecard is accidentally turned up by the dealer, then your third card will be dealt down. If both holecards are dealt up, you have a dead hand and receive your ante back. If the first card dealt faceup would have been the lowcard, action starts with the first hand to that player’s left. That player may fold, open for the forced bet, or open for a full bet. (In tournament play, if a downcard is dealt faceup, a misdeal is called.)
-
The first round of betting starts with a forced bet by the lowest upcard by suit. On subsequent betting rounds, the high hand on board initiates the action (a tie is broken by position, with the player who received cards first acting first).
-
The player with the forced bet has the option of opening for a full bet.
-
If the player with the lowcard is all-in for the ante (or any player designated to start the action on a round of betting is all-in), betting action proceeds to the first active player to the left of the all-in player. If the player with the lowcard has only enough chips for a portion of the forced bet, the wager is made. All other players must enter for at least the normal amount in that structure.
-
When the wrong person is designated as low and bets, if the next player has not yet acted, the action will be corrected to the real lowcard, who now must bet. The incorrect lowcard takes back the wager. If the next hand has acted after the incorrect lowcard wager, the wager stands, action continues from there, and the real lowcard has no obligations.
-
Increasing the amount wagered by the opening forced bet up to a full bet does not count as a raise, but merely as a completion of the bet. For example: In $15-$30 stud, the lowcard opens for $5. If the next player increases the bet to $15 (completes the bet), up to three raises are then allowed when using a three-raise limit.
-
In all fixed-limit games, when an open pair is showing on fourth street (second upcard), any player has the option of betting either the lower or the upper limit. For example: In a $5-$10 game, if you have a pair showing and are the high hand, you may bet either $5 or $10. If you bet $5, any player then has the option to call $5, raise $5, or raise $10. If a $10 raise is made, then all other raises must be in increments of $10. If the player high with the open pair on fourth street checks, then subsequent players have the same options that were given to the player who was high.
-
If you are not present at the table when it is your turn to act, you forfeit your ante and your forced bet, if any. If you have not returned to the table in time to act, the hand will be killed when the betting reaches your seat. (In tournament play, the dealer is instructed to kill the hand of any absent player as soon as everyone has received their entire starting hand.)
-
If a hand is folded when there is no wager, that seat will continue to receive cards until the hand is killed as a result of a bet (so the fold does not affect who gets the cards to come).
-
When facing a wager, picking up your upcards without calling is a fold. This act has no significance at the showdown because betting is over; the hand is live until discarded.
-
A card dealt off the table is treated as an exposed card.
-
The dealer announces the lowcard, the high hand, all raises, and all pairs. Dealers do not announce possible straights or flushes (except for specified low-stakes games).
-
If the dealer burns two cards for one round or fails to burn a card, the cards will be corrected, if at all possible, to their proper positions. If this should happen on a final downcard, and either a card intermingles with a player's other holecards or a player looks at the card, the player must accept that card.
-
If the dealer burns and deals one or more cards before a round of betting has been completed, the card(s) must be eliminated from play. After the betting for that round is completed, an additional card for each remaining player still active in the hand is also eliminated from play (to later deal the same cards to the players who would have received them without the error). After that round of betting has concluded, the dealer burns a card and play resumes. The removed cards are held off to the side in the event the dealer runs out of cards. If the prematurely dealt card is the final downcard and has been looked at or intermingled with the player's other holecards, the player must keep the card, and on sixth street betting may not bet or raise (because the player now has all seven cards).
-
If there are not enough cards left in the deck for all players, all the cards are dealt except the last card, which is mixed with the burncards (and any cards removed from the deck, as in the previous rule). The dealer then scrambles and cuts these cards, burns again, and delivers the remaining downcards, using the last card if necessary. If there are not as many cards as players remaining without a card, the dealer does not burn, so that each player can receive a fresh card. If the dealer determines that there will not be enough fresh cards for all of the remaining players, then the dealer announces to the table that a common card will be used. The dealer will burn a card and turn one card faceup in the center of the table as a common card that plays in everyone’s hand. The player who is now high using the common card initiates the action for the last round.
-
An all-in player should receive holecards dealt facedown, but if the final holecard to such a player is dealt faceup, the card must be kept, and the other players receive their normal card.
-
If the dealer turns the last card faceup to any player, the hand now high on the board using all the upcards will start the action. The following rules apply to the dealing of cards:
- If there are more than two players, all remaining players receive their last card facedown. A player whose last card is faceup has the option of declaring all-in before betting action starts, meaning that the player does not put any more chips into the pot and subsequent betting by the other active players will be on the side.
- If there are only two players remaining and the first player's final downcard is dealt faceup, the second player's final downcard will also be dealt faceup, and the betting proceeds as normal. In the event the first player's final card is dealt facedown and the opponent's final card is dealt faceup, the player with the faceup final card has the option of declaring all-in (before betting action starts).
