1. All Players must be registered members of the National Pub Poker League.
2. Minimum age to play is 18. Each location reserves the right to set the minimum age requirement.
3. Players will all start with 5000 in chips. (2x50's, 4x100's, 3x500's, 3x 1000's) Blinds will rise according to the blind schedule. The NPPL reserves the right to change the blind schedule due to venue time restraints.
4. All NPPL satellite tournaments are Freeze Out format No-Limit Texas Hold'em
5. If there are more players than seats at the tables there will be a waiting list. New players can come in through the first and second blind and BEFORE the 3rd blind raise (in the first hour). Waiting list or late players will join the tables with a reduced number of chips. If seated after the official starting time, but before the beginning of the first blind change, any late arrival or waiting list player will start with 4900 chips. If seated after the first blind change, but before the second blind change. They will receive 4400 chips. If seated after the beginning of the second blind change and before the third, they will be given 4000 chips. After that point there will be no new players seated for that session. If you have only a few reserves it is permissible to place 9 players on a table.
6. Once players have lost all the chips they started with, they cannot re-buy and reseat (except in NSW games.)
7. During the breaks, the floor person will color up, by removing the lower denominations chips. Any odd number amount of chips will be rounded up to speed up play.
8. To determine the first dealer position of each table, cards will be spread face down and each player will draw one card. The player with the highest valued card will start the deal. In the event that two or more player draw the same valued card, those players will redraw until one card value is higher than the other.
9. The deal will rotate clockwise.
10. Player's are required to post their blinds. When a player is absent from the table for any reason, their blind will be posted by the current dealer from the absent players stack, hand is folded if player absent.
11. The small blind is posted by the player immediately to the left of the dealer, except when heads up when the button will be small blind. The big blind is posted by the player two seats to the left of the dealer, except when heads up.
12. The acting dealer must shuffle the deck at least three times. The player to the right of the dealer will make the cut.
13. If either of the first hole cards dealt to player 1 or 2 is exposed, a misdeal results. The dealer will retrieve the card/s, reshuffle, and re-cut 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 pre-flop burn card. If more than one hole card is exposed, this is a misdeal and there must be a re-deal. The dealer is not permitted to presort the cards. All remaining cards are to stay on top of the deck until all betting is done. The dealer will burn one card and turn the three flop cards. Once again no cards are to be taken from the top of the deck until all betting is done. At this point the dealer will burn a card and expose the turn card. Same applies prior to river card.
14. New players to a table must take a hand, unless the seat they are taking will be the small blind or the dealer position. In these situations the player must wait for the dealer button to pass.
15. The dead button rule applies. This means that whoever had the small blind the previous hand will receive the button regardless of whether or not the player is still at the table.
16. If the flop is prematurely exposed, the board cards are returned to the remainder of the deck, reshuffled, re-cut, and dealt out in the normal sequence. The burn card stays on the table. If the turn card is prematurely exposed, the dealer burns again and deals what would have been the river card in the turn cards place. The card that was exposed is then reshuffled into the remainder of the deck and the river card is dealt without a burn card (as there have already been two burn cards).
17. When two players are left at the table the dealer will always be small blind.
18. When a player is absent, the dealer will always deal the absent player in. A dealer is instructed to kill the hands of all absent players immediately after dealing each player a starting hand.
(The dealer will always deal to the chips not the players)
19. If a player does not have enough chips to call a bet or place a blind, that player can go All In. If this occurs, the other players with chips left will continue the hand and bet into a side pot.
20. The minimum bet size is the amount of the minimum bring-in, unless the player is going all-in. The minimum bring-in is the size of the big blind unless the structure of the game is preset by the house to some other amount (such as double the big blind). The minimum bet remains the same amount on all betting rounds. If the big blind does not have sufficient chips to post the required amount, a player who enters the pot on the initial betting round is still required to enter for at least the minimum bet (unless going all-in for a lesser sum) and a preflop raiser must at least double the size of the big blind. At all other times, when someone goes all-in for less than the minimum bet, a player has the option of just calling the all-in amount. If a player goes all-in for an amount that is less than the minimum bet, a player who wishes to raise must raise at least the amount of the minimum bet. For example, if the minimum bet is $100, and a player goes all-in on the flop for $20, a player may fold, call $20, or raise to at least a total of $120.
21. When a player goes All In and the bet is called by one player the remaining player will turn cards face up for the showdown and continue the hand.
22. Once a player has lost all his/her chips they are required to leave the table if the seat is needed.
23. If two or more players are eliminated on the same hand, the player with most chips at the start of the hand will finish in the higher position.
24. The dealer is responsible for placing the burn cards and muck cards in the muck pile. If at any time a player's hand is either accidentally or purposely thrown in the muck pile the cards are dead and cannot be played in that hand.
25. No one can turn over any of the burn or muck cards at any time during the hand.
26. Chips are to remain on the table at all times unless the player is being moved to another table.
27. Cards must remain above the table at all times.
28. Any advice on a hand must come from the Floor Person. No other players may give advice on how to play a hand.
29. Please adhere to all poker etiquette. This includes splashing the pot, information about your hand, and string bets.
30. The only player that may touch the chips in the pot is the acting dealer. If you need to make change from the pot, state your intentions and get permission from the acting dealer.
31. All bets and raises must be equal to or greater than the previous bet or raise for that betting round (bet OR raise, they are two different rules of play).
32. Any inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. The floor person reserves the right to ask any player to leave the table and tournament. The hosting establishment always reserves the right to ask anyone to leave their place of business at any time.
33. The NPPL reserves the right to cancel, change, or alter the event at any time.
34. At NO time, at any NPPL event, is currency of any kind allowed on the poker table, this in direct violation of provincial and Commonwealth laws. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the tournament.
35. The tournament Floor Person has final decision on all disputes.

