- Casino Poker Tournament Rules
- Online Poker Tournament
- Poker Tournament Director Rules
- Casino Poker Tournament Rules How To Play
Registration
1. Participants may register for Mohegan Sun poker events at the registration area located in the Poker Room. Some events may have an alternate registration area—such area will be designated by signage.
2. Participants must be 21 years of age and have a valid government ID to participate in a tournament.
3. Players need not be present to register for an event. Players may register any individual for an event as long as payment for the event is made and the player's first and last name is provided.
4. Sign-up begins three (3) hours prior to each event and will end after level two (2) of each event. Some events may have extended registration hours. Extension for registration shall be at the discretion of the tournament manager.
5. Registration receipts are non-transferable, unless specified during certain events.
6. Tournament times are approximate; Mohegan Sun reserves the right to change tournament times at its sole discretion.
7. Refunds to any tournament will be allowed up to and until the start of any event. Mohegan Sun reserves the right to disallow refunds at its discretion. Refunds will require an ID and will only be issued to the purchaser.
8. All tournament seats will be randomly assigned electronically or manually.
9. A condition of entry into any major poker event held at Mohegan Sun, will be the completion of and signing of a media release form which will be distributed prior to the event by Mohegan Sun staff.
Poker is one of the most popular card games of all time, and there are a number of games you can learn. This guide covers Texas Hold'em as well as Razz, 7-Card Stud, and Omaha. You'll also find tips for dealing, holding tournaments, and much more. Simultaneous Poker play from more than one operator within the PWL network, (including tournament entries or re-entries from multiple operators), is strictly prohibited. Players deemed in violation of this policy will be subject to a thorough account review which may include the seizure of any winnings and the potential for account closure.
Cancellation of Tournaments and Promotions
1. Mohegan Sun may cancel or alter the event at its sole discretion in the best interest of Mohegan Sun or its players with notification and approval of MTGC.
2. Mohegan Sun may cancel the tournament prior to its commencement without liability with notification and approval of MTGC.
3. Mohegan Sun may cancel any promotion, including but not limited to a Mohegan Sun guaranteed prize pool with notification and approval of MTGC. Cancellation of a tournament or promotion includes but not limited to the following reasons:
- Inclement weather
- Holidays
- High volume guest days
4. Mohegan Sun may revise the number of poker tables if the minimum number of participants is not met or the maximum number of participants is exceeded.
5. Mohegan Sun may limit the number of participants due to business volume considerations and table availability.
6. In the event of a cancellation any and all fees collected by Mohegan Sun shall be returned to the players.
Seating and Prizes
Casino Poker Tournament Rules
1. Tournament participants will be assigned to a table and seat through a random computer selection via a tournament manager program.
2. Players will be allocated the exact same number of chips as all other players and this amount bears no relationship to the buy-in of the event.
3. The random seat drawn for an event will be determined based on the expected number of participants.
4. Players may not request to be seated at a particular table or seat. Exceptions may be granted to accommodate guests with special needs. In the case of alternate seating, this will be handled on a first-available basis.
5. Alternates and late sign-ups for all events will be allowed to enter during the first two (2) levels, alternates and late sign-ups may require a new stack of chips. Late sign-ups that require a new stack of chips to be placed on the table will have the equivalent of all blinds and/or antes extracted from the stack for every level the tournament has elapsed.
6. Once the tournament has begun, any player not present at their seat will have all antes and blinds removed from their stack accordingly. If a player shows up and still has chips remaining, they may play their chips.
7. Players will be required to produce a valid government ID in order to collect their prize. Prizes are non-transferable.
8. All prizes will expire 120 days from the date of issue.
9. U.S. citizens will be issued a W-2G on all payouts of $5,001 or more, minus the buy-in.
10. Players from foreign countries will be issued a 1042-S on all payouts of $5,000 or more, minus the buy-in. Exceptions may apply according to country of residence and income tax treaty, if the player provides an International Taxpayer Identification Number, and they complete IRS Form-W-8BEN.
11. Upon nearing the first level of the prize pool payout, 'The Money,' a 'hand-for-hand' method of determining player placement within the prize pool and actual amount of prize pool disbursement within that event will be utilized.