-
A hand with more than seven cards is dead. A hand with less than seven cards at the showdown is dead, except any player missing a seventh card may have the hand ruled live. [See “Section 16 – Explanations,” discussion #2, for more information on this rule.]
-
A player who calls a bet even though beaten by an opponent’s upcards is not entitled to a refund. (The caller receives information about the opponent that is not available for free.)
5. Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo
A qualifier of 8-or-better for low applies to all high-low split games. To win for low, a player’s hand at the showdown must have five cards of different ranks that are an eight or lower. If there is no qualifier for low, the best high hand wins the whole pot. Any five cards may be used to make the best high hand, and the same or any other five cards to make the best low hand.
RULES OF SEVEN CARD STUD HI-LO
-
All rules for seven-card stud apply to seven-card stud high-low split, except as noted.
-
A player may use any five cards to make the best high hand and any five cards, whether the same as the high hand or not, to make the best low hand.
-
An ace is the highest card and also the lowest card.
-
The low card by suit initiates the action on the first round, with an ace counting as a high card for this purpose. On subsequent rounds, the high hand initiates the action. If the high hand is tied, the first player in the tie clockwise from the dealer acts first. If the high hand is all-in, action proceeds clockwise as if that person had checked.
-
Straights and flushes do not affect the value of a low hand.
-
Fixed-limit games use the lower limit on third and fourth streets and the upper limit on subsequent rounds. An open pair on fourth street does not affect the limit.
-
Splitting pots is determined only by the cards, and not by agreement among players.
-
When there is an odd chip in a pot, the chip goes to the high hand. If two players split the pot by tying for both the high and the low, the pot shall be split as evenly as possible, and the player with the highest card by suit receives the odd chip. When making this determination, all cards are used, not just the five cards used for the final hand played.
-
When there is one odd chip in the high portion of the pot and two or more high hands split all or half the pot, the odd chip goes to the player with the high card by suit. When two or more low hands split half the pot, the odd chip goes to the player with the low card by suit.
6. Razz (Seven Card Stud Lo)
The lowest-ranking hand wins the pot. Aces are low only, and two aces are the lowest pair. The high card (aces are low) is required to make the forced bet on the first round; the low hand acts first on all subsequent rounds. Straights and flushes have no adverse effect on the low value of a hand, so the best possible hand is 5-4-3-2-A. An open pair does not affect the betting limit.
RULES OF RAZZ
-
All seven-card stud rules apply in razz except as otherwise noted.
-
The highest card by suit starts the action with a forced bet. The low hand acts first on all subsequent rounds. If the low hand is tied, the first player clockwise from the dealer starts the action.
-
Fixed-limit games use the lower limit on third and fourth streets and the upper limit on subsequent streets. An open pair does not affect the limit.
-
The dealer announces all pairs the first time they occur, except pairs of facecards, which are never announced
SECTION 6 – GENERAL TOURNAMENT RULES
By participating in a tournament, you agree to abide by the rules and behave in a courteous manner. A violator may be verbally warned, suspended from play for a specified length of time, or disqualified from the tournament. Chips from a disqualified participant will be removed from play. Players, whether in the hand or not, may not discuss the hands until the action is complete. Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing cards discarded or hand possibilities is not allowed. A penalty may be given for discussion of hands during the play.
- Whenever possible, all rules are the same as those that apply to live games.
- Initial seating is determined by random draw or assignment by Tournament Director software. The host shall always have a choice of seat prior to the tables being arranged.
- A change of seat is not allowed after play starts, except as assigned by the director.
- The appropriate starting amount of chips will be placed on the table for each paid entrant at the beginning of the event, whether the person is present or not.
- If a paid entrant is absent at the start of an event, at some point an effort will be made to locate and contact the player. If the player requests the chips be left in place until arrival, the request will be honored. If the player is unable to be contacted, the chips may be removed from play at the discretion of the director anytime after the end of the third betting round at the latest.
- A starting stack of chips may be placed in a seat to accommodate late entrants (so all antes and blinds have been appropriately paid). An unclaimed seat will have such a stack removed at a time left to the discretion of the director.
- A no-show or absent player is always dealt a hand. That player’s stack will post chips for blinds and antes, and have the forced lowcard bet put into the pot at stud.
- In all tournament games using a dealer button, the starting position of the button is determined by the players drawing for the high card.
- Limits and blinds are raised at regularly scheduled intervals predetermined prior to the start of the tournament.
- If there is a signal designating the end of a betting level, the new limits apply on the next deal. (A deal begins with the first riffle of the shuffle.)
