PlayLive Melbourne House Rules and Procedures

1: Floor Decisions

The best interest of the game and fairness are top priorities in decision-making. Unusual circumstances occasionally dictate that common-sense decisions in the best interest of fairness take priority over technical rules. All Floor decisions are final.

2: Player Responsibilities

Players should verify registration data and seat assignments, verify they’re dealt the correct number of cards before Substantial Action occurs, protect their hands, make their intentions clear, follow the action, act in turn with proper terminology and gestures, defend their right to act, keep cards visible and chips correctly stacked, remain at 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 manner, call for a clock when warranted, transfer tables promptly, follow one player to a hand, know and comply with the rules, practice proper etiquette, inform the house if they see or experience discriminatory or offensive behavior, and generally contribute to an orderly event where all players feel welcome.

3: Official Terminology and Gestures

Official betting terms are simple, unmistakable, time-honored declarations like bet, raise, call, fold, check, all-in, complete, and pot (pot-limit only). Regional terms may also meet this test. Also, players must use gestures with caution when facing action; tapping the table is a check. It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear: using non-standard terms or gestures is at player’s risk and may result in a ruling other than what the player intended. See also Rules 2 and 42.

4: Player Identity

Players must be clearly identifiable at all times. Tournament staff may request a player to remove any item (sunglasses, hood, or other facial covering) which inhibits their identification or is a distraction to other participants.

5: Electronic Devices and Communication

A:Players may not talk on a phone at the table. Ring tones, music, images, video etc. should be inaudible and non-disturbing to others. These and other devices, tools, photography, videography, and communication must not create a nuisance, delay the game or create competitive advantage and are subject to house and gaming regulations.

B.Phones and other devices may not rest on the table.

C:Players with live hands may not interact with or operate an electronic or communication device. The definition of such devices may include new technologies and shall be as updated by the TD.

D:Betting apps, charts, and other poker strategy tools may not be used at the table. Nor may players receive or use poker strategy data from another person or source. Violations of Rule 5 may be subject to penalties in Rule 71.

6: Official Language

English is the official language to be used at the table. No other languages may be used whilst at the table.

7: Random Correct Seating

Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly assigned. A player starting in the wrong seat with a correct chip stack may be moved to the correct seat with their current total chip stack depending when the error is discovered.

8: Alternates, Late Registration, and Re-Entries

A:Alternates, players registering late, and re-entries will be sold full stacks. They will randomly draw a seat and table by the same process and from the same seat pool then in place for new players and are dealt in except between the small blind and button.

B:In re-entry events, if a player is permitted to forfeit chips and buy a new stack, the forfeited chips will be removed from play.

9: Special Needs

Accommodations for players with special needs will be made when possible.

10: New Players and Players from Broken Tables

A:New players entering the tournament and players from broken tables can get any seat including the small or big blind or the button and be dealt in except between the SB and button.

B:Players from a broken table will be randomly assigned new tables and seats.

11: Balancing Tables and Halting Play

A:To balance tables in Flop and Mixed-games, the player who is to be big blind next moves to the worst position, including single big blind if available, even if that means the seat is big blind twice. The worst position is never the small blind. In stud-only, players move by position (last seat open at the short table is the seat filled).

B:In mixed games (ex: HORSE), when the game shifts from hold’em to stud, after the last hold’em hand the button moves to the position it would be if the next hand was hold’em and is frozen there during stud. The player moved in stud is the player who would be big blind if the game were hold’em for that hand. Shifting to hold’em the button starts where it was frozen.

C:The table from which a player is moved will be specified by a predetermined procedure.

D:Play will halt on tables 3 or more players shorter (by elimination) than the table with the most players once the blinds are impacted. Play halts on other formats (ex: 6-hand and turbos) at TDs discretion. TDs may waive halting play and waiver is not a misdeal. As the event progresses, at TD’s discretion tables should be more tightly balanced.

12: Declarations. Cards Speak at Showdown

Cards speak to determine the winner. Verbal declarations of hand value are not binding at showdown but deliberately miscalling a hand may be penalized. Dealers should read and announce hand values at showdown. Any player, in the hand or not, should speak up if they think a mistake is made in reading hands or calculating and awarding the pot.

13: Tabling Cards and Killing Winning Hand

A:Proper tabling is turning all cards face up on the table, allowing the dealer and players to read the hand clearly. “All cards” means both hole, cards in hold’em, all 4 hole cards in Omaha, all 7 cards in 7-stud, etc.

