3: Official Terminology and Gestures 8: Alternates, Late Registration, Re-Entries

POKER TOURNAMENT
Official betting terms are simple, unmistakable, A: Alternates, players registering late, and re-
DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION time-honored declarations like bet, raise, call, entries will be sold full stacks. They will
fold, check, all-in, complete, and pot (pot-limit randomly draw a seat and table by the same
2022 Rules Version 1.0, Sept 17, 2022 only). Regional terms may also meet this test. process and from the same seat pool then in
(For Recommended Procedures and Illustration Also, players must use gestures with caution place for new players and are dealt in except
Addendum, see longform version at TDA website) when facing action; tapping the table is a check. between the small blind and button.
It is the responsibility of players to make their
The Poker TDA is a voluntary poker industry intentions clear: using non-standard terms or B: In re-entry events, if a player is permitted to
association founded in 2001. The TDA mission gestures is at player’s risk and may result in a forfeit chips and buy a new stack, the forfeited
is to increase global uniformity of poker ruling other than what the player intended. See chips will be removed from play.
tournament rules. TDA rules supplement the also Rules 2 & 42.
rules of this house. In case of conflict with a 9: Special Needs
gaming agency, the agency rules will apply. 4: Player Identity Accommodations for players with special needs
Clothing or other accoutrements must not will be made when possible.
continuously obscure player identity or become
General Concepts a distraction to the game. House standards will 10: Breaking Tables
apply in the sole judgment of the TD. A: New players entering the tournament and
1: Floor Decisions players from broken tables can get any seat
The best interest of the game and fairness are 5: Electronic Devices and Communication including the small or big blind or the button and
top priorities in decision-making. Unusual Players may not talk on a phone at the table. be dealt in except between the SB and button.
circumstances occasionally dictate that Ring tones, music, images, video etc. should be
common-sense decisions in the interest of inaudible and non-disturbing to others. Betting B: Players from a broken table will be assigned
fairness take priority over technical rules. Floor apps and charts may not be used by players new tables and seats by a 2-step random
decisions are final. with live hands. These and other devices, tools, process. See Illustration Addendum.
photography, videography, and communication
2: Player Responsibilities must not create a nuisance, delay the game or 11: Balancing Tables and Halting Play
Players should verify registration data and seat create competitive advantage and are subject to A: To balance in flop & mixed-games, the
assignments, verify they’re dealt the correct house and gaming regulations. Violations of this player to be big blind next moves to the worst
number of cards before SA occurs, protect their paragraph are subject to penalties in Rule 71. position, including single big blind if available,
hands, make their intentions clear, follow the even if that means the seat is big blind twice.
action, act in turn with proper terminology and 6: Official Language Worst position is never the small blind. In stud-
gestures, defend their right to act, keep cards The house will clearly post and announce only, players move by position (last seat open
visible and chips correctly stacked, remain at acceptable language(s) at the table. at the short table is the seat filled).
the table with a live hand, table all cards
properly when competing at showdown, speak
up if they see a mistake, play in a timely Seating, Breaking & Balancing Tables B: In mixed games (ex: HORSE), when the
game shifts from hold’em to stud, after the last
manner, call for a clock when warranted, hold’em hand the button moves to the position it
transfer tables promptly, follow one player to a 7: Random Correct Seating
Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly would be if the next hand was hold’em and is
hand, know and comply with the rules, practice frozen there during stud. The player moved in
proper etiquette, inform the house if they see or assigned. A player starting in a wrong seat with
a correct chip stack will move to the correct seat stud is the player who would be big blind if the
experience discriminatory or offensive behavior, game were hold’em for that hand. Shifting to
and generally contribute to an orderly event with his or her current total chip stack.
hold'em the button starts where it was frozen.
where all players feel welcome.