- The lowest denomination of chip in play will be removed from the table when it is no longer needed in the blind or ante structure. All lower-denomination chips that are of sufficient quantity for a new chip will be changed up directly. The method for removal of odd chips is to deal one card to a player for each odd chip possessed. Cards are dealt clockwise starting with the 1-seat, with each player receiving all cards before any cards are dealt to the next player. A player may not be eliminated from the event by the chip-change process. If a player has no chips after the race has been held, he will be given a chip of the higher denomination before anyone else is awarded a chip. Next, the player with the highest card by suit gets enough odd chips to exchange for one new chip, the second-highest card gets to exchange for the next chip, and so forth, until all the lower-denomination chips are exchanged. If an odd number of lower-denomination chips are left after this process, the player with the highest card remaining will receive a new chip if he has half or more of the quantity of lower-denomination chips needed, otherwise nothing.
- A player must be present at the table to stop the action by calling “time.”
- A player must be at the table by the time all players have their complete starting hands in order to have a live hand for that deal. (The dealer has been instructed to kill the hands of all absent players immediately after dealing each player a starting hand.)
- As players are eliminated, tables are broken in a pre-set order, with players from the broken tables assigned to empty seats at other tables.
- New players to a table as a result of balancing tables are dealt in immediately unless they are in the small blind or button position, where they must wait until the button has passed to the player on their left.
- The number of players at each table will be kept reasonably balanced by the transfer of a player as needed. Table size will be kept within one player.
- In all events, there is a redraw for seating when the field is reduced to one table.
- If a player lacks sufficient chips for a blind or a forced bet, the player is entitled to get action on whatever amount of money is left in his stack. A player who posts a short blind and wins does not need to make up the blind.
- A player who declares all in and loses the pot, then discovers that one or more chips were hidden, is not entitled to benefit from this. That player is eliminated from the tournament if the opponent had sufficient chips to cover the hidden ones (A rebuy is okay if allowable by the rules of that event). If another deal has not yet started, the director may rule the chips belong to the opponent who won that pot, if that obviously would have happened with the chips out in plain view. If the next deal has started, the discovered chips are removed from the tournament.
- All players must leave their seat immediately after being eliminated from an event.
- Showing cards from a live hand during the action injures the rights of other players still competing in an event, who wish to see contestants eliminated. A player in a multihanded pot may not show any cards during a deal. Heads-up, a player may not show any cards unless the event has only two remaining players, or is winner-take-all. If a player deliberately shows a card, the player may be penalized (but his hand will not be ruled dead). Verbally stating one’s hand during the play may be penalized.
- The limitation on the number of raises at limit poker is also applied to heads-up situations (except the last two players in a tournament are exempted from a limitation on raises).
- At pot-limit and no-limit play, the player must either use a verbal statement giving the amount of the raise or put chips into the pot in a single motion. Otherwise, it is a string bet. Verbal announcements of bets will always overrule the amount of chips placed in the pot.
- Non-tournament chips are not allowed on the table, with the exception of being used as a card protector.
- Higher-denomination chips must be placed where they are easily visible to all other players.
- All tournament chips must remain visible on the table throughout the event. Chips taken off the table will be removed from the event, and a player doing this may be disqualified.
- Inappropriate behavior like throwing cards that go off the table may be punished with a penalty such as being dealt out for a length of time or number of hands. A severe infraction such as abusive or disruptive behavior may be punished by eviction from the tournament.
- Each table will use a rotating dealer and two decks of cards. While the dealer is dealing the current deck, the player in the small blind should be preparing the deck for the next hand. This will keep our tournaments running smoothly.
- The dealer button remains in position until the appropriate blinds are taken. Players must post all blinds every round. Because of this, last action may be given to the same player for two consecutive hands by the use of a “dead button.”
- In heads-up play with two blinds, the small blind is on the button. When play becomes heads-up, the player who had the big blind the most recently is given the button, and his opponent is given the big blind.
- At stud, if a downcard on the initial hand is dealt faceup, a misdeal is called.
- Any player wishing to rebuy must do so prior to missing action on one hand. If the player wishing to rebuy misses action, that player forfeits his right to a rebuy.
- All hands will be turned faceup whenever a player is all-in and betting action is complete.
- If multiple players go broke on the same hand, the player starting the hand with the larger amount of chips finishes in the higher place for prize money and any other award. Players eliminated on the same deal who start their final hand with an equal amount of chips receive equal prize money, with the best hand on that deal receiving any non-divisible award.
- Private agreements by remaining players in an event regarding distribution of the prize pool are not condoned. (However, if such an agreement is made, the director has the option of ensuring that it is carried out by paying those amounts.) Any private agreement that does not include one or more active competitors is improper by definition.
- A tournament event is expected to be played until completion. A private agreement that removes all prize money from being at stake in the competition is unethical.