1. The current hand in progress at all tables will be completed.
2. Each dealer will then deal one hand only, once complete - suspend play. This process will continue until enough players have been eliminated to reach the money.
3. During the hand-for-hand process, more than one player may be eliminated during the same hand. If two players are eliminated during the same hand at different tables, both players will 'tie' for that place finish and split any awarded prizes. If two players are eliminated during the same hand at the same table, the player who began that hand with the highest chip count will receive the higher place finish. During regular play, if two or more players are eliminated at separate tables; they will be assigned a finishing position based on the order of elimination. In the event it is impossible to determine the order of elimination, they will tie for that place finish and split any awarded prizes.
Player Agreements Concerning Prize Payouts
1. Mohegan Sun allows the players to come to an agreement between themselves concerning prize payouts once the prize level has been reached.
2. Participants of the tournament must adhere to the following rules and stipulations when making an agreement.
- All of the remaining players must come to a unanimous decision on the terms of the agreement.
- The terms of the agreement must be submitted to and approved by the tournament manager.
- Once all participants in the presence of a tournament supervisor or above have stated they are in agreement of the said terms, the agreement will become binding.
- Each player will be required to sign a statement confirming his/her acceptance to the terms of the agreement in the presence of a tournament supervisor or above when receiving the agreed payout.
- Mohegan Sun reserves the right to allow or to disallow any type of agreement at its sole discretion.
Online Poker Tournament
Bounty Tournament
1. Participants of a Bounty tournament will pay a buy-in, entry fee and bounty fee. The cost of the tournament would reflect all fees attached to the tournament. Bounty amounts will be predetermined and posted prior to the event.
2. Tournament buy-in/fee/bounty will be non-refundable once the tournament has begun.
3. Mohegan Sun will use a value 'Bounty Chip' for its bounty tournament; in addition, one of the following items may be used in a bounty tournament: Bounty Marker or Bounty Button.
4. Participants will receive a value chip when registering; this value chip will be equivalent to the value of the bounty for that tournament.
5. Participants will be responsible to produce the value bounty chip upon being seated at the event.
6. Value bounty chips must be displayed on the table at all times.
7. Players moving 'All In' must have their bounty chip placed into the pot at the time of the 'All-In'. Tossing a 'Bounty Chip' into the pot does not constitute an 'All-In.'
8. Participants of the bounty tournament shall receive non-value tournament chips to participate in the event.
9. Players will receive bounty in the amount stated in the tournament registration for every player which they eliminate during the event.
10. Participants eliminated from the bounty tournament must forfeit their value bounty chip to the person which has eliminated them.
11. Players may receive more than one bounty during play, however will only forfeit one bounty when being eliminated from the tournament.
12. Levels of the bounty tournament shall be determined by the event.
13. Players found to be concealing a value bounty chip which should be displayed will be penalized on the first offense. A one-round penalty will be given to anyone who violates this rule.
14. A second offense will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all bounty chips.
15. Seating may be limited.
16. Management has the right to change or discontinue programs at its discretion with notification to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Commission.
Shoot Out Tournament
1. Participants of a Shoot Out Tournament will pay a buy-in and entry fee to compete in a qualifying tournament.
2. Tournament buy-in/fees will be non-refundable once the tournament has begun.
3. Players may choose to play in more than one shoot out qualifier.
4. Shoot Out Qualifying tournament blinds will last 15 minutes.
5. Top three players from each table will advance to the finals.
6. Advancing players will be registered for the final event immediately following the qualifying event.
7. Shoot Out Final tournament blinds will last 40 minutes.
8. Only advancing qualified participants will be allowed to enter the final event.
9. Seating may be limited.
10. Management has the right to change or discontinue programs at its discretion with notification to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Commission.
Player Conduct and Penalties
1. A penalty MAY be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending, throws a card off the table, violates the one-player-to-a-hand rule or similar incidents.