C: The table from which a player is moved will 14: Live Cards at Showdown button in flop games, high hand showing in
be specified by a predetermined procedure. Discarding non-tabled cards face down does stud, low hand in razz, etc.).
not automatically kill them; players may change
D: Play will halt on tables 3 or more players their minds and table cards that remain 100% B: A non all-in showdown is uncontested if all
short (by elimination) than the table with the identifiable and retrievable. Cards are killed by but one player mucks face down without tabling.
most players once the blinds are impacted (See the dealer when pushed into the muck or The last player with live cards wins and is not
Illustration Addendum). Play halts on other otherwise rendered irretrievable and required to table the cards.
formats (ex: 6-hand and turbos) at TDs unidentifiable.
discretion. TDs may waive halting play and 18: Asking to See a Hand
waiver is not a misdeal. As the event 15: Showdown and Discarding Irregularities A: Players not still in possession of cards at
progresses, at TD’s discretion tables should be A: If a player tables one card that would make a showdown, or who have mucked their cards
more tightly balanced. winning hand, the dealer should advise the face down without tabling, lose any rights or
player to table all cards. If the player refuses, privileges to ask to see any hand.
Pots / Showdown the floor should be called.
B: If there was a river bet, any caller has an
12: Declarations. Cards Speak at Showdown B: If a player bets then discards thinking he or inalienable right to have the last aggressor’s
Cards speak to determine the winner. Verbal she has won (forgetting another player is still in hand tabled on request (“the hand they paid
declarations of hand value are not binding at the hand), the dealer should hold the cards and to see”) provided the caller tabled or retains
showdown but deliberately miscalling a hand call the floor (a Rule 58 exception). If cards are his or her cards. TDs discretion governs all
may be penalized. Dealers should read and mucked and not retrievable and identifiable to other requests such as to see the hand of
announce hand values at showdown. Any 100% certainty, the player is out and not another caller, or if there was no river bet.
player, in the hand or not, should speak up if he entitled to a refund of called bets. If cards are See Illustration Addendum [adopted 2013].
or she thinks a mistake is made in reading mucked and the player initiated a bet or raise
hands or calculating and awarding the pot. not yet called, the uncalled amount will be 19: Playing the Board at Showdown
returned. To play the board, players must table all hole
13: Tabling Cards & Killing Winning Hand cards to get part of the pot (see Rule 13-A).
A: Proper tabling is both 1) turning all cards 16: Face Up for All-Ins
face up on the table and 2) allowing the dealer All hands will be tabled without delay once a 20: Awarding Odd Chips
and players to read the hand clearly. “All cards” player is all-in and all betting action by all other First, odd chips will be broken into the smallest
means both hole cards in hold’em, all 4 hole players in the hand is complete. No player who denomination in play. A) Board games with 2 or
cards in Omaha, all 7 cards in 7-stud, etc. is either all-in or has called all betting action more high or low hands: the odd chip goes to
may muck his or her hand without tabling. All the first seat left of the button. B) Stud, razz,
B: At showdown players must protect their hands in both the main and side pot(s) must be and if 2 or more high or low hands in stud/8: the
hands while waiting for cards to be read (See tabled and are live. See Illustration Addendum. odd chip goes to the high card by suit in the
also Rule 65). Players who don’t fully table all player’s 5-card winning hand. C) H/L split: the
cards, then muck thinking they’ve won, do so at 17: Non All-In Showdowns, Showdown Order odd chip in the total pot goes to the high side.
their own risk. If a hand is not 100% retrievable A: In a non all-in showdown, if cards are not
and identifiable and the TD rules it was not spontaneously tabled or discarded, the TD may 21: Side Pots
clearly read, the player has no claim to the pot. enforce an order of show. The last aggressive Each side pot will be split separately.
The TDs decision on whether a hand was player on the final betting round (final street)
sufficiently tabled is final. must table first. If there was no final round bet, 22: Disputed Hands and Pots
the player who would act first in a final betting The reading of a tabled hand may be disputed
C: Dealers cannot kill a properly tabled hand round must table first (i.e. first seat left of the until the next hand begins (see Rule 23).
that was obviously the winner. Accounting errors in calculating and awarding
the pot may be disputed until substantial action value, players likely can’t either. on the initial deal. Players not then at their seats
occurs on the next hand. If a hand finishes may not look at their cards which are killed
during a break, the right to any dispute ends 1 B: TDs control the number and denominations immediately. Their posted blinds and antes
minute after the pot is awarded. of chips in play and may color up one or more forfeit to the pot and an absent player dealt the
players at their discretion at any time. stud bring-in card posts the bring-in. “At your
General Procedures Discretionary color ups are to be announced. seat” means in reach of your chair. This rule is
not intended to encourage players to be out of
23: New Hand & New Limits C: Players must keep live hands in plain view at their seats while in a hand.