- Dark City Poker League retains the right to cancel any event, or alter it in a manner fair to the players
SECTION 7 – COLORING UP CHIPS AND RACE OFFS
During certain times of the event, chips whose denomination which are no longer used shall be colored up. All players with additional chips which do not color up to the next denomination shall be "raced off" for the additional chips. Starting with the first position left of the button, each player will be dealt one card for each smaller denomination chip left over after coloring up all of their other lower denomination chips. The player highest card shall receive the first chip, the player with the second highest card shall receive the second chip, and so on, until all lower denomination chips have been exchanged for higher denomination. No player shall receive multiple chips until all players have received at least one chip. Players with one chip left at a race off may not be eliminated from an event due to a race off. In these cases, if said player loses during a race off, that player will still receive a chip prior to other players being awarded chips for the race off. In the case that there is an odd number of chips on the table (among all players), we will always round up to the next highest full amount. For example, if there are seven T-25 chips (T-175), two T-100 chips will be awarded. If there are nine T-25 chips (T-225), three T-100 chips will be awarded.
SECTION 8 – SEATING PLAYERS AND ABSENT PLAYERS
1. Seating and Moving of Players
Seating at any regular season event, Second Chance Qualifying Event, or Championship Main Event table shall be determined by our Tournament Director software. The League will use Tournament Director software to move seats and keep tables even until we are down to a single table. In the event that the software fails to move players accordingly, seating shall be determined by dealing of the cards, with the lowest card taking the first available seat and so on until the tale is filled and play can resume.
Prior to the beginning of each event, a dealer must be established for each table. This shall be done by dealing the cards to each person seated at the table. The player receiving the highest card shall assume the position of dealer. The player immediately to the left of the dealer shall assume the position of small blind. The player immediately to the left of the small blind shall assume the position of the big blind.
2. Eliminated Players
Throughout the event, it is expected that players will be eliminated from the event. Certain times a player who is eliminated will be next to assume the position of big blind, small blind or dealer. These instances shall be handled as addressed in section 4:1.
3. Absent Players
If a player must leave his seat, blinds will continue to be removed for them until they either return or “blind out”. Also, if a player is not at the table when a new hand is dealt, his cards will be automatically mucked when it is their turn to act. Essentially, if you are not there to act, your hand is declared dead.
In the case of a player needing to leave early, their remaining chips will be blinded out. An absent player, however, cannot bust out by blinding out, and final chips must be treated as “all in”, with the hand played as normally.
In addition, all seats to regular season events are first come first serve. Registration will open on the Monday before the start of an event, unless other arrangements have been made. If a player does not register by the Wednesday prior to the event, there is no guarantee that their seat will be reserved and it could be offered to another player. If a league member has committed to playing and a seat has been reserved for them, blinds will be removed when appropriate until his/her arrival. If that player has not arrived or made special arrangements by the end of the first break, their remaining chip stack will be removed and forfeited. Also, except in extenuating circumstances, up to 25 points may be deducted from their season total, regardless if the absence results in a player being excluded from the game.
Late entries will be allowed until the end of the first break. Late entries will be deducted 2 times the big blind for every round they have missed (Example, a late player enters the game in round 2. Their stack will be deducted two first round big blinds and two 2nd round big blinds from their starting chip stack). In addition, upon being seated, a late entrant must post a missed big blind regardless of their position.
Players may buy in prior to an event with the knowledge they will be absent from the game. They will be treated as a player leaving early with blinds being removed from their stack. All points will be awarded based on their finish. In this instance, their final chips shall not be treated as "all-in", but will blind off normally until their stack is depleted. Should it come to where this rule is being abused, it will be removed.
If a player who is eligible for points and has met League requirements is late or absent for either the Second Chance Qualifying Event or Championship Main Event, their chips shall be treated in accordance to a player leaving early and blinded out.
SECTION 9 – BUYINS AND PRIZES
All players participating in regular season events must post their buy-in prior to the beginning of the event. No money is to be exchanged between players during the course of the event.
All chips in both regular season and post-season play are to have no cash value assigned to them, nor should they be referred to as having cash value. All chips used in both regular season play and final round play are for points purposes only and may not be sold, traded, gambled or used in any fashion other than their original intended use.
1. Buy-Ins
Buy-in for all regular season events $25, with $20 going toward our nightly pot and $5 going toward our Championship Main Event pot. Season registration is $10 plus $5 for every tournament under 8 not played, however this fee is waived provided each player meets League requirements.
