ARPL Poker Tournament Rule Book

These No-limit Texas Hold'em poker tournament rules are to be used in conjunction with ‘Robert’s Rules of Poker’. Where there is a discrepancy between these rules and Robert’s Rules of Poker, these rules shall take precedence.

BLINDS
The standard blinds for each game will be between 12 and 15 minutes depending on the venue. The final table in each game may vary down to 10 minutes per blind.

SEATING Each table will seat a maximum of 8 players. Players will be distributed as evenly as possible between all tables.

Each player seated at a table my save only one seat at that table until the game starts. At the start of the game all seats will be given to players waiting to get into the game. Anyone arriving late to a game and no seating is available will be put on a waiting list to enter the game.

MOVING PLAYERS If the number of players differs by two or more between any two tables, one player must move from the highest populated table to the lowest populated table. When forced to choose between removing a player from more than one equally populated table, one card will be dealt (by the lower populated table’s dealer) to each of the tables in question. The low card table (ace of spades is high) will move a player.

DEAD BUTTON RULE If the big blind busts out and is not replaced by a player from another table, the button moves to the player who posted the small blind and the player to the left of the former big blind assumes the big blind. There is no small blind for that hand.

PLAYERS LEAVING Any player who does not return within 15 minutes or 2 rounds of blinds forfeit all their remaining chips.

For no reason players leaving the game will split chips up among players. They must be given back to the host.

THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR The Tournament Director is Responsible for all table, seating and dealer decisions. The Tournament Director is responsible for the handling of the timer although may delegate this task to any dealer/player at his discretion. In the case of disputes and rules interpretations, the Tournament Director will have final authority. If the dispute directly involves the Tournament Director, a third-party will be appointed to resolve the dispute.

The Pot

1. The dealer shall ensure that each bettor bets the proper number of chips.
2. Bets shall remain in front of the bettor until the betting round is complete.
3. Bets are not to be scooped (placed into the pot by the dealer) until the end of the betting Round
4. The pot shall be placed in the center of the table, to the side of the community cards.
5. Side pots shall be placed as close as possible to the players involved in that side pot.
6. If a player goes all-in for a portion of the big blind, then subsequent action shall be made as if the player had posted the full big blind.

Burning Cards

1. After each betting round (except the final round) the dealer shall burn a card before Turning over the community card(s).
2. Before burning a card the dealer shall lightly tap the table.
3. Burn cards are placed face-down, in the center of the table, under the edge of the pot.
4. Each burn card shall be placed under the previous burn card.
5. Burn cards are to remain on the table, separate from the muck, until the pot is awarded To the winning player.

Dealer Verbal Announcements

1. The dealer shall announce all raises.
2. The dealer shall announce when an all-in bet has been made.
3. The dealer shall announce when any live blind elects to exercise the option to raise.
4. The dealer shall announce when a card has been exposed and which card it is.

The Showdown

1. A player must show all cards in the hand face-up on the table to win any part of the pot.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Suits never break a tie for winning a pot.
5. In determining the winning hand, if all five cards are not used to make a hand, the rank of the side cards (kicker cards) shall determine which hand is better.
6. If hands tie, any odd chip will be awarded to the first hand clockwise from the button.
7. After the showdown the dealer shall push (award) the pot to the winner and then advance the dealer button clockwise one player.

When Only Two Players Remain

1. When going from three to two players, determine which player would have been the next big blind if no player had been eliminated, that player is the big blind and the other player is the small blind and button.
2. The player who does not have the button shall be dealt the first card.
3. The small blind shall act first on the first betting round and last on all other rounds.

CONDUCT CODE
The Tournament Director (Host) will attempt to maintain a pleasant environment for all our customers and Employees, but is not responsible for the conduct of any player. We have established a code of conduct, and may deny a player from playing in the league if any of the following are violated. The following are not permitted:

• Collusion with another player or any other form of cheating.
• Verbally or physically threatening any patron or employee.
• Using profanity or obscene language.
• Creating a disturbance by arguing, shouting, or making excessive noise.
• Throwing, tearing, bending, or crumpling cards.
• Destroying or defacing property.
• Using an illegal substance.
• Carrying a weapon..

POKER ETIQUETTE
The following actions are improper, and grounds for warning, suspending, or barring a violator from the league Deliberately acting out of turn.

• Deliberately splashing chips into the pot.
• Agreeing to check a hand out when a third player is all-in.
• Soft playing by refusing to bet against a certain opponent whenever heads-up.
• Reading a hand for another player at the showdown before it has been placed face up on the table.
• Revealing the contents of a live hand in a multi handed pot before the betting is complete.
• Revealing the contents of a folded hand before the betting is complete. Do not divulge the contents of a hand during a deal even to someone not in the pot, so you do not leave any possibility of the information being transmitted to an active player.
• Needlessly stalling the action of a game.
• Deliberately discarding hands away from the muck. Cards should be released in a low line of flight, at a moderate rate of speed (not at the dealer's hands or chip-rack).
• Stacking chips in a manner that interferes with dealing or viewing cards.
• Making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the course of play, whether or not the offender is involved in the pot.
• The use of any electronic device that affects game play, cell phone, music players, etc. at the table.