A new level starts on announcement after the all times.
clock reaches zero. The new level applies to the 31: At the Table with Action Pending
next hand. Hands begin on the first riffle, push 26: Deck Changes Players with live hands (including players all-in
of the shuffler button, or on the dealer push. If a Deck changes will be on the dealer push or or otherwise finished betting) must remain at
hand starts at the prior level by mistake, the level changes or as prescribed by the house. the table for all betting rounds and showdown.
hand will continue at the prior level after SA Players may not ask for deck changes. Leaving the table is incompatible with protecting
occurs (Rule 36). your hand and following the action and is
27: Re-buys subject to penalty.
24: Chip Race, Scheduled Color Ups Players may not miss a hand. Players declaring
A: At scheduled color-ups, chips will be raced intent to rebuy before a hand are playing chips Button / Blinds
off starting in seat 1, with a maximum of one behind and must make the re-buy.
chip awarded to a player. Players can’t be 32: Dead Button
raced out of play: a player losing his or her last 28: Rabbit Hunting Tournament play will use a dead button.
chip(s) in a race will get 1 chip of the lowest Rabbit hunting (revealing cards that would have
denomination still in play. come if the hand had not ended) is not allowed. 33: Dodging Blinds
Players who intentionally dodge any blind will
B: Players must have their chips fully visible 29: Calling for a Clock incur a penalty.
and are encouraged to witness the chip race. Players should act in a timely manner to
maintain a reasonable pace of the game. If in 34: Button in Heads-up
C: If after the race, a player still has chips of a TD’s judgement reasonable time has passed, Heads-up, the small blind is the button, is dealt
removed denomination, they will be exchanged he or she may call the clock or approve a clock the last card, and acts first pre-flop and last on
for current denominations only at equal value. request by any player in the event. Players all other betting rounds. Starting heads-up play,
Chips of removed denominations that do not must be at their seats to call for a clock (Rule the button may need to be adjusted to ensure
fully total at least the smallest denomination still 30). A player on the clock has up to 25 seconds no player has the big blind twice in a row.
in play will be removed without compensation. plus a 5 second countdown to act. If the player
faces a bet and time expires, the hand is dead;
if not facing a bet, the hand is checked. A tie Dealing Rules
25: Cards & Chips Kept Visible, Countable,
& Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups goes to the player. TDs may adjust the time
allowed and take other steps to fit the game and 35: Misdeals and Fouled Decks
A: Players, dealers, and the floor are entitled to A: Misdeals include but are not necessarily
a reasonable estimation of chip counts; thus, stop persistent delays. See also Rules 2 and 70
limited to: 1) 2 or more boxed cards on the
chips should be kept in countable stacks. The initial deal; 2) first card dealt to the wrong seat;
TDA recommends clean vertical stacks of 20 Player Present / Eligible for Hand 3) cards dealt to a seat not entitled to a hand; 4)
same denomination chips each as a standard. a seat entitled to a hand is dealt out; 5) the
Higher denomination chips must be visible and 30: At Your Seat and Live Hands wrong number of cards is dealt to any player
identifiable at all times. If a floorperson cannot To have a live hand, players must be at their (except Rule 37); 6) Before SA, a non-standard
look at a chipstack and quickly estimate its seats when the last card is dealt to all players
card for the game type is found (example: action if permitted for the game type. However, disordered stub (RP-4), extra draw or stud
jokers, 2-3-4-5 in short deck); 7) In flop games, if the button acts on a hand with too few cards cards (RP-10-H), etc.
if 1 of the first 2 cards dealt off the deck or any (by check or bet), the button’s hand is dead.