2. Rebuys
Players will be allowed one re-buy during any regular season tournament, unless no rebuys are specified. Any player taking a rebuy will receive the initial buy-in chips at a discounted buyin. In addition, a 10 point penalty will be automatically be assessed to any player rebuying into the tournament. Rebuys will not be allowed during heads-up tournaments, the Second Chance Event or Championship Main Event. Rebuys must be taken by the 2nd break, and a player must be completely exhausted of chips. In addition, if a player takes a rebuy, they must do so immediately after being eliminated. If action passes one time past an eliminated player, that player is eliminated for the duration of the tournament.
3. Prizes
Prizes will be awarded after every regular season and post-season event ONLY after the final hand is played. At that point, all prizes will be awarded to qualifying players. If a player needs to leave early and has qualified for a payout prize, that player's prize will be available at their convenience anytime AFTER the event has completed. Total prizes and number of payouts will be available to all players prior to the beginning of every event. Payouts are fixed rates and based upon percentages and participation: up to 10 players pays top 2 spots (65/35); 11-16 players pays the top 3 spots (55/30/15);17-24 players pays the top 4 spots (50/25/15/10).
4. Exchange of Monies
During game play, if players exchange or agree to exchange money at the table, place any form of currency on the table, or perform any other act that could possibly be construed as a cash wager, all players involved will be asked to leave immediately, will forfeit all chips in play and will forever be banned from participation in any DCP sponsored event.
SECTION 10 – POINTS
1. Base Points
All league players will receive base points according to a fixed point schedule set forth at the beginning of the season. In addition to base points, each player has the opportunity to earn bonus points during each regular season event. Base points and bonus points are accumulated over the course of the season and shall be used to determine players in both the Second Chance Qualifying Event and our Championship Main Event. Bonus points will be awarded for bounty players and high hand of the night.
2. Bounties
For each player that is eliminated completely from the tournament, the "hitman" will receive one point for that elimination. If the eliminated player rebuys into the tournament, then that player will not be considered eliminated for the purpose of awarding a bonus point. The winner of the tournament will, in addition to their base points and other bonus points awarded, will receive the additional point for their "hit" on themselves. In addition, the previous tournament winner carry a bounty button and will be worth an additional 5 points. The bounty player will not be considered eliminated if that player rebuys into the tournament. If the previous winner finishes the tournament in first place again, that player WILL NOT receive the additional 5 points, but their bounty will increase by 5 points until awarded to a hitman, except in the case of the last tournament of a scheduled season in which the 5 points WILL be awarded to that player.
3. High Hand
High hand of the night shall be awarded to the player with the highest ranking hand throughout the event, and that player will receive 2.5 points. Only one hole card needs to play to receive the high hand bonus. In the event of a "tie", then both hole cards must play to receive the point. For example, the high hand of the night is a full house, aces over kings. If the board shows AAKK4 and both players are holding an A, then neither player will qualify for the bonus. However, on the same board, if one player is holding an A and the other is holding AK, then the player holding AK will receive the bonus point. In the event that both players are holding AK, then both players will receive the bonus points.
SECTION 11 – POST-SEASON TOURNAMENTS
At the conclusion of each season, a Second Chance Qualifying Event and Championship Main Event will be held. There are no entry fees or buy-ins to these events, however players must be eligible to play at these tables.
- Second Chance Qualifying Event - All players who have met league requirements at the conclusion of the regular season (ranked 8th and beyond, up to 16 players) will be invited to play the Second Chance Qualifying Event to earn their seat at the Championship Main Event. The winner of the Second Chance tournament will win the final seat to the Championship Main Event.
- Championship Main Event –The Championship Main Event will be a single table, no limit hold’em event reserved for the top seven point leaders of the season who have qualified for post-season play, plus the winner of the second chance qualifying event. A player’s starting chip stack will be based solely upon their final season points, and will receive T-100 for every one point earned throughout the season. For example, if a player completes the season with 469.5 points, their starting chip count will be 46,950. The minimum starting chip stack for any player will be 40,000, regardless of their final season point standing. The maximum starting chip stack for any player at the Championship Main Event will be 100,000, regardless of their final season point standings.
For any player to qualify for post-season play, they must meet eligibility requirements. Dark City Poker League requires that all players have either played at least 8 out of the 12 regular season tournaments in order to be eligible for either the Second Chance Qualifying Event or the Championship Main Event. Players who have played at least 4 regular season tournaments but less that 8 regular season tournaments will be required to submit a registration fee for post-season play, which will be applied to the Championship Main Event prize pool. The league registration fee shall be $10 plus $5 for every game under 8 games played (example: if a player has played 6 regular season tournaments, their league registration will be $20 ($10 + $5 times 2). Any player who is in the top 7 in point standings at the end of the regular season but has played less than 8 regular season tournaments must play in the Second Chance tournament regardless of their point standings.
Any player who is invited to post-season play, and has accepted their invitation, who has not met the qualifications of Dark City Poker League prior to the dealing of the first hand of any Second Chance Qualifying Event or Championship Main Event will forfeit their seat in the event, and that seat will be declared vacant for the duration of the game. In addition, said player could face further penalties rolling over into the next season.