B:At showdown players must protect their hands while waiting for cards to be read (See also Rule 65). Players who don’t fully table all cards, then muck their hand, the player has no claim to the pot. The TDs decision on whether a hand was sufficiently tabled is final.

C:Dealers cannot kill a properly tabled hand that was obviously the winner.

14: Live Cards at Showdown

Discarding non-tabled cards face down does not automatically kill them; players may change their minds and table cards that remain 100% identifiable and retrievable. Cards are killed by the dealer when pushed into the muck and or otherwise rendered irretrievable and unidentifiable.

15: Showdown and Discarding Irregularities

A:If a player tables one card that would make a winning hand, the dealer should advise the player to table all cards. If the player refuses, the floor should be called.

B:If a player bets then discards thinking they have won (forgetting another player is still in the hand), the dealer should hold the cards and call the floor (a Rule 58 exception). If cards are mucked or not retrievable and identifiable to 100% certainty, the player is out and not entitled to a refund of called bets. If cards are mucked and the player initiated a bet or raise not yet called, the uncalled amount will be returned.

16: Face Up for All-Ins

All hands will be tabled without delay once a player is all-in and all betting action by all other players in the hand is complete. No player who is either all-in or has called all betting action may muck their hand without tabling. All hands in both the main and side pot(s) must be tabled and are live.

17: Non All-In Showdowns and Showdown Order

A:In a non all-in showdown, if cards are not spontaneously tabled or discarded, the TD may enforce an order of show. The last aggressive player on the final betting round (final street) must table first. If there was no final round bet, the player who would act first in a final betting round must table first (i.e. first seat left of the button in flop games, high hand showing in stud, low hand in razz, etc.).

B:A non all-in showdown is uncontested if all but one player mucks face down without tabling. The last player with live cards wins and is not required to table the cards.

18: Asking to See a Hand

A:Players not still in possession of cards at showdown, or who have mucked their cards face down without tabling, lose any rights or privileges to ask to see any hand.

B:If there was a river bet, any caller has an inalienable right to have the last aggressor’s hand tabled on request (“the hand they paid to see”) provided the caller tabled or retains their cards. TDs discretion governs all other requests such as to see the hand of another caller, or if there was no river bet.

19: Playing the Board at Showdown

To play the board, players must table all hole cards to get part of the pot (See Rule 13-A).

20: Awarding Odd Chips

First, odd chips will be broken into the smallest denomination in play.

A)Flop games with 2 or more high or low hands: the odd chip goes to the first seat left of the button.

B)Stud, razz, and if 2 or more high or low hands in stud/8: the odd chip goes to the high card by suit in the player’s 5-card winning hand.

C)H/L split: the odd chip in the total pot goes to the high side.

21: Side Pots

Each side pot will be split separately.

22: Disputed Hands and Pots

The reading of a tabled hand may be disputed until the next hand begins (see Rule 23). Accounting errors in calculating and awarding the pot may be disputed until substantial action occurs on the next hand. If a hand finishes during a break, the right to any dispute ends 1 minute after the pot is awarded.

23: New Hand and New Limits

A new level starts on announcement by the floor or audio signal by the clocking system. The new level applies to the next hand. Hands begin on the first riffle, push of the shuffler button, or on the dealer push. If a hand starts at the prior level by mistake, the hand will continue at the prior level after substantial action occurs (Rule 36). If a new level starts during the dealer push, the incoming dealer will deal one hand at the prior level.

24: Chip Race, Scheduled Color Ups

A:At scheduled color-ups, chips will be raced off starting in seat 1, with a maximum of one chip awarded to a player. Players can’t be raced out of play: a player losing their last chip(s) in a race will get 1 chip of the lowest denomination still in play.

B:Players must have their chips fully visible and are encouraged to witness the chip race.

C:If after the race, a player still has chips of a removed denomination, they will be exchanged for current denominations only at equal value. Chips of removed denominations that do not fully total at least the smallest denomination still in play will be removed without compensation.

25: Cards and Chips Kept Visible, Countable, and Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups

A:Players, dealers, and the floor are entitled to a reasonable estimation of chip counts; thus, chips need to be kept in countable stacks. Clean vertical stacks of 20 same denomination chips each as a standard. Higher denomination chips must be visible and identifiable at all times. If a floor person can’t look at a chip stack and quickly estimate its value, players likely can’t either.

B:TDs control the number and denominations of chips in play and may color up one or more players at their discretion at any time. Discretionary color ups are to be announced.