Players participating in any tournament agree to abide by the rules and behave in a courteous manner. A violator may be verbally warned, suspended from play for a specific time, or disqualified from the tournament. Chips from a disqualified player will be removed from the table. Players whether they are in the hand or not, may not discuss the hands until the action is complete. Players are obligated to protect other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing discarded hands or hand possibilities is not allowed. A penalty may be given for discussion of hands during play.

Initial seating is determined by random draw or assignment.

A starting stack of chips may be placed in a seat to accommodate late entrants (so that all blinds have been appropriately paid). The used seat will have the chips removed at the discretion of the director. Ensures all tables are balanced in the first hour.

A no show or absent player is always dealt a hand. That player's stack will post blinds.

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. (A dealer is instructed to kill the hands of all absent players immediately after dealing each player a starting hand).

All players must leave their seat immediately after they are eliminated form the event.

If a entrant is absent at the start of play the host will make an effort to locate or contact the player. If a player requests the chips be left in place until their arrival then the request will be honoured provided the elapsed time is no longer than 1 hour. If a player has started a game, does not return from a break and is unable to be contacted, their chips will be removed from the table once the blind level increases.

Players participating in NPPL tournaments are not permitted side bets and wagers. No money may be displayed on the table.

Private agreements by remaining players in an event regarding the distribution of the prize pool are not encouraged. Any private agreement that excludes one or more active players is improper by definition.

Every tournament event must be played until completion.

1. In button games, if it is discovered that the button was placed incorrectly on the previous hand, the button and blinds will be corrected for the new hand in a manner that gives every player one chance for each position on the round (if possible).
2. You must protect your own hand at all times. Your cards may be protected with your hands, a chip, or other object placed on top of them. If you fail to protect your hand, you will have no redress if it becomes fouled or the dealer accidentally kills it.
3. 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.
4. 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 (subject to next rule).
5. A player who knows the deck is defective has an obligation to point this out. If such a player instead tries to win a pot by taking aggressive action (trying for a freeroll), the player may lose the right to a refund, and the chips may be required to stay in the pot for the next deal.
6. If there is extra money in the pot on a deal as a result of forfeited money from the previous deal (as per rule #5), or some similar reason, only a player dealt in on the previous deal is entitled to a hand.
7. A card discovered face up in the deck (boxed card) will be treated as a meaningless scrap of paper. A card being treated as a scrap of paper will be replaced by the next card below it in the deck, except when the next card has already been dealt facedown to another player and mixed in with other down cards. In that case, the card that was face up in the deck will be replaced after all other cards are dealt for that round.
8. A joker that appears in a game where it is not used is treated as a scrap of paper. Discovery of a joker does not cause a misdeal. If the joker is discovered before a player acts on his or her hand, it is replaced as in the previous rule. If the player does not call attention to the joker before acting, then the player has a dead hand.
9. If you play a hand without looking at all of your cards, you assume the liability of having an irregular card or an improper joker.
10. One or more cards missing from the deck does not invalidate the results of a hand.
11. Before the first round of betting, if a dealer deals one additional card, it is returned to the deck and used as the burn card.
12. Procedure for an exposed card varies with the poker form, and is given in the section for each game. A card that is flashed by a dealer is treated as an exposed card. A card that is flashed by a player will play. To obtain a ruling on whether a card was exposed and should be replaced, a player should announce that the card was flashed or exposed before looking at it. A down card dealt off the table is an exposed card.
13. If a card is exposed due to dealer error, a player does not have an option to take or reject the card. The situation will be governed by the rules for the particular game being played.
14. If you drop a card on the floor out of your hand, you must still play that card.
15. If the dealer prematurely deals any cards before the betting is complete, those cards will not play, even if a player who has not acted decides to fold.