other 2 downcards are exposed by dealer error. Play: Bets & Raises
House rules apply for draw games (ex: lowball). 38: Burns After Substantial Action
The burn card is to protect the stub, not 40: Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips
B: Players may be dealt 2 consecutive cards on “preserve card order”. If SA occurs and a hand A: Bets are by verbal declaration and/or
the button (see also Rule 37). is killed due to the wrong number of cards, all pushing out chips. If a player does both,
cards of the killed hand are mucked and whichever is first defines the bet. If
C: In misdeals, the re-deal is an exact re-play: randomness applies to further dealing (See also simultaneous, a clear and reasonable verbal
the button does not move, no new players are RP-14 Randomness). The stub is treated as a declaration takes precedence, otherwise the
seated, and limits stay the same. Cards are normal stub and one and only one card is chips play. In unclear situations or where verbal
dealt to players on penalty or not at their seats burned off the stub for each subsequent street. and chips are contradictory, the TD will
for the original deal (Rule 30), then their hands The burn is always one card per street, never determine the bet based on the circumstances
are killed. The original deal and re-deal count more. See Illustration Addendum. and Rule 1. See Illustration Addendum. See
as one hand for a player on penalty, not two. also Rule 57.
39: Irregular Flops & Premature-Dealt Cards
D: Once substantial action occurs (see Rule 36) A: 4-Card Flops. If the flop has 4 rather than 3 B: Verbal declarations may be general (“call”,
a misdeal cannot be declared; the hand must cards, exposed or not, and regardless of “raise”), a specific amount only (“one thousand”)
proceed unless the deck is fouled. Non- whether the door card is presumed known, the or both (“raise, one thousand”).
standard cards found after SA are treated as floor will be called. The dealer then scrambles
scraps of paper (exception: fouled decks). the 4 cards face down, the floor randomly C: For all betting rules, declaring a specific
selects 1 as the next burn card and the other 3 amount only is the same as silently pushing out
E: Fouled decks. If 2 or more cards of the same are the flop (See also RP-14 Randomness). an equal amount. Ex: Declaring “two hundred”
suit and rank are found, the deck is fouled. is the same as silently pushing out 200 in chips.
Other fouled deck conditions may be defined by B: If there was no burn on a 3-card flop,
local gaming regulations and house policy. If a exposed or not and regardless of whether the 41: Methods of Calling
fouled deck is discovered, regardless of SA, door card is presumed known, if no action has Standard and acceptable forms of calling
play will stop and all bets will be returned. Once occurred, the 3 cards are scrambled face down, include: A) saying “call”; B) pushing out chips
a hand concludes, the right to dispute based on one chosen as the burn. The flop will be the equal to a call; C) silently pushing out an
a fouled deck ends according to Rule 22. other 2 cards plus the next card off the stub. If overchip; or D) silently pushing out multiple
any action (even one check) has occurred, play chips equal to a call under the multi-chip rule
36: Substantial Action (SA) proceeds with the initial 3 cards. Only one card (Rule 45). Silently betting chip(s) relatively tiny
Substantial Action is either A) any 2 actions in is burned for the turn. to the bet (ex: blinds 2k-4k. A bets 50k, B then
turn, at least one of which puts chips in the pot silently puts out one 1k chip) is non-standard,
(i.e. any 2 actions except 2 checks or 2 folds) or C: For prematurely dealt cards, see strongly discouraged, subject to penalty, and
B) any combination of 3 actions in turn (check, Recommended Procedure 5. will be interpreted at TDs discretion, including
bet, raise, call, fold). Posted blinds do not count being ruled a full call.
towards SA. See Rules 35-D & 53-B. D: Reshuffling During a Hand. To protect game
integrity, anytime the stub must be re-shuffled 42: Methods of Raising
37: Button with Too Few Cards during the play of a hand, the cards must be In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by
A player on the button dealt too few cards shuffled face-down and unexposed. Examples A) pushing out the full amount in one motion; B)
should announce it immediately. Missing button include premature cards (Rule 39 and RP-5), verbally declaring the full amount prior to
cards may be replaced even after substantial pushing out chips. It is the responsibility of
players to make their intentions clear. Note: 2- than the 1100 call amount. Ex-2: NLHE 25-50. B: In limit, at least 50% of a full bet or raise is
motion raises eliminated in 2019. Post-flop A opens for 1050 and B puts out his required to re-open betting for players who have
last chips (two 1000’s). B calls unless raise or already acted. See Illustration Addendum.
43: Raise Amounts all-in was first declared.