C:Players must keep live hands in plain view at all times.

D:Players on a feature table or live stream table must reasonably attempt to scan their hole cards to maintain continuity of the stream.

26: Deck Changes

Deck changes will be on the dealer push or level changes or as prescribed by the house. Players may not ask for deck changes.

27: Re-buys

Players may not miss a hand. Players declaring intent to rebuy before a hand are playing chips behind and must make the re-buy.

28: Rabbit Hunting

Rabbit hunting (revealing cards that would have come if the hand had not ended) is not allowed.

29: Calling for a Clock

Players should act in a timely manner to maintain a reasonable pace of the game. If in TD’s judgement reasonable time has passed, they may call the clock or approve a clock request by any player in the event. Players must be at their seats to call for a clock (Rule 30). A player on the clock has up to 25 seconds 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 action is a check. A tie goes to the player. TDs may adjust the time allowed and take other steps to fit the game and stop persistent delays. See also Rules 2 and 70.

30: At Your Seat and Live Hands

To have a live hand, players must be at their seats when the last card is dealt to all players on the initial deal. Players not then at their seats may not look at their cards which are killed immediately. Their posted blinds and antes forfeit to the pot and an absent player dealt the stud bring-in card posts the bring-in. “At your seat” means in reach of your chair. This rule is not intended to encourage players to be out of their seats while in a hand.

31: At the Table with Action Pending

Players with live hands (including players all-in or otherwise finished betting) must remain at the table for all betting rounds and showdown. Leaving the table is incompatible with protecting your hand and following the action and is subject to penalty.

32: Dead Button

Tournament play will use a dead button.

33: Dodging Blinds

Players who intentionally dodge any blind will incur a penalty.

34: Button Placement and Movement

A:If incorrect button movement is discovered before Substantial Action (SA) occurs, the error will be corrected. However, if SA has occurred, play will continue. Ex: If the button is moved twice and SA occurs the error will stand, the button will not be backed-up on the next hand. All players have a responsibility to monitor button placement and speak up if they see a mistake.

B:Heads-up, the small blind is the button, is dealt the last card, and acts first pre-flop and last on all other betting rounds. Starting heads-up play, the button may need to be adjusted to ensure no player has the big blind twice in a row.

35: Misdeals and Fouled Decks

A:Misdeals include but are not necessarily limited to:

1)5 or more boxed cards on the initial deal

2)first card dealt to the wrong seat

3)cards dealt to a seat not entitled to a hand

4)a seat entitled to a hand is dealt out

5)the wrong number of cards is dealt to any player (except Rule 37)

6)Before SA, a non standard card for the game type is found (example: jokers, 2-3-4-5 in short deck)

7)In flop games, if 1 of the first 2 cards dealt off the deck or any other 2 downcards are exposed by dealer error. House rules apply for draw games (ex: lowball).

B:Players may be dealt 2 consecutive cards on the button (see also Rule 37).

C:In misdeals, the re-deal is an exact re-play: the button doesn’t move, no new players are seated, limits stay the same. Cards are dealt to players who were dealt-in but not at their seats for the original deal and they can play the re-deal (Rule 30). Players on penalty who were originally dealt-in will receive cards then their hands are killed. The original deal and re-deal count as 1 hand for a player on penalty, not 2.

D:Once substantial action occurs (see Rule 36) a misdeal cannot be declared; the hand must proceed unless the deck is fouled. Non-standard cards found after SA are treated as scraps of paper (exception: fouled decks).

E:Fouled decks.If 2 or more cards of the same suit and rank are found, the deck is fouled. If a fouled deck is discovered, regardless of SA, play will stop and all bets will be returned. Once a hand concludes, the right to dispute based on a fouled deck ends according to Rule 22.

36: Substantial Action (SA)

Substantial Action is either

A)Any 2 actions in turn, at least one of which puts chips in the pot (i.e. any 2 actions except 2 checks or 2 folds) or

B)Any combination of 3 actions in turn (check, bet, raise, call, fold). Posted blinds do not count towards SA.

37: Blinds and Button with Too Few or Too Many Cards

1)If either small blind or big blind is dealt the incorrect number of cards due to dealer error and the correct order of cards cannot be determined the players hand in question will be declared dead and blind bets returned to the player and play continues as if the affected blind is still in play. If the affected player acts on their hand before it is found to be containing too few or too many cards their hand is declared dead and any chips put into the pot will not be returned to the player.

