Rules

House Rules

TEXAS HOLD’EM HOUSE RULES

Here are some basic house rules the game will run by:

Management always has the final say in rulings.

Players will draw for seats at the beginning of each tournament and will be moved as required by management when merging tables. Once tickets are drawn and seat is designated, NO changes can be made. Absolutely NO swapping tickets to be on a different table.

If a player is required to move to balance tables, the big blind in the next hand will be the one moved. The player to the left of the player that was moved off of the table is then required to post the big blind.

If a Table is being moved, cards will be dealt face up with the highest card moving to the first space etc.

The player to the left of the dealer shuffles and the player to the right of the dealer always cut’s.

Cards must always be cut onto the cut card provided which must remain at the bottom of the deck until the hand is over. A cut of the deck must be no less than 3 cards at the top or bottom of the deck.

During the deal, if any card goes off of the table, it is a miss-deal.

During a deal, if any card becomes exposed and is seen by another player at the table, it is a miss-deal.

During a deal, if a card is accidentally entirely flipped over by the dealer whilst being dealt, the deal continues around the table in turn until completed. The next card on the deck is then given to the player who had the card flip over on them. The flipped over card then becomes the burn card for that hands flop.

Burn and turn at the same time. Do NOT deal the flop and then burn the next card (leaving the turn card exposed).

If the dealer burns and turns the flop prematurely, the burn card stays the same and the 3rd, 4th and 5th cards from the bottom of the deck become the new flop.

If the dealer burns and turns the turn or river prematurely, the burn card stays the same and the 3rd card from the bottom of the deck becomes the turn/river.

In the event that the player on the small blind is eliminated, the button moves to the empty seat and becomes a “dead button”. The next two players in turn post the blinds as normal. No player at the table should miss putting in a small AND big blind in turn.

In the event that the player on the big blind is eliminated, the next hand will have a big blind only.

A player cannot be dealt into a hand if they join the table on the button or the small blind. They have to wait until the button passes them before they can be dealt a hand.

Acting out of turn is not allowed and is taken as a “moody”.

If you bet/raise/check before it is your turn to act, your initial action stands.

If a player announces bet/raise, it is not correct to pass your cards before that player has announced how much their bet/raise is. Your folding could in turn make the player to your left fold etc. The bettor/raiser has then gotten information on what is going to happen and his/her bet/raise could change accordingly.

Folding pre-flop on the big blind is considered a fold. If you forget that you are on the big blind and you fold your hand – it remains folded.

If you are one of two players left in a pot and you throw your cards into the muck then your hand is considered dead. The pot will be awarded to the last player to have not folded/mucked their hand whether it was winning or not.

It is your responsibility to protect your cards whilst in a pot. If they are mistakenly thrown in the muck by you or accidentally taken by the dealer, your hand is dead. PROTECT YOUR HAND!!

If you say “call and raise” it is taken as just a call. No string bets are allowed.

All bets/raises should be announced before the chips go into the pot. No throwing chips in without announcing what you are intending to do.

All verbal declarations are final. If you announce “All in” or “Raise Pot” etc, you must carry out the action!

Show one show all, cards and people. The showing all cards rule does not apply if there is no showdown.

Showing your cards when someone else is yet to act is a fold.

If you are not in the hand, do not comment about the hand.

A clock can be requested by any player in the hand, the clocked player then has 30 seconds to act. A decision must then be made by the clocked player.

Splashing the pot is not allowed and is considered inappropriate. Other players in the hand need to see how much you are betting/raising and can’t tell if you splash the pot.

You must show both of your cards to be eligible to win any portion of the pot. The cards speak for themselves.

Keep cards and chips visible and on the table at all times.

Largest denomination chips should be visible to all players and should not be hidden behind larger stacks of smaller denominations.

A player is allowed to request a chip count from any player in the hand during his/her turn.

In the event of a break, all chips MUST remain at the table – do NOT remove chips from the table.

Heads up play: Small Blind is ALWAYS the dealer button. In the event that one of the last 2 players has to put in the big blind twice, then they have to put it in twice.

It is the players’ responsibility to call out violations of the rules at which time management will make a ruling.

The proper time to draw attention to an error or irregularity is when it occurs or is first noticed. Any delay may affect the ruling.

If an incorrect rule interpretation or decision is made in good faith, there shall be no liability incurred by the decision-maker.

Absent players (players expecting to turn up late) can have their blinds put in for them until the first blind raise. Once the first blind raise has passed, all chips being played for absent players are forfeited. Someone on the table should put the chips in for the absent player when the absent player is to post the blinds. Play continues as normal. When it is the absent player’s turn to bet/check, their hand should be folded. No-one should look at or play the absent player’s hand.

Toilet breaks or visits to the bar can easily be accommodated. The player leaving the table is dealt in to each hand and immediately folded if they have not returned by the time it is their turn to play. Someone at the table should post the blinds for the absent player. No-one should look at or play the absent player’s hand.