A: A raise must be at least equal to the largest 48: Number of Allowable Raises
prior full bet or raise of the current betting B: If every chip is not needed to make the call; There is no cap on the number of raises in no-
round. A player who raises 50% or more of the i.e. removing just one of the smallest chips limit and pot-limit. In limit play, there is a limit to
largest prior bet but less than a minimum raise leaves the call amount or more: 1) if the player raises even when heads-up until the event is
must make a full minimum raise. If less than has chips remaining, the 50% standard in Rule down to 2 players; the house limit applies.
50% it is a call unless “raise” is first declared or 43 governs the bet. 2) A bet of a player’s last
the player is all-in (Rule 45-B). Declaring an chip(s) is an all-in bet whether reaching the 49: Accepted Action
amount or pushing out the same amount of 50% threshold or not. See Addendum. Poker is a game of alert, continuous
chips is treated the same (Rule 40-C). Ex: observation. It is the caller’s responsibility to
NLHE, opening bet is 1000, verbally declaring 46: Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In determine the correct amount of an opponent’s
“Fourteen hundred” or silently pushing out 1400 A: To avoid confusion, players with prior-bet bet before calling, regardless of what is stated
in chips are both calls unless raise is first chips not yet pulled in who face a raise should by others. If a caller requests a count but
declared. See Illustration Addendum. verbalize their action before adding chips to the receives incorrect information from a dealer or
prior bet. player, then pushes out that amount or declares
B: Without other clarifying information, declaring call, the caller has accepted the full correct
raise and an amount is the total bet. Ex: A B: If facing a raise, clearly pulling back a prior action & is subject to the correct wager or all-in
opens for 2000, B declares “Raise, eight bet chip binds a player to call or raise; he or she amount. As with all situations, Rule 1 may apply
thousand.” The total bet is 8000. may not put the chip(s) back out and fold. at TD’s discretion. See also RP-12.

44: Oversized Chip Betting (Overchips) C: If new chip(s) are added silently and the bet 50: Acting in Turn
If facing a bet or blind, pushing out a single is unclear to the house, the call and raise rules A: Players must act in turn verbally and/or by
oversized chip (including your last chip) is a call 41-45 apply as follows: 1) If prior chips don’t pushing out chips. Action in turn is binding and
if raise isn’t first declared. To raise with an cover the call AND are either left alone OR fully commits chips to the pot that stay in the pot.
overchip you must declare raise before the chip pulled back, an overchip is a call and multiple
hits the table surface. If raise is declared but no new chips are subject to the 50% raise standard B: Players must wait for clear bet amounts
amount is stated, the raise is the maximum (Rule 43). 2) If prior chips are partly pulled back before acting. Ex: NLHE, A says “raise” (but no
allowable for the chip. If not facing a bet, OR if prior chips cover the call, the combined amount), and B quickly folds. B should wait to
pushing out an overchip silently (no declaration) final chip bet is a raise if reaching the 50% act until A’s raise amount is clear.