1. Check-raise is permitted in all games.
2. In no-limit unlimited raising is allowed.
3. Unlimited raising is allowed in heads-up play. This applies any time the action becomes heads-up before the raising has been capped. Once the raising is capped on a betting round. Betting can not be uncapped by a subsequent fold that leaves two players heads-up.
4. Any wager must be at least the size of the previous bet or raise in that round, unless a player is going all-in.
5. A verbal statement denotes your action and is binding. If in turn you verbally declare a fold, check, bet, call, or raise, you are forced to take that action.
6. Rapping the table with your hand is a pass.
7. Deliberately acting out of turn will not be tolerated. A player who checks out of turn may not bet or raise on the next turn to act. An action or verbal declaration out of turn may be ruled binding if there is no bet, call, or raise by an intervening player acting after the infraction has been committed. A player who has called out of turn may not change their wager to raise under nay circumstances.
8. To retain the right to act, a player must stop the action by calling "time" (or an equivalent word). Failure to stop the action before three or more players have acted behind you may cause you to lose the right to act. You cannot forfeit your right to act if any player in front of you has not acted, only if you fail to act when it legally becomes your turn. Therefore, if you wait for someone whose turn comes before you, and three or more players act behind you, this still does not hinder your right to act.
9. A player who bets or calls by releasing chips into the pot is bound by that action and must make the amount of the wager correct (This applies right before the showdown when putting chips into the pot causes the opponent to show the winning hand before the full amount needed to call has been placed in the pot. However, if you are unaware that the pot has been raised, you may withdraw that money and reconsider your action, provided that no one else has acted after you.
10. String raises are not allowed. To protect your right to raise, you should either declare your intention verbally or place the proper amount of chips into the pot. Putting a full bet plus a half-bet or more into the pot is considered to be the same as announcing a raise, and the raise must be completed. (This does not apply in the use of a single chip of greater value.)
11. If you put a single chip in the pot that is larger than the bet, but do not announce a raise, you are assumed to have only called. Example: In a $3-$6 game, when a player bets $6 and the next player puts a $25 chip in the pot without saying anything, that player has merely called the $6 bet.
12. All wagers and calls of an improperly low amount must be brought up to proper size if the error is discovered before the betting round has been completed. This includes actions such as betting a lower amount than the minimum bring-in (other than going all-in) and betting the lower limit on an upper limit betting round. If a wager is supposed to be made in a rounded off amount, is not, and must be corrected, it shall be changed to the proper amount nearest in size. No one who has acted may change a call to a raise because the wager size has been changed.

1. A player must show all cards in the hand face-up on the table to win any part of the pot.
2. Cards speak (cards read for themselves). The dealer assists in reading hands, but players are responsible for holding onto their cards until the winner is declared. Although verbal declarations as to the contents of a hand are not binding, deliberately miscalling a hand with the intent of causing another player to discard a winning hand is unethical and may result in forfeiture of the pot.
3. Any player, dealer, or floor person who sees an incorrect amount of chips put into the pot, or an error about to be made in awarding a pot, has an ethical obligation to point out the error. Please help us keep mistakes of this nature to a minimum.
4. The dealer will kill all losing hands before a pot is awarded.
5. Any player who has been dealt in (and is eligible to participate in the showdown) may request to see any hand that has been called, even if the opponent's hand or the winning hand has been mucked. However, this is a privilege that may be revoked if abused. If a player other than the pot winner asks to see a hand that has been folded, that hand is dead. If the winning player asks to see a losing player's hand, both hands are live, and the best hand wins.
6. Show one show all. Players are entitled to receive equal access to information about the contents of a another players hand. After a deal, if cards are shown to another player, every player at the table has a right to see those cards. During a deal, cards that were shown to an active player who might have a further wagering decision on that betting round must immediately be shown to all the other players. If the player who saw the cards is not involved in the hand or cannot use the information in wagering, the information should be withheld until betting is over, so it does not affect the normal outcome of the deal. Cards shown to person who has no more wagering decisions on that betting round, but might use the information on a later betting round, should be shown be shown to other players at the conclusion of the hand. If a portion of the hand has been shown, there is no requirement to show any of the unseen cards. The shown cards are treated as given in the preceding part of this rule.
7. If everyone checks (or is all-in) on the final betting round, the player who acted first is the first to show the hand. If there is wagering on the final betting round, the last player to take aggressive action by a bet or raise is the first to show the hand. In order to speed up the game, a player holding a probable winner is encouraged to show the hand without delay. If there is a side pot, players involved in the side pot should show their hands before anyone who is all-in for only the main pot.