DECISION-MAKING

1. Management reserves the right to make decisions in the spirit of fairness, even if a strict interpretation of the rules may indicate a different ruling.
2. Decisions of the shift supervisor are final.
3. The proper time to draw attention to a mistake is when it occurs or is first noticed. Any delay may affect the ruling.
4. If an incorrect rule interpretation or decision by an employee is made in good faith, the establishment has no liability.
5. A ruling may be made regarding a pot if it has been requested before the next deal starts (or before the game either ends or changes to another table). Otherwise, the result of a deal must stand. The first riffle of the shuffle marks the start for a deal.
6. If a pot has been incorrectly awarded and mingled with chips that were not in the pot, and the time limit for a ruling request given in the previous rule has been observed, management may determine how much was in the pot by reconstructing the betting, and then transfer that amount to the proper player.
7. To keep the action moving, it is possible that a game may be asked to continue even though a decision is delayed. The delay could be to check the overhead camera tape, get the shift supervisor to give the ruling, or for some other good reason. In such circumstances, a pot or portion of it may be impounded by the house while the decision is pending.
8. The same action may have a different meaning, depending on who does it, so the possible intent of an offender will be taken into consideration. Some factors here are the person’s amount of poker experience and past record.
9. A player, before he acts, is entitled to request and receive information as to whether any opposing hand is alive or dead, or whether a wager is of sufficient size to reopen the betting.

PROCEDURES

1. Only one person may play a hand.
2. No one is allowed to play another player’s chips.
3. Management will decide when to start or close any game.
4. Cash is not allowed on the table.
5. Players must keep their cards in full view. This means above table-level and not past the edge of the table. The cards should not be covered by the hands in a manner to completely conceal them.
6. Any player is entitled to a clear view of an opponent’s chips. Higher denomination chips should be easily visible.
7. Looking through the discards or deck stub is not allowed.
8. After a deal ends, dealers are asked to not show what card would have been dealt.
9. A player is expected to pay attention to the game and not hold up play. Activity that interferes with this such as reading at the table is discouraged, and the player will be asked to cease if a problem is caused.
10. A non-player may not sit at the table.
11. You may have a guest sit behind you if no one in the game objects. It is improper for a guest to look at any hand other then your own.

SEATING

1. The house reserves the right to require that any two players not play in the same game (husband and wife, relatives, business partners, and so forth).
2. To avoid a seating dispute, a supervisor may decide to start the game with one extra player over the normal number. If so, a seat will be removed as soon as someone quits the game.

MISDEALS

1. Once action begins, a misdeal cannot be called. The deal will be played, and no money will be returned to any player whose hand is fouled. In button games, action is considered to occur when two players after the blinds have acted on their hands. In stud games, action is considered to occur when two players after the forced bet have acted on their hands.
2. The following circumstances cause a misdeal, provided attention is called to the error before two players have acted on their hands.
1. The first or second card of the hand has been exposed by a dealer error.
2. Two or more cards have been exposed by the dealer.
3. Two or more boxed cards (improperly faced cards) are found.
4. Two or more extra cards have been dealt in the starting hands of a game.
5. An incorrect number of cards has been dealt to a player, except the top card may be dealt if it goes to the player in proper sequence.
6. Any card has been dealt out of the proper sequence (except an exposed card may be replaced by the burncard).
7. The button was out of position.
8. The first card was dealt to the wrong position.
9. Cards have been dealt to an empty seat or a player not entitled to a hand.
10. A player has been dealt out who is entitled to a hand. This player must be present at the table or have posted a blind or ante.

DEAD HANDS

1. Your hand is declared dead if:
1. You fold or announce that you are folding when facing a bet or a raise.
2. You throw your hand away in a forward motion causing another player to act behind you (even if not facing a bet).
2. Cards thrown into the muck may be ruled dead. However, a hand that is clearly identifiable may be retrieved and ruled live at management’s discretion if doing so is in the best interest of the game. An extra effort should be made to rule a hand retrievable if it was folded as a result of incorrect information given to the player.
3. Cards thrown into another player’s hand are dead, whether they are faceup or facedown.

Rules for Showing Poker Hands
Where there is a bet and a call after the river card is dealt it is the person betting who must show their cards first. The other people in the hand then have a choice of whether to show or muck (throw away face down) their hands. This moves in a clockwise direction from the original bettor who showed.

• Where there is no betting on the final round the first person to show their hand is the person nearest to the left of the dealer button. The remaining players then either muck or show their hands in a clockwise direction around the table.

Simple Steps to Ensure Your Game Runs Smoothly

• Make sure everyone understands the rules for showing poker hands at showdown before the game starts. This will avoid disputes and misunderstandings during the game.
• Outline to all players that asking to see mucked cards is a breach of etiquette and ask them not to do this unless absolutely necessary.

When there are players that are All-In before the RIVER CARD and no more betting can be done. All players MUST flip there cards over before the rest of the cards are dealt.

The current dealer at the table should be the only person handling chips during play. If the dealer can’t split a pot or needs help calculating the pot, please call the host over to help. No other players at the table should be involved with the pot.

Muck / Fold Cards
The area on the table where all of the dead cards are placed. Any hand that was folded and all burned cards are placed in the muck. 2. (v.) To throw your hand away into the muck.
The player throws the hand into the muck and is out of the hand