is a bet of the maximum for the chip. standard (Rules 43 & 45), if less it is a call. See
Illustration Addendum. 51: Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn
45: Multiple Chip Betting A: General verbal declarations in turn (such as
A: If facing a bet, unless raise or all-in is 47: Re-Opening the Bet. “call” or “raise”) commit a player to the full
declared first, a multiple-chip bet (including a A: In no-limit and pot limit, an all-in wager (or current action. See Illustration Addendum
bet of your last chips) is a call if every chip is cumulative multiple short all-ins) totaling less
needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one than a full bet or raise will not reopen betting for B: A player undercalls by declaring or pushing
of the smallest chips leaves less than the call players who have already acted and are not out less than the call amount without first
amount. Ex-1: Player A opens for 400: B raises facing at least a full bet or raise when the action declaring “call”. An undercall is a mandatory full
to 1100 total (a 700 raise), C puts out one 500 returns to them. If multiple short all-ins re-open call if made in turn facing 1) any bet heads-up
and one 1000 chip silently. This is a call the betting, the minimum raise is always the last or 2) the opening bet on any round multi-way. In
because removing the 500 chip leaves less full valid bet or raise of the round (See Rule 43). other situations, TD’s discretion applies. The
opening bet is the first chip bet of each betting or raise is returned to the OOT player who has intended. Also, if a declared bet can legally
round (not a check). In blind games the posted all options: call, raise, or fold. An OOT fold is have multiple meanings, it will be ruled the
BB is the pre-flop opener. All-in buttons reduce binding. See Illustration Addendum. highest reasonable amount that is less than or
undercall frequency (See Recommended equal to the pot size* before the bet. Ex: NLHE
Procedure 1). This rule governs when players B: Players skipped by OOT action must defend 200-400, the pot totals less than 5000, player
must make a full call and when, at TDs their right to act. If a skipped player had declares “I bet five.” With no other clarifying
discretion they may forfeit the amount of the reasonable time and does not speak up before information, the bet is 500; if the pot totals 5000
intended undercall and fold (see Illustration substantial action (Rule 36) OOT occurs after or more, the bet is 5000. *The pot is the total of
Addendum). For underbets and underraises, the player, the OOT action is binding. Action all prior bets including any bets in front of a
see Rule 52. backs up and the floor will rule on how to treat player not yet pulled in. See Rules 2, 3, 40 & 42
the skipped hand given the circumstances,
C: If two or more undercalls occur in sequence, including ruling the hand dead or limiting the 58: Non-Standard Folds
play backs up to the first undercaller who must player to non-aggressive action. See Any time before the end of the final betting
correct his or her bet per Rule 51-B. The TD will Addendum. round, folding in turn if there’s no bet to you (ex:
determine how to treat hands of the remaining facing a check or first to act post-flop) or folding
bettors based on the circumstances. 54: Pot Size & Pot-Limit Bets out of turn are binding folds subject to penalty.
A: Players are entitled to a pot count in pot-limit See also 15-B.
52: Incorrect Bets, Underbets & Underraises only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and
A: In limit and no-limit, opening or raising less no-limit. 59: Conditional & Premature Declarations
than the minimum legal amount is corrected A: Conditional statements of future action are
anywhere on the current street (if on the river B: Pre-flop a short all-in blind will not affect non-standard and strongly discouraged. At TDs
any time before showdown starts). Ex: NLHE calculation of the maximum pot limit bet. Post- discretion they may be binding and/or
100-200, post-flop A opens for 600 and B raises flop, bets are based on actual pot size. penalized. Example: “if – then” statements such
to 1000 (a 200 underraise). C and D call, E as "If you bet, I will raise.”
folds then the error is noticed. Increase the bet C: Declaring “I bet the pot” is not a valid bet in
to 1200 total for all bettors any time before the no-limit but it does bind the player to making a B: If Player A declares “bet” or “raise” and B
turn is dealt. After the turn the error stands. For valid bet (at least a minimum bet) and may be calls before A’s exact bet amount is known, the
undercalls, see Rule 51. subject to penalty. Players facing a bet must TD will rule the bet as best fits the situation
make a valid raise. including possibly obliging B to call any amount.
B: In pot limit, if a player underbets the pot
based on an inaccurate count, if the pot count is 55: Invalid Bet Declarations 60: Count of Opponent’s Chip Stack
too high (an illegal bet), it will be corrected for If a player faces no bet and: A) declares “call”, it Players, dealers, and the floor are entitled to a
all players anywhere on the current street; if too is a check; B) declares “raise”, the player must reasonable estimation of opponents’ chip stacks
low, corrected until substantial action occurs make at least a minimum bet. A player (Rule 25). A player may request a more precise
after the bet. See Illustration Addendum. declaring “check” when facing a bet may call or count only if facing an all-in bet and it is his or
fold, but cannot raise. her turn to act. The all-in player is not required
53: Action Out of Turn (OOT) to count; on request the dealer or floor will
A: Any action out of turn (check, call, or raise) 56: String Bets and Raises count it. Accepted action applies (Rule 49).
will be backed up to the correct player in order. Dealers will call string bets and raises. Visible and countable chip stacks (Rule 25)
The OOT action is subject to penalty and is greatly improve counting accuracy.
binding if action to the OOT player does not 57: Non-Standard & Unclear Betting
change. A check, call or fold by the correct Players use unofficial betting terms and 61: Over-Betting Expecting Change
player does not change action. If action gestures at their own risk. These may be Betting should not be used to obtain change.