1. Suits never break a tie for winning a pot.
2. Dealing a card to each player is used to determine things like who moves to another table. If the cards are dealt, the order is clockwise starting with the first player on the dealer's left (the button position is irrelevant). Drawing a card is used to determine things like who gets the button in a new game, or seating order coming from a broken game.
3. An odd chip will be broken down to the smallest unit used in the game.
4. No player may receive more than one odd chip.
5. If two or more hands tie, an odd chip will be awarded as follows:
   1. In a button game, the player closest to the dealer clock-wise(left of the dealer) from the button gets the odd chip.
   2. All side pots and the main pot will be split as separate pots, not mixed together.

In button games, a non-playing dealer normally does the actual dealing. A round disk called the button is used to indicate which player has the dealer position. The player with the button is last to receive cards on the initial deal and has the right of last action after the first betting round.

The button moves clockwise after a deal ends to rotate the advantage of last action. One or more blind bets are usually used to stimulate action and initiate play. Blinds are posted before the players look at their cards. Blinds are part of a player's bet.

With two blinds the small blind is posted by the player immediately clockwise from the button, and the big blind is posted by the player two positions clockwise from the button. With more than two blinds, the small blind is normally left of the button (not on it). Action is initiated on the first betting round by the first player to the left of the blinds. On all subsequent betting rounds, the action begins with the first active player to the left of the button.

1. Each round every player must get an opportunity for the button, and meet the total amount of the blind obligations. Either of the following methods of button and blind placement may be designated to do this:
   1. Moving button - The button always moves forward to the next player and the blinds adjust accordingly. There may be more than one big blind.
   2. Dead button - The big blind is posted by the player due for it, and the small blind and button are positioned accordingly, even if this means the small blind or the button is placed in front of an empty seat, giving the same player the privilege of last action on consecutive hands.
2. A player posting a blind in the games regular structure has the option of raising the pot at the first turn to act. Although chips posted by the big blind are considered a bet, this option to raise is retained if someone goes all in with a wager of less than the minimum rasie.
3. A new player entering the game has the following options:
   1. Wait for the big blind.
   2. Post an amount equal to the big blind and immediately be dealt a hand. (In lowball, a new player must either post an amount double the big blind or wait for the big blind.)
4. A new player cannot be dealt in between the big blind and the button. Blinds may not be made up between the big blind and the button. You must wait until the button passes. [See "Section 16 - Explanations," discussion #3, for more information on this rule.]
5. When you post the big blind, it serves as your opening bet. When it is your next turn to act, you have the option to raise.

All bets and raises must be equal to or greater than the previous raise for that betting round. E.g. a $550 bet following a $200 big blind would require a re-raise by $350 to a total of $900.

If the first or second hole card dealt is exposed, a misdeal results. The dealer will retrieve the card/s, 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 deal, the dealer replaces the card with the top card on the deck, and the exposed card is then used for the pre-flop burn card.

If more than one hole card is exposed, this is a misdeal and there must be a re-deal.

In order to be eligible for any part of a pot when there are two or more players in a hand, you are required to turn over both of your cards for showdown. The only time a player may muck his/her cards and win a pot occurs when all other players fold.

In a showdown, the cards speak for themselves. There is no such thing as calling your cards. The only time you are required to stick to what you say is your verbal actions during the game, e.g. call, fold, raise or All In.

Any cards that are accidentally or purposely thrown into the muck pile are considered dead and cannot be played.

At no point during a live hand may a player show his/her cards to another player who is still at the table and in the game. Any player who shows his/her cards to another player may be required to show them to the whole table either during or at the end of a hand. If a player shows his/her cards to a spectator, they are only advantaging the other players at the table by allowing two reads on the cards. Thus this is considered bad etiquette.