2)A player on the button dealt too few cards should announce it immediately. Missing button cards may be replaced even after substantial action if permitted for the game type. However, if the button acts on a hand with too few cards (by check or bet), the button’s hand is dead.

38: Burns After Substantial Action

The burn card is to protect the stub, not “preserve card order”. If SA occurs and a hand is killed due to the wrong number of cards, all cards of the killed hand are mucked and randomness applies to further dealing. The stub is treated as a normal stub and one and only one card is burned off the stub for each subsequent street. The burn is always one card per street, never more. See Illustration Addendum.

39: Irregular Flops and Premature-Dealt Cards

39.1If the flop has too many cards dealt and turned face-up, it will be taken back without the burn card by the Dealer and shuffled with the remainder of the deck. The Dealer will cut and then re-deal the flop.

39.2If the Dealer neglects to burn a card prior to dealing the flop and there has been no substantial action, it will be taken back by the Dealer and shuffled with the remainder of the deck. The Dealer will cut, burn a card and re-deal a flop.

39.3If the flop is dealt and turned face-up prior to the completion of the first betting round, it will be taken back without the burn card by the Dealer and shuffled with the remainder of the deck. The Dealer will cut and then re-deal the flop.

40: Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips

A:Bets are by verbal declaration and/or pushing out chips. If a player does both, whichever is first defines the bet. If simultaneous, a clear and reasonable verbal declaration takes precedence, otherwise the chips play. In unclear situations or where verbal and chips are contradictory, the TD will determine the bet based on the circumstances and Rule 1.

B:Verbal declarations may be general (“call”, “raise”), a specific amount only (“one thousand”) or both (“raise, one thousand”).

C:For all betting rules, declaring a specific amount only is the same as silently pushing out an equal amount. Ex: Declaring “two hundred” is the same as silently pushing out 200 in chips.

41: Methods of Calling

Standard and acceptable forms of calling include:

A)saying “call”

B)pushing out chips equal to a call

C)silently pushing out an oversized chip

D)silently pushing out multiple chips equal to a call under the multi-chip rule (Rule 45).

Silently betting chip(s) relatively tiny to the bet (ex: blinds 2k-4k. Player A bets 50k, Player B then silently puts out one 1k chip) is non-standard, strongly discouraged, subject to penalty, and will be interpreted at TDs discretion, including being ruled a full call.

42: Methods of Raising

In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by A) pushing out the full amount in one motion or B) verbally declaring the full amount prior to pushing out chips. C) If a player says “raise” but fails to either state an amount or put out an amount of chips. When no shot clock is in use, The TD will be called to determine what the raise is. When a shot clock is in use, when the timer runs out it will be a minimum raise.

43: Raise Amounts

A:A raise must be at least equal to the largest prior full bet or raise of the current betting round. A player who raises 50% or more of the largest prior bet but less than a minimum raise must make a full minimum raise. If less than 50% it is a call unless “raise” is first declared or the player is all-in (Rule 45-B). Declaring an amount or pushing out the same amount of chips is treated the same (Rule 40-C). Ex: NLHE, opening bet is 1000, verbally declaring “Fourteen hundred” or silently pushing out 1400 in chips are both calls unless raise is first declared.

B:Without other clarifying information, declaring raise and an amount is the total bet. Ex: A opens for 2000, B declares “Raise, eight thousand.” The total bet is 8000.

44: Oversized Chip Betting (Overchips)

If facing a bet or blind, pushing out a single oversized chip (including your last chip) is a call if raise isn’t first declared. To raise with an overchip you must declare raise before the chip hits the table surface. If raise is declared but no amount is stated, the raise is the maximum allowable for the chip. If not facing a bet, pushing out an overchip silently (no declaration) is a bet of the maximum for the chip.

45: Multiple Chip Betting

A:If facing a bet, unless raise or all-in is declared first, a multiple-chip bet (including a bet of your last chips) is a call if every chip is needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves less than the call amount. Ex-1: Player A opens for 400: B raises to 1100 total (a 700 raise), C puts out one 500 and one 1000 chip silently. This is a call because removing the 500 chip leaves less than the 1100 call amount. Ex-2: NLHE 25-50. Post-flop A opens for 1050 and B puts out his last chips (two 1000’s). B calls unless raise or all-in was first declared.