2. Penalties WILL be invoked in cases of soft play, abuse or disruptive behavior. Penalties available to the TD include verbal warnings and 'missed hand' penalties. Except for a one-hand penalty, missed hand penalties will be assessed as follows: The offender will miss one hand for every player, including the offender, who is at the table when the penalty is given multiplied by the number of rounds specified in the penalty. For the period of the penalty, the offender shall remain away from the table but will continue to be dealt in. If a player is moved while on a penalty, he/she will sit out the remainder of the penalty at the new table. This action may require a player to miss and pay more than one set of blinds.
3. Tournament staff can assess a one-hand penalty, one-, two-, three- or four-round penalties or disqualification. A player who is disqualified shall have his or her chips removed from play. Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties.
4. Players whom have been disqualified will not be entitled to a refund and their chips will be removed from play.
5. A non-directed dropping of the (F) bomb will result in a warning on the first offense and a penalty thereafter.
6. Continuous etiquette violations of the below infractions will result in a penalty. Infractions include but are not limited to: touching another player's cards or chips, delay of game, acting out of turn, critiquing another player, excessive chatter, excessive celebration, inappropriate behavior, physical actions, gestures or conduct.
7. To avoid affecting the interest of other competitors, an active player in a pot is forbidden to show any hole cards to an opponent during play, even when heads up. Any player who violates this rule will be subjected to a penalty.
8. The player must notify the tournament staff prior to returning to their seat.
9. Any player whom has qualified for a prize payout and becomes disqualified will be entitled to the prize payout for their finish at the time of disqualification. In the case where the infraction is so severe that it requires the player to be ejected from the tournament and the casino, the player will not be entitled to any prize money.
10. A player must wait until it is their turn to act prior to inquiring about the size of an all-in bet or a player's chip count.
11. In the event there can be no more active betting (only one of the remaining players has chips), all players will be required to turn their hole cards face up.
General Rules
Poker Room rules will apply, except for the following:
1. THE TOURNAMENT MANAGER: The tournament manager is responsible for all table, seating and dealer decisions. The tournament manager is responsible for the handling of the timer although he may delegate this task to any assignee at his discretion. In the case of disputes and/or interpretations of the rules, the tournament manager is the final authority and his/her decision is final and cannot be appealed. If the dispute directly involves the tournament manager, the poker director or higher will resolve the dispute. The decision of the tournament manager will be FINAL.
2. FLOOR SUPERVISOR: Floor supervisors are to consider the best interest, integrity and fairness of the game when making a decision. Unusual circumstances can, on occasion, dictate that decisions in the interest of fairness take priority over the technical rules. The supervisor's decision is final.
3. CALLING FOR A RULING: A call for a ruling should be asked for immediately following the incident. If a player believes an error has occurred or a rule has been broken, he/she should notify a supervisor of the issue. Failure to bring attention to the issue may result in the error standing.
4. TOURNAMENT INTEGRITY:
1. First time of an intentional misconduct shall result in immediately being disqualified from the tournament. In addition, the guest shall also receive a warning that with any further misconduct, the guest shall be permanently ejected from the Poker Room and Mohegan Sun.
- A first offense of misconduct shall result in a warning that any further misconduct will result in the guest being permanently ejected from the Poker Room and Mohegan Sun.
- A first offense of intentional misconduct shall result in immediate disqualification from the tournament. In addition, the guest shall also receive a warning that any further misconduct will result in the guest being permanently ejected from the Poker Room and Mohegan Sun.
- Any further misconduct, intentional or otherwise, shall result in the guest being permanently ejected from the Poker Room and Mohegan Sun.
2. Mohegan Sun reserves the right to take any and all of the above action to include further action that Mohegan Sun deems appropriate to address the situation.
Mohegan Sun reserves the right to protect the integrity of the tournament. This includes the right to redraw the tournament at any time without prior notice, break tables in non-sequential order, and in the interest of the other guests in the tournament who deserve a fair opportunity to win, the following actions may be taken:
5. CHOOSING THE DEALER: The position of the dealer button will be determined by the tournament manager/supervisor assigning one dealer to shuffle and deal out one card face up to each stack at the table. The highest card will become the button on all tables. The tournament manager/supervisor will announce that all dealers place the dealer button in the determined position. Positions will be determined beginning with seat number one, the first position to the left of the dealer. Draws for the dealer button will take place at the beginning of the tournament and the final table. Some tournaments may require additional draws.