If a community card is accidentally turned over before the betting action is complete, please call your tournament host over. The error will be corrected by either returning the board cards to the deck and reshuffling, or rectifying the situation in a manner that will least affect the cards that would have played.

If a player pushes a chip out that is more than the current bet without verbalising their action, this will be considered a call. Players are permitted to ask for change from the pot if they have stated their intent.

The Tournament Host has final decision on all disputes.

The following actions are considered improper and at times may be grounds for a warning or expulsion from the game:

• Deliberately acting out of turn. Bet stands and players receives a warning.
• Deliberately splashing chips into the pot.
• String betting.
• Rabbit Hunting
• Reading a hand for another player at the showdown before it has been placed face up on the table.
• Using a mobile phone at the table
• Making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the course of play, whether or not the offender is involved in the hand.
• Revealing the contents of a live hand in a multi handed pot before the betting is complete.
• Needlessly stalling the action of a game.
• Deliberately hiding larger value chips from view of the other players, or having a 'dirty stack'.
• Commenting on the cards you threw away.
• Commenting on the community cards, e.g. "The board just paired, someone could have a full house!" It is a player's responsibility to read the board.
• Deliberately calling your hand incorrectly - this can lead to other players mucking winning hands.

There should only be ONE (1) player to a hand at all times. You cannot give someone advice on how they should play their hand. If someone would like advice, the Host is the only person permitted to give it.

Verbalize your actions at all times.

Talk about a hand after it is completed, but don't comment on other players style of play.

Remember that even if you have friends at the table, this is not your own home game and other players may not be comfortable with some of your comments, actions or behavior. Exercise common manners at all times.

1. Your hand is declared dead if:
   1. You fold or announce that you are folding when facing a bet or raise
   2. You throw your hand away in a forward motion causing another player to act behind you (even if not facing a bet)
   3. The hand does not contain the proper number of cards for that particular game
   4. You act on a hand with a joker as a hole card in a game not using a joker. (A player who acts on a hand without looking at a card assumes the liability of finding an improper card, as given in Irregularities, rule 9.
2. Cards thrown into the muck may be ruled dead. However, a hand that is clearly identifiable may be retrieved and ruled live at Hosts discretion if doing so is in the best interest of the game.

   Hosts will make an extra effort to rule a hand retrievable if it was folded as a result of incorrect information given to a player.

3. Cards thrown into another player's hand are dead, whether they are face up or face down.
4. If a dealer or another player removes live cards from in front of a player and they cannot be identified then that player's hand is dead.
5. Cards that are not protected and have mucked cards thrown on them are dead.

Q: Why are some of NPPL's rules different to other leagues/poker rooms and what should I tell players who argue with me about it?
A: We run tournaments for novice players, therefore it is sometimes difficult for us to play professional rules. The rules that are stated in this document and on the NPPL website have been adapted and chosen from an industry standard set, in order to best fit our environment and players. Sometimes these will differ to other rules you have seen - this is why the term "house rules" was invented.

Q: Why is the small blind on the button during head's up?
A: Pre-flop, you must always deal away from the button so therefore you must deal to the big blind first. Post-flop, although the big blind is first to act (when normally the small blind would be), the dealer is a more important position and must always retain the right to act last.

Q: Can a player fold their hand at any time?
A: NO! Folding is an action, therefore it can only be done in turn. It does not matter who is at your table, or how friendly you are, it's the rules! Why? Some players make their decisions based on how many people are in the hand. If you're holding a marginal hand like J,8 off-suit at an 8 person table, and 6 other people have called an $800 big blind, you would assume that they have pocket pairs, high connectors, suited connectors, etc and have you beat, so you fold. If you were last to act and you folded your J,8 FIRST, then other players with marginal hands might be tempted to stay in because they know they have less people to beat before they have to act. If you need to get up from the table during a folded hand, you shouldn't throw it away before the action gets to you. Proper etiquette is to tell the floor person you would like to be folded (since we do not have a separate dealer).

Q: Can I break the rules?
A: We certainly do not encourage you to go against the general rules of Hold'em, however at times you will be required to bend the rules given that you are not directing professional players. Your players will make simple mistakes however you should have a strategy in place that prevents people abusing the bend in the rules. E.g. if a player goes All In before another player has acted, allow them to continue the action, however if they do it again they will be forced to limit their action to that of the player/s before them.