B:If every chip is not needed to make the call; i.e. removing just one of the smallest chips leaves the call amount or more: 1) if the player has chips remaining, the 50% standard in Rule 43 governs the bet. 2) A bet of a player’s last chip(s) is an all-in bet whether reaching the 50% threshold or not. See Addendum.

46: Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In

A:To avoid confusion, players with prior-bet chips not yet pulled in who face a raise should verbalize their action before adding chips to the prior bet.

B:If facing a raise, clearly pulling back a prior bet chips binds a player to call or raise; they may not put the chip(s) back out and fold.

C:If new chip(s) are added silently and the bet is unclear to the house, the call and raise rules 41-45 apply as follows: 1) If prior chips don’t cover the call AND are either left alone OR fully pulled back, an oversized chip is a call and multiple new chips are subject to the 50% raise standard (Rule 43). 2) If prior chips are partly pulled back OR if prior chip(s) cover the call, the combined final chip bet is a raise if reaching the 50% standard (Rules 43 and 45), if less it is a call.

47: Re-Opening the Bet.

A:In no-limit and pot limit, an all-in wager (or cumulative multiple short all-ins) totaling less than a full bet or raise will not reopen betting for players who have already acted and are not facing at least a full bet or raise when the action returns to them. If multiple short all-ins re-open the betting, the minimum raise is always the last full valid bet or raise of the round (See also Rule 43).

B:In limit, at least 50% of a full bet or raise is required to re-open betting for players who have already acted. See Illustration Addendum.

48: Number of Allowable Raises

There is no cap on the number of raises in no-limit and pot-limit. In limit play, there is a limit to raises even when heads-up until the event is down to 2 players; the house limit applies.

49: Accepted Action

Poker is a game of alert, continuous observation. It is the caller’s responsibility to determine the correct amount of an opponent’s bet before calling, regardless of what is stated by others. If a caller requests a count but receives incorrect information from a dealer or player, then pushes out that amount or declares call, the caller has accepted the full correct action and is subject to the correct wager or all-in amount. As with all situations, Rule 1 may apply at TD’s discretion.

50: Acting in Turn

A:Players must act in turn verbally and/or by pushing out chips. Actions in turn are binding, actions out of turn may be binding (see rule 53).

B:Players must wait for clear bet amounts before acting. Ex: NLHE, Player A says “raise” (but no amount), and Player B quickly folds. Player B should wait to act until A’s raise amount is clear.

51: Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn

A:General verbal declarations in turn (such as “call” or “raise”) commit a player to the full current action.

B:A player undercalls by declaring or pushing out less than the call amount without first declaring “call”. An undercall is a mandatory full call if made in turn facing 1) any bet heads-up or 2) the opening bet on any round multi-way. In other situations, TD’s discretion applies. The opening bet is the first chip bet of each betting round (not a check). In blind games the posted BB is the pre-flop opener. All-in buttons reduce undercall frequency. This rule governs when players must make a full call and when, at TDs discretion they may forfeit the amount of the intended undercall and fold (see Illustration Addendum). For underbets and underraises, see Rule 52.

C:If two or more undercalls occur in sequence, play backs up to the first undercaller who must correct his or her bet per Rule 51-B. The TD will determine how to treat hands of the remaining bettors based on the circumstances.

52: Incorrect Bets, Underbets and Underraises

A:In limit and no-limit, opening or raising less than the minimum legal amount is corrected anywhere on the current street (if on the river any time before showdown starts). Ex: NLHE 100-200, post-flop A opens for 600 and B raises to 1000 (a 200 underraise). C and D call, E folds then the error is noticed. Increase the bet to 1200 total for all bettors any time before the turn is dealt. After the turn the error stands. For undercalls, see Rule 51.

B:In pot limit, if a player underbets the pot based on an inaccurate count, if the pot count is too high (an illegal bet), it will be corrected for all players anywhere on the current street; if too low, corrected until substantial action occurs after the bet. See Illustration Addendum.

53: Action Out of Turn (OOT)

Verbal declarations in turn are binding. Action out of turn may be binding:

53.1If a player bets, Raises or Calls out of turn, the bet stands

53.2If a player who should have acted prior to the out of turn player chooses to bet more than the out of turn bet/call, the player who acted out of turn can either make up the difference to Call, or take back their bet and Fold or re-Raise.

53.3A player who Checks out of turn forfeits all rights to bet or Raise on that round of betting.

53.4In the event that a player is All-in out of turn, Rule 53.2 will not apply.

54: Pot Size and Pot-Limit Bets

A:Players are entitled to a pot count in pot-limit only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit. The Dealer can spread the pot upon request.