6. DEAD BUTTON RULE: Tournament play will use the dead button rule. Dead Button is defined as a button that can not be advanced due to elimination of a player or the seating of a new player into a position between the small blind and the button.
7. BUTTON IN HEADS-UP: When heads-up, the small blind is on the button and acts first. When beginning heads-up play, the button may need to be adjusted to ensure that no player takes the big blind twice in a row. It is the responsibility of each player, along with the dealer, to ensure that the dealer button is in the correct position. In the event the dealer button was not moved, it must be discovered prior to the big blind acting in order to be rectified. Once the big blind has acted, the button will not be corrected on either the current hand or any subsequent hands.
8. ALL-IN BUTTON: All-in buttons are intended to be used as a visual when players have moved all-in. The button will be placed by the dealer in front of the player which has stated the all-in. Once the button is placed, no player will have the ability to state they did not know the player was all-in. No money will be returned to any player which has stated call, raise or has placed money into the pot.
9. DODGING BLINDS: A player who intentionally dodges his or her blind(s) when moving from a broken table will forfeit the blind(s) and/or incur a penalty. The money will be put into the next pot and will be considered dead money.
10. TIMER USE FOR MULTI-TABLE EVENTS: A timer will be used to time the blind progression. When the time of each round expires, the tournament supervisor will inform dealers of the next blind level and the timer will automatically restart. The next hand will be dealt at the new blind level. For the purposes of this rule, the following guidelines will be used to determine the start of a hand.
- Shuffle Machine: A new hand will be determined by the dealer pushing the 'Green' button to retrieve the deck.
- Manual Shuffle: A new hand will be determined by the dealer's first riffle of the cards.
11. TIMER USE FOR SINGLE-TABLE EVENTS: The official time for the satellite games (single table sit-n-go tournaments) will be kept by a timer provided to the dealer at the table. The official time for multi-table tournaments will be kept via a tournament manager program displayed on monitors in the area of the tournament.
12. CHIPS & CARDS VISIBLE:
1. All chips and cards must be visibly displayed on the table at all times.
- Tournament chips may not be redeemed or used in other areas of the casino.
- Tournament chips must be stacked separately and kept in plain view at all times.
- Larger chip values must be placed in front of smaller chip values.
- When asked in turn by another player or supervisor, players must give an accurate count of all chips. Tournament supervisors may count a player's chip stack.
- Players are required to color up when instructed to do so by a supervisor.
- Players moving from table to table will be required to transport their chips in a chip rack.
- Playing out of a chip rack will not be allowed.
- Players may not have tournament chips in their pocket at any time. A player who has chips in their pocket will forfeit those chips and will receive a one-round penalty. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play.
- In the event of a disqualification, all chips will be forfeited to the house.
2. Any player caught in violation of the above rules will be warned on the first offense. A second offense will result in a one round penalty.
13. EXPOSING A HAND: No flashing cards. Intentional card flashing will incur a one-round penalty. Any money in the pot is property of the pot and will not be returned to the player. The player may finish the hand in question and then be assessed the penalty.
1. A player who exposes their hand may have their hand called dead.
- If a player exposes their hand prior to any betting, the hand would be considered dead. The player would then be penalized one round for the exposed card or cards.
- If the player has placed a bet or raise and exposes their hand, they will incur a penalty but not have their hand called dead. Betting would still be open. Once the hand has been completed, the penalty would be imposed.
14. PASSING CHIPS: The passing of chips from one player to another is not allowed. Doing so will result in elimination of both the giving and receiving player from the tournament.
15. WITHDRAWAL: Any active player who chooses to withdraw from the tournament before being knocked-out must hand (resign) his/her chips to the house. An exception to this rule would be during any 'Bounty' tournament. If a player withdraws from a bounty event, their chips will remain in play to include their bounty chip. When the player has been chipped off, their bounty chip will be placed into the pot with their final chips and awarded to the winner of that round of play. Any Bounty chips won by the player resigning will be the property of that player and will not be forfeited. A player who leaves a tournament at any stage and for whatever reason is deemed to have forfeited any right to the cost of the entry. The chip stack of such player will continue to be blinded off, however, should the player finish in the money once all chips have been blinded off, the player shall remain eligible for the prize which corresponds to the order of his/her finish.