Q: Why are some of these rules different to others I have seen?
A: These rules follow the standard and most widely accepted Texas Hold'em rules available, however given that we do not have professionals playing and very few of them are aware of even basic rules, they have been simplified to make it easy for players to learn. You should always try to know what the other variations of a rule are, and teach these to your players as well, explaining why we find it easier to use the simplified rule.

Q: Do rules apply to all Texas Hold'em games?
A: Not necessarily, however where possible the rules are the same for ring/live games and tournaments. For example, if you put out a single chip greater than the current bet in a ring game without verbalizing a raise, it is considered a call only. Lots of your players will try to do this at tournaments, however you should always consider it a raise. Why? If the bet is $200, and a player puts out a $1000 chip without saying anything, most of them will consider it a raise because they do not know the rules. Before you can clarify this, the remaining players will probably have acted and it is too late to rectify. Players also then have the opportunity to use this as strategy - if they put that $1000 chip out hoping to bet people out but someone calls, they can say "no, it's only a call, don't you know that rule??". The problem with this is that if players have already mucked their cards, they are dead and cannot be played, thus making it a cheap way to get a few players out of a pot.

Q: How should I balance tables?
A: There is a right way and a wrong way to do this. How you assign seats should never be left up to the players. You should never tell them to go wherever they want to go - not only will they feel lost but they can often upset the balance of your tables. You tell two players to go to a table with three empty seats, and yet you find those three seats are filled. You are the Tournament Director, the word Director is there for a reason.

If you only need to move one player, you should automatically select the player due for the big blind to fill the big blind position at the new table.

If you are moving an entire table, here are some rules you should follow:

1. Always break tables in a preset order. If your venue wants you to balance towards the back so they can pack up chairs, do it that way. Otherwise, make your own order.
2. Always have a strategy for balancing an entire table. If you are breaking up a table of 6 people, do not worry about positions. Part of tournament poker is assuming the responsibilities of a seat if you are moved. If that puts you from big blind to big blind, then too bad.
1. Get each player to draw a card. The highest card goes to your first table, second to your next table, etc. If you have multiple open seats at a table, they go in the order of their selected card.
2. When moving multiple players to a table, their cards should dictate their seat. If you are moving an Ace and a King, then the Ace sits in the first available seat behind the button.
3. Instead of using a card, you might like to keep some kind of marker with numbers 1-8 on them. This way if you need to move 6 people, you use markers 1-6 for the available 1-6 seats. Then assign seats in your preset order.
3. If a player complains about the place they are moving to, you have the ability to say it was totally random and all players had equal chance of picking the seat. Tell them that pros at the World Series do not whine about what seat they are moved into, and do not blame a loss on the fact that they moved into a big blind seat.

Q: If a player exposes one or both of their cards while the hand is still being played, is their hand dead?
A: No. They suffer the disadvantage for that hand, however in pro tournaments they would likely be penalized in some way. If a person accidentally does it, for example if they are All-In but there are still other players to call, they are still in the hand. If a player does it more than once, and you do not believe it to be accidental, consider warning them or ejecting them from the tournament.

Q: Why is it bad if I or a player says something like "who has the Ace for the flush?!"?
A: If you have played poker before, and gotten into the danger of flopping a straight without seeing the flush draw on the board, you'll know the pain of being beaten at showdown when you thought you had the best possible hand. It is a player's responsibility to read the board, and if you're the player with the sneaky little flush, you can suck out a lot of money from a hand if other player's don't suspect you of having anything. This is why you should NEVER and never encourage, players to read the board. You should never point out what cards are needed to make a certain hand or what hands are possible. Not only is it bad etiquette, you could be destroying someone's game plan.

Q: Should I redraw for seating when we go to the final table?
A: Many live tournaments will redraw for seating when they get down to 3 tables, however this is not necessary in our games.

If you want to make your players feel special, you can draw for each seat at the final table. You should always re-draw for the dealer position when you get to the final table.

Q: Should I redraw for the button when I move players to another table?
A: No. The standard rule of "you must assume the responsibilities of a seat" overrides other rules you may have read/heard about regarding re-drawing for the button when you move more than ½ or 3 or more (this only applies to 6-man tables anyway) players to a new table. Break tables according to the rules mentioned in this document and only redraw for dealer/seating at the final table.

Q: I'm on the bubble for the final table. Should I go into hand-for-hand mode?
A: It's up to you. In live tournaments they would do this, however we are on a time limit and you know how ridiculous players can get trying to drag out a hand, even in hand-for-hand. Use wisely!

Q: What should I do if I am confused about a rule?
A: 1. Call or email Tim Phillips 0419-277203