B:Pre-flop a dead or short all-in blind will not affect pot calculation. All pre-flop pot and re-pot bets will assume full blinds were posted. Ex 1: PLO, 100-200 blinds, dead SB, BB posts 200. Ex 2: SB posts 100, BB short posts 100. In both examples the pot-limit bet for first player to act is 700.

C:Post-flop, bets are based on actual pot size.

D:Declaring “I bet the pot” is not a valid bet in no-limit but it does bind the player to making a minimum bet/raise and may be subject to penalty.

55: Invalid Bet Declarations

If a player faces no bet and:

A)declares “call”, it is a check;

B)declares “raise”, the player must make at least a minimum bet. A player declaring “check” when facing a bet may call or fold, but cannot raise.

56: String Bets and Raises

String bets and raises are not allowed. A string bet is defined as “a bet or raise that includes 2 or more motions”. The dealer makes the decision if a bet is or is not a string bet. However a TD may be called to resolve and make the final decision if required.

57: Non-Standard and Unclear Betting

Players use unofficial betting terms and gestures at their own risk. These may be interpreted to mean other than what the player intended. Also, if a declared bet can legally have multiple meanings, it will be ruled the highest reasonable amount that is less than or equal to the pot size* before the bet. Ex: NLHE 200-400, the pot totals less than 5000, player declares “I bet five.” With no other clarifying information, the bet is 500; if the pot totals 5000 or more, the bet is 5000. *The pot is the total of all prior bets including any bets in front of a player not yet pulled in. See Rules 2, 3, 40 and 42.

58: Non-Standard Folds

Any time before the end of the final betting round, folding in turn if there’s no bet to you (ex: facing a check or first to act post-flop) or folding out of turn are binding folds subject to penalty.

59: Conditional and Premature Declarations

A:Conditional statements of future action are non-standard and strongly discouraged. At TDs discretion they may be binding and/or penalized. Example: “if – then” statements such as “If you bet, I will raise.”

B:If Player A declares “bet” or “raise” and Player B calls before Player A’s exact bet amount is known, the TD will rule the bet as best fits the situation including possibly obliging Player B to call any amount.

60: Count of Opponent’s Chip Stack

Players, dealers, and the floor are entitled to a reasonable estimation of opponents’ chip stacks (Rule 25). A player may request a more precise count only if facing an all-in bet and it is his or her turn to act. The all-in player is not required to count; on request the dealer or floor will count it. Accepted action applies (Rule 49). Visible and countable chip stacks (Rule 25) greatly improve counting accuracy. Requesting a chip count cannot be used to slow the game down. If the All in players chip stack is clearly larger than the player asking for a count the dealer will announce “it's all in to call”.

61: Over-Betting Expecting Change

Betting should not be used to obtain change. Pushing out more than the intended bet can confuse everyone at the table. All chips pushed out silently are at risk of being counted in the bet. Ex: the opening bet is 325 to player A who silently puts out 525 (one 500 and one 25), expecting 200 change. This is a raise to 650 under the multiple chip rule (Rule 45).

62: All-In with Chips Found Behind Later

If Player A bets all-in and a hidden chip is found behind after a player calls, the TD will determine if the chip behind is part of accepted action (Rule 49). If not part of the action, Player A is not paid off for those chip(s) if he or she wins. If A loses, he or she is not saved by the chip(s) and the TD may award the chip(s) to the winning caller. If a player intentionally keeps a single chip behind and the dealer calls all-in and the player neglects to correct the dealer, the player may be forced to put the remaining chip in to complete the all-in.

63: Chips Out of View and in Transit

Players may not hold or transport chips in a way that takes them out of view. A player who does so will forfeit the chips and may be disqualified. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play. The house will provide racks or bags to transport chips when needed.

64: Lost and Found Chips

Lost and found chips for which ownership cannot be determined will be taken out of play and returned to tournament inventory.

65: Accidentally Killed / Fouled / Exposed Hands

A:Players must protect their hands at all times, including at showdown while waiting for hands to be read. If the dealer kills a hand by mistake or if in TDs judgement a hand is fouled and cannot be identified to 100% certainty, the player has no redress and is not entitled to a refund of called bets. If the player initiated a bet or raise and hasn’t been called, the uncalled amount will be returned.

B:If a hand is fouled but can be identified, it remains in play despite any cards exposed.

66: Dead Hands and Mucking in Stud

In stud poker, if a player picks up