16. ACCEPTABLE ITEMS: Items permitted on the table will consist of the following acceptable chips, cards and/or card protectors. A card protector is a small lucky charm, a chip, coin or some other small similar object. Drinks will be allowed on the tables, but there will be no smoking at the poker tables. Smoking will be permitted in a designated area only. No foreign chips will be allowed on the table except for a maximum of one used as a card marker.
17. ABSENT PLAYER: A player that is absent from the table or on a penalty will be dealt in and required to post all antes and blinds.
18. ONE PLAYER: The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced.
- Players are not permitted to discuss with others (players or spectators) the content of their hand or ask for assistance on how to play the hand.
- Players are expected to protect other players in the tournament, whether in a hand or not. A player or spectator may not disclose the contents of a live or folded hand, read a hand that hasn't been tabled, touch another player's cards or advise/criticize play before the action is complete.
- While in a hand, players are not permitted to discuss hands or strategies, nor may they seek or receive consultation.
- Players are expected to protect their hand at all times. An unprotected hand will have no redress and will not be entitled to a refund of bets if the hand is mucked by the dealer.
- Any of the above rule infractions may result in a penalty or disqualification. Spectators who commit any infractions will be asked to leave the area and the player may be penalized or disqualified.
19. TABLE TALK: Table talk pertaining to the hand will not be permitted whenever there are three or more players in the hand.
1. Once in a heads-up situation:
- Talking will be permitted.
- Talking will be limited and can not include revealing the content of your hand. Revealing any part of the content of the hand will result in a 'warning on the first offense' and a penalty thereafter.
20. ACTION ON A HAND:
1. Players must be present at the table and at their seat prior to the last card dealt to have their hand considered live. Players not 'at their seat' prior to all players being dealt a complete initial starting hand will have their hand mucked immediately.
2. In order to call 'time,' a player must be in their seat.
3. 'At your seat' is defined as being within reach of your chair.
4. While in a hand, a player is required to remain at the table.
5. A player's announcement to pass or fold in turn will be binding, any bet or raise amount will be upheld and honored.
6. Announcements to pass or fold 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 not considered action changing.
7. A player who repetitively makes announcements out of turn will be subject to a penalty.
8. Verbal declarations as to the content of one's hand are not binding, however at management's discretion, any player deliberately miscalling his/her hand may be subject to a penalty.
21. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: The English-only rule will be enforced during the play of hands.
22. ODD CHIP: The odd chip will go to the high hand. In flop games when there are two or more high hands or two or more low hands, the odd chip(s) will go to the left of the button. In stud games, the odd chip will go to the high card by suit.
23. DISPUTED POTS: The right to dispute a hand ends when a new hand begins. (See rule Timer Use For Multi-Table Events).
24. CHIP RACE:
1. During a color up, chips will be raced off with a maximum of one chip going to any one player.
2. The chip race always begins in the one seat or nearest if the one seat is vacant.
3. All odd chips less than the next level chip will be placed in front of the player. One card will be dealt face up to the player in order, one card for every odd chip. The highest card will win the chip race, players can only win once. Odd chips will be rounded up to the next highest chip value.
4. A player cannot be raced out of a tournament. In the case where the player's odd chips are the only chips they have, they will be required to participate in the race. However, if the player loses the race, they will be given one chip of the smallest denomination still in play.
5. Players are encouraged to witness the chip race.
6. Players found to have lower denomination chips remaining in their stack after the race off will forfeit those chips unless they are equivalent in value to a chip still in play.
25. BET AND RAISE REQUIREMENTS:
1. It is the player's responsibility to know where they are in a hand and what action is taking place. A player who places an inadequate number of chips into the pot in turn when making a call will be held to the following guidelines:
- None of the ill-placed chips will be returned to the player. Any money in the pot becomes property of the pot and will not be returned to the player.