Any player who is invited to post-season play, and has met the qualifications of Dark City Poker League, is absent for either the Second Chance Qualifying Event or Championship Main Event, shall be treated as a player required to leave early (see 9. Absent Players), and their chips shall be blinded off accordingly.
In the event of a tie in points that will determine placement for the Second Chance Qualifying Event or Championship Main Event, ties will be broken by the following:
- Regular events played in the season - Player A has played 9 regular season games and Player B has played 8 regular season events. Player A will qualify for the seat.
- Game points (excluding bonus points) accumulated over the season - Player A and Player B are tied with 130 points, and have both played 7 events. Player A has 120 season points and 10 bonus points. Player B has 125 season points and 5 bonus points. Player B will qualify for the seat.
- Average regular event finishes over 5th place - Player A and Player B are tied with 130 points and have both played 7 events. Player A has finished 1st, 3rd and 4th over those 7 events. Player B has finished 1st, 3rd and 5th. Player A will qualify for the seat.
- Ro-Sham-Bo - Tied players will play a best of five ro-sham-bo (rock, paper scissors). The winner will qualify for the seat.
SECTION 12 – CONCLUSION
In the event of any dispute covered either within or not within these rules that cannot be resolved by the players involved shall be under the discretion of the tournament director. The tournament director’s decision shall be final, regardless if it is technically correct. These rules may be amended at any time as certain situations may warrant change. Have fun!
SECTION 13 – GLOSSARY
The following terms are used throughout the rules of Dark City Poker League.
- ACTION: A fold, check, call, bet, or raise. For certain situations, doing something formally connected with the game that conveys information about your hand may also be considered as having taken action. Examples would be showing your cards at the end of the hand, or indicating the number of cards you are taking at draw.
- AGGRESSIVE ACTION: A wager that could enable a player to win a pot without a showdown; a bet or raise.
- ALL-IN: When you have put all of your playable money and chips into the pot during the course of a hand, you are said to be all-in.
- ANTE: A prescribed amount posted before the start of a hand by all players.
- BET: (1) The act of making a wager before anyone else on a betting round. (2)The chips used by a player to bet, call, or raise.
- BIG BLIND: The largest regular blind in a game.
- BLIND: A required bet made before any cards are dealt.
- BLIND GAME: A game which utilizes a blind.
- BOARD: (1) The board on which a waiting list is kept for players wanting seats in specific games. (2) Cards faceup on the table common to each of the hands.
- BOARDCARD: A community card in the center of the table, as in hold’em or Omaha.
- BOXED CARD: A card that appears faceup in the deck where all other cards are facedown.
- BROKEN GAME: A game no longer in action.
- BURNCARD: After the initial round of cards is dealt, the first card off the deck in each round that is placed under a chip in the pot, for security purposes. To do so is to burn the card; the card itself is called the burncard.
- BUTTON: A player who is in the designated dealer position. See dealer button.
- BUTTON GAMES: Games in which a dealer button is used.
- BUY-IN: The minimum amount of money required to enter any game.
- CARDS SPEAK: The face value of a hand in a showdown is the true value of the hand, regardless of a verbal announcement.
- CAPPED: Describes the situation in limit poker in which the maximum number of raises on the betting round have been reached.
- CHECK: To waive the right to initiate the betting in a round, but to retain the right to act if another player initiates the betting.
- CHECK-RAISE: To waive the right to bet until a bet has been made by an opponent, and then to increase the bet by at least an equal amount when it is your turn to act.
- COLLECTION: The fee charged in a game (taken either out of the pot or from each player).
- COLLECTION DROP: A fee charged for each hand dealt.
- COLOR UP: A request to change the chips from one denomination to another.
- COMMON CARD: A card dealt faceup to be used by all players at the showdown in the games of stud poker whenever there are insufficient cards left in the deck to deal each player a card.
- COMMUNITY CARDS: The cards dealt faceup in the center of the table that can be used by all players to form their best hand in the games of hold’em and Omaha.
- COMPLETE THE BET: To increase an all-in bet or forced bet to a full bet in limit poker.
- CUT: To divide the deck into two sections in such a manner as to change the order of the cards.
- CUT-CARD: Another term for the card used to shield the bottom of the deck.
- DEAD CARD: A card that is not legally playable.
- DEAD COLLECTION BLIND: A fee posted by the player having the dealer button, used in some games as an alternative method of seat rental.
- DEAD HAND: A hand that is not legally playable.
- DEAD MONEY: Chips that are taken into the center of the pot because they are not considered part of a particular player’s bet.