changes, the OOT action is not binding; any bet interpreted to mean other than what the player Pushing out more than the intended bet can
confuse everyone at the table. All chips pushed 66: Dead Hands and Mucking in Stud abusive conduct, offensive hygiene, and
out silently are at risk of being counted in the In stud poker, if a player picks up the upcards excessive chatter.
bet. Ex: the opening bet is 325 to player A who while facing action, the hand is dead. Proper
silently puts out 525 (one 500 and one 25), mucking in stud is turning down all up cards and 71: Warnings, Penalties, & Disqualification
expecting 200 change. This is a raise to 650 pushing them all forward face down. A: Enforcement options include but are not
under the multiple chip rule (Rule 45). limited to verbal warnings, one or more “missed
Etiquette & Penalties hand” or “missed round” penalties, and
62: All-In with Chips Found Behind Later disqualification. For missed rounds, the offender
If A bets all-in and a hidden chip is found behind 67: No Disclosure. One Player to a Hand will miss one hand for every player (including
after a player calls, the TD will determine if the Players must protect other players in the him or her) at the table when the penalty is
chip behind is part of accepted action (Rule 49). tournament at all times. Therefore players, given multiplied by the number of penalty
If not part of the action, A is not paid off for the whether in the hand or not, must not: rounds. Repeat infractions are subject to
chip(s) if he or she wins. If A loses, he or she is 1. Discuss contents of live or mucked escalating penalties. Players away from the
not saved by the chip(s) and the TD may award hands, table or on penalty may be anted or blinded out
the chip(s) to the winning caller. 2. Advise or criticize play at any time, of a tournament.
3. Read a hand that hasn't been tabled.
Play: Other One-player-to-a-hand is in effect. Among other B: A penalty may be invoked for etiquette
things, this rule prohibits showing a hand to or violations (Rule 70), card exposure with action
63: Chips Out of View and in Transit discussing strategy with another player, advisor, pending, throwing cards, violating one-player-
Players may not hold or transport chips in a way or spectator. to-a-hand, or similar incidents. Penalties will be
that takes them out of view. A player who does given for soft play, abuse, disruptive behavior,
so will forfeit the chips and may be disqualified. 68: Exposing Cards and Proper Folding or cheating. Checking the exclusive nuts when
The forfeited chips will be taken out of play. The Exposing cards with action pending, including last to act on the river is not an automatic soft
TDA recommends the house provide racks or the current player when last to act, may result in play violation; TD’s discretion applies based on
bags to transport chips when needed. a penalty but not a dead hand. Any penalty the situation.
begins at the end of the hand. When folding,
64: Lost and Found Chips cards should be pushed forward low to the C: Players on penalty must be away from the
Lost and found chips for which ownership table, not deliberately exposed or tossed high table. Cards are dealt to their seats, their blinds
cannot be determined will be taken out of play (“helicoptered”). See Rule 66. and antes posted, their hands are killed after
and returned to tournament inventory. the initial deal, and if dealt the stud bring-in they
69: Ethical Play must post the bring-in.
65: Accidentally Killed / Fouled / Exposed Hands Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result
A: Players must protect their hands at all times, in penalties, which may include chip forfeiture D: Chips of a disqualified player shall be
including at showdown while waiting for hands and/or disqualification. Chip dumping and other removed from play.
to be read. If the dealer kills a hand by mistake forms of collusion will result in disqualification.
or if in TDs judgement a hand is fouled and
cannot be identified to 100% certainty, the 70: Etiquette Violations TDA Recommended Procedures and
player has no redress and is not entitled to a Etiquette violations are subject to enforcement Illustration Addendum: See all longform
refund of called bets. If the player initiated a bet actions in Rule 71. Examples include but are versions of the TDA Rules at the website:
or raise and hasn’t been called, the uncalled not limited to: persistent delay of the game, http://www.PokerTDA.com
amount will be returned. unnecessarily touching another player’s person,
cards or chips, repeatedly acting out of turn,
B: If a hand is fouled but can be identified, it maintaining poor card or chip visibility and
remains in play despite any cards exposed. countability, betting out of reach of the dealer,