- The players will have the option to call the remaining amount to complete the bet or fold.
2. Once chips are dropped, pushed or cut out onto the felt, on or inside the betting line, they are irretrievable.
3. Any chips released in the same motion will be considered part of the same action, even if some of them do not reach or remain inside the betting line. Once the player begins to withdraw their hand from inside the betting line, their action is complete. The only way a player is allowed a second trip across the betting line is if they announce their intention to raise prior to releasing or cutting out any chips onto the felt inside the betting line.
4. For chips held in the hand, forward motion which reaches the vicinity of the extended betting line commits a player to take at least minimum action.
5. A player who releases multiple chips into a pot which are equal to or greater than 50% of the amount required to make a raise will be required to complete the bet to the amount of the minimum raise.
6. A player who releases multiple chips into a pot which are less than 50% of the amount required to make a raise will be held to a call and will be required to take back any excessive chips.
7. When making a bet or raise, any chips attached to the chips released into the pot will be counted as money in the pot.
8. An all-in bet of less than a full raise does not reopen the betting to a player who has already acted.
9. A single oversized chip thrown into the pot will be considered a 'call' unless a raise has been stated.
10. If a player announces raise and throws in an oversized chip, the bet will be equal to the full value of that chip, unless an amount is stated prior to the chip hitting the felt.
11. An announcement to raise with an oversized chip thrown into the pot with no amount stated will be limited to the full amount of the chip.
12. When raising, a player must either put the amount of the raise out in one motion or state the raise amount. If a player states 'raise,' a player protects his right to raise, but the raise must be made in one motion unless an amount is stated.
13. In 'Limit Games,' betting rounds are restricted to a bet and three raises, the restriction will be lifted once there are only two players remaining.
14. In 'No-Limit Games,' players are allowed to bet their entire bankroll at any time.
15. There are no restrictions on the number of raises in a 'No-Limit Game.'
16.'Check Raising' is allowed.
17. 'All-In' means 'ALL-IN'— NO EXCEPTIONS.
18. A minimum bet equal to the amount of the big blind will be required after the flop, unless the player is moving All-In.
19. All raises must be equal to or greater than the preceding bet or raise.
20. String betting is not allowed and may result in a penalty. Dealers are responsible for calling string bets.
21. Verbal declarations or hand gestures to bet, check, fold or raise in turn are binding.
22. All cards will be turned face up once a player is all-in and all action is complete. Unless three or more players are 'all-in,' then cards will be opened in order of side pot action.
26. POT SIZE: Dealers will not count or spread the pot in limit and no limit games. Players are entitled to be informed of the pot size in pot-limit games only.
27. SIDE POTS: Each side pot will be split separately.
28. BETTING LINE: The betting line is for the purpose of placing blinds and antes, bets, calls and raises.
29. SHOWDOWN:
1. A player who miscalls their hand may receive a penalty.
2. When playing the board, a player must show all of their cards in order to win the pot.
3. When two or more players are exposing hands to determine the winner of a pot, all of their cards must be shown in order to win the pot.
4. At the end of the last betting round, the player who made the last aggressive action must show first. If there was no bet on the final betting round, the player who made the last bet in a previous round will be required to show first. In the event there was no action on the previous round, the player to the left of the dealer button must show first.
5. A player who calls may be subject to reveal their cards at the request of the initial bettor. In tournament play, only the called player can request to see the calling player's cards.
30. THE MONEY:
1. If two or more players are eliminated at the same table, the player with the higher chip count will receive the higher finishing position. During regular play, if two or more players are eliminated at separate tables, they will be assigned a finishing place based on the order of his/her elimination. In the event it is impossible to determine the order of elimination, they will equally split the prizes involved.
2. During 'hand-for-hand' play, if two or more players are eliminated at separate tables, they will equally split the prizes involved.
31. CELL PHONE/HEADPHONES/EARPHONE:
-Cell phones or communication devices must be placed on vibrate mode while at the table during tournament play.
- Players may not talk on the phone while at the table. A player who wishes to answer or make a call must step away from the table and forfeit all hands while away from his/her seat.