- DEAL: To give each player cards, or put cards on the board. As used in these rules, each deal refers to the entire process from the shuffling and dealing of cards until the pot is awarded to the winner.
- DEALER BUTTON: A flat disk that indicates the player who would be in the dealing position for that hand (if there were not a house dealer). Normally just called “the button.”
- DEAL OFF: To take all the blinds and the button before changing seats or leaving the table. That is, participate through all the blind positions and the dealer position.
- DEAL TWICE: When there is no more betting, agreeing to have the rest of the cards to come determine only half the pot, removing those cards, and dealing again for the other half of the pot.
- A set of playing-cards. In these games, the deck consists of either:
- 52 cards in seven-card stud, hold’em, and Omaha.
- 53 cards (including the joker), often used in ace-to-five lowball and draw high.
- DISCARD(S): In a draw game, to throw cards out of your hand to make room for replacements, or the card(s) thrown away; the muck.
- DOWNCARDS: Cards that are dealt facedown in a stud game.
- DRAW: (1) The poker form where players are given the opportunity to replace cards in the hand. In some places like California, the word “draw” is used referring to draw high, and draw low is called “lowball.” (2) The act of replacing cards in the hand. (3) The point in the deal where replacing is done is called “the draw.”
- FACECARD: A king, queen, or jack.
- FIXED LIMIT: In limit poker, a betting structure where the bet size on each round is pre-set.
- FLASHED CARD: A card that is partially exposed.
- FLOORPERSON: A casino employee who seats players and makes decisions.
- FLOP: In hold’em or Omaha, the three community cards that are turned simultaneously after the first round of betting is complete.
- FLUSH: A poker hand consisting of five cards of the same suit.
- FOLD: To throw a hand away and relinquish all interest in a pot.
- FOURTH STREET: The second upcard in seven-card stud or the first boardcard after the flop in holdem (also called the turn card).
- FOULED HAND: A dead hand.
- FORCED BET: A required wager to start the action on the first betting round (the normal way action begins in a stud game).
- FREEROLL: A chance to win something at no risk or cost.
- FULL BUY: A buy-in of at least the minimum amount of chips needed for a particular game.
- FULL HOUSE: A hand consisting of three of a kind and a pair.
- HAND: (1) All a player’s personal cards. (2) The five cards determining the poker ranking. (3) A single poker deal.
- HEADS-UP PLAY: Only two players involved in play.
- HOLECARDS: The cards dealt facedown to a player.
- INSURANCE: A side agreement when someone is all-in for a player in a pot to put up money that guarantees a payoff of a set amount in case the opponent wins the pot.
- JOKER: The joker is a “partly wild card” in high draw poker and ace-to-five lowball. In high, it is used for aces, straights, and flushes. In lowball, it is the lowest unmatched rank in a hand.
- KANSAS CITY LOWBALL: A form of draw poker low also known as deuce-to-seven, in which the best hand is 7-5-4-3-2 and straights and flushes count against you.
- KICKER: The highest unpaired card that helps determine the value of a five-card poker hand.
- KILL (OR KILL BLIND): An oversize blind, usually twice the size of the big blind and doubling the limit. Sometimes a “half-kill” increasing the blind and limits by fifty percent is used. A kill can be either voluntary or mandatory. The most common requirements of a mandatory kill are for winning two pots in a row, or for scooping a pot in high-low split.
- KILL BUTTON: A button used in a lowball game to indicate a player who has won two pots in a row and is required to kill the pot.
- KILL POT: A pot with a forced kill by the winner of the two previous pots, or the winner of an entire pot of sufficient size in a high-low split game. (Some pots can be voluntarily killed.)
- LEG UP: Being in a situation equivalent to having won the previous pot, and thus liable to have to kill the following pot if you win the current pot.
- LIVE BLIND: A blind bet giving a player the option of raising if no one else has raised.
- LIST: The ordered roster of players waiting for a game.
- LOCK-UP: A chip marker that holds a seat for a player.
- LOWBALL: A draw game where the lowest hand wins.
- LOWCARD: At seven-card stud, the lowest upcard, which is required to bet.
- MISCALL: An incorrect verbal declaration of the ranking of a hand.
- MISDEAL: A mistake on the dealing of a hand which causes the cards to be reshuffled and a new hand to be dealt.
- MISSED BLIND: A required bet that is not posted when it is your turn to do so.
- MUCK: (1) The pile of discards gathered facedown in the center of the table by the dealer. (2) To discard a hand.
- MUST-MOVE: In order to protect the main game, a situation where the players of a second game must move into the first game as openings occur.
- NO-LIMIT: A betting structure allowing players to wager any or all of their chips in one bet.
- OPENER: The player who made the first voluntary bet.
- OPENER BUTTON: A button used to indicate who opened a particular pot in a draw game.