- Any use of a communication device at the table shall result in an immediate penalty. Uses include, sending or checking text messages, answering or making phone calls or excessive viewing during play.
- The first offense of excessive viewing or failure to place the phone on vibrate mode shall result in a warning. A penalty shall incur thereafter.
- Repeat infractions of this rule shall result in progressive penalties including 'missed hand' penalties and disqualification from the event.
- Music listening devices (iPods, headphones) will be allowed during the tournament.
- Listening devices at the 'Final Table' will be at the discretion of the tournament manager.
32. BALANCING TABLES/BREAKING TABLES: To balance and consolidate tables, players will be moved from the big blind to the worst position (which is never the small blind). The table from which a player is moved will be specified by a predetermined procedure. Mohegan Sun reserves the right to alter the breaking order due to unusual circumstances. Players going from a broken table to fill in seats assume the rights and responsibilities of that position; they can get the big blind, the small blind or the button. The only position they may not have is between the small blind and the button. Play may be stopped on any table which is three or more players short of any other table in the event. In stud games, players will be moved by position, (the last seat open at a short table is the seat to be filled). Once a tournament has reached 12 tables or less, the remaining tables will be balanced within one player until the final table is reached.
33. MOVING PLAYERS
- All players moving will be required to move immediately following folding from the hand or at the end of their play.
- Players will be required to rack their chips and may be escorted to their new table and seat. Any player found not using a rack to transport chips will be warned on the first offense, a penalty may be issued to repeat offenders.
- A dead button may come into play.
- Players may be escorted to and from tables by tournament staff.
- When 5,000 tournament chips or higher are in use, tournament staff will monitor the movement of players and chips. Players when moving may be escorted by tournament staff.
34. RE-DRAW: Redraw for tables and seats may take place once the event has reached 27, 18 and the final table of 10. Major events with more than 150 players will have re-draws when play reaches three tables, and again at two tables, then for the final table. All events will have a redraw once the event has reached a final table. All redraws are at the discretion of the tournament manager.
35. END OF THE DAY: Ten minutes prior to the end of a day's play for any event, a random card will be drawn to determine how many additional hands will be played. Playing cards Ace-9 (1-9 hands) will be used and a random player will be asked to pick a card which will be placed face down on the table. All tables will complete the drawn number of hands to finish that day's event.
36. PLAYING THE BOARD: A player must show both cards when playing the board in order to get part of the pot.
37. LATE ENTRANTS: Players which enter a tournament after it has started will have the equivalent of the big and small blind taken for every level of the tournament that has expired. All missed blinds which are removed from a new stack of chips will be placed into the next pot as 'Dead Money.'
38. PLAYING IN MULTIPLE EVENTS: Any player registering for multiple events and who makes day two or the final table of a particular event, may transfer his or her buy-in for the subsequent event to another event, or may also receive a refund, upon request, provided that the transfer or refund is approved and initiated prior to the beginning of the event from which a transfer or refund is being requested. Players are responsible for checking their tournament entry receipts before they leave the registration window. All changes must be made before the start of any event.
39. CALLING FOR CLOCK PROCEDURES: Once a reasonable amount of time has passed and a clock is called for, a player will be given one minute to make a decision. If action has not been taken by the time the minute is over, there will be a 10-second countdown. If a player has not acted on his hand by the time the countdown is over, the player's hand will be dead. The only person that can call for the clock is a player at the table or the tournament manager.
40. CHANGING DECKS: Deck changes will be on the dealer push or level changes or as prescribed by the house. Players may not ask for deck changes.
41. UNPROTECTED HAND: If a dealer kills an unprotected hand, the player will have no redress and will NOT be entitled to their money back. An exception would be if a player raised and had not been called yet. In this case, the player would be entitled to receive their raise amount back. A dealer cannot kill a winning hand that was turned face up and was obviously the winning hand. Cards speak. Any money in the pot is the property of the pot and will not be returned to the player.
42. RABBIT HUNTING: No rabbit hunting is allowed.
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 are moved by position (the last seat to open at the short table is the seat filled).
Poker Tournament Director Rules
Casino Poker Tournament Rules How To Play
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 TD’s discretion tables will be more tightly balanced.