- OPENERS: In jacks-or-better draw, the cards held by the player who opens the pot that show the hand qualifies to be opened. Example: You are first to bet and have a pair of kings; the kings are called your openers.
- OPTION: The choice to raise a bet given to a player with a blind.
- OVERBLIND: Also called oversize blind. A blind used in some pots that is bigger than the regular big blind, and usually increases the stakes proportionally.
- PASS: (1) Decline to bet. In a pass-and-out game, this differs from a check, because a player who passes must fold. (2) Decline to call a wager, at which point you must discard your hand and have no further interest in the pot.
- PAT: Not drawing any cards in a draw game.
- PLAY BEHIND: Have chips in play that are not in front of you (allowed only when waiting for chips that are already purchased). This differs from table stakes.
- PLAY THE BOARD: Using all five community cards for your hand in hold’em.
- PLAY OVER: To play in a seat when the occupant is absent.
- PLAYOVER BOX: A clear plastic box used to cover and protect the chips of an absent player when someone plays over that seat.
- POSITION: (1) The relation of a player’s seat to the blinds or the button. (2) The order of acting on a betting round or deal.
- POT-LIMIT: The betting structure of a game in which you are allowed to bet up to the amount of the pot.
- POTTING OUT: Agreeing with another player to take money out of a pot, often to buy food, cigarettes, or drinks, or to make side bets.
- PROPOSITION BET: A side bet not related to the outcome of the hand.
- PROTECTED HAND: A hand of cards that the player is physically holding, or has topped with a chip or some other object to prevent a fouled hand.
- PUSH: When a new dealer replaces an existing dealer at a particular table.
- PUSHING BETS: The situation in which two (or more) players make an agreement to return bets to each other when one of them wins a pot in which the other plays. Also called saving bets.
- RACK: (1) A container in which chips are stored while being transported. (2) A tray in front of the dealer, used to hold chips and cards.
- RAISE: To increase the amount of a previous wager. This increase must meet certain specifications, depending on the game, to reopen the betting and count toward a limit on the number of raises allowed.
- RERAISE: To raise someone’s raise.
- SAVING BETS: Same as pushing bets.
- SCOOP: To win the entire pot in a high-low split game by a wager or showdown.
- SCRAMBLE: A facedown mixing of the cards.
- SETUP: Two new decks, each with different colored backs, to replace the current decks.
- SIDE POT: A separate pot formed when one or more players are all in.
- SHORT BUY: A buy-in that is less than the required minimum buy-in.
- SHOWDOWN: The showing of cards to determine the pot-winner after all the betting is over.
- SHUFFLE: The act of mixing the cards before a hand.
- SMALL BLIND: In a game with multiple blind bets, the smallest blind.
- SOFTPLAY: To show favoritism to a particular opponent by checking throughout a deal whenever heads-up. This refusal to bet with a good hand or bluff with a bad hand when facing a certain person, however motivated, is still improper poker behavior. Softplaying is actually a form of collusion, and may be penalized as such.
- SPLIT POT: A pot that is divided among players, either because of a tie for the best hand or by agreement prior to the showdown.
- SPLITTING BLINDS: When no one else has entered the pot, an agreement between the big blind and small blind to each take back their blind bets instead of playing the deal (chopping).
- SPLITTING OPENERS: In high draw jacks-or-better poker, dividing openers in hopes of making a different type of hand (such as breaking aces to draw at a flush).
- STACK: Chips in front of a player.
- STRADDLE: An additional blind bet placed after the forced blinds, usually double the big blind in size or in lowball, a multiple blind game.
- STRAIGHT: Five cards in consecutive rank.
- STRAIGHT FLUSH: Five cards in consecutive rank of the same suit.
- STREET: Cards dealt on a particular round in stud games. For instance, the fourth card in a player’s hand is often known as fourth street, the sixth card as sixth street, and so on.
- STRING RAISE: A wager made in more than one motion, without announcing a raise before going back to your stack for more chips (not allowed).
- STUB: The portion of the deck which has not been dealt.
- SUPERVISOR: A cardroom employee qualified to make rulings, such as a floorperson, shift supervisor, or the cardroom manager.
- TABLE STAKES: (1) The amount of money you have on the table. This is the maximum amount that you can win or lose on a hand. (2) The requirement that players can wager only the money in front of them at the start of a hand, and can only buy more chips between hands.
- “TIME”: An expression used to stop the action on a hand. Equivalent to “Hold it.”
- TIME COLLECTION: A fee for a seat rental, paid in advance.
- TURNCARD: The fourth board-card in hold'em or Omaha.
- UPCARDS: Cards that are dealt faceup for opponents to see in stud games.
- WAGER: (1) To bet or raise. (2) The chips used for betting or raising.
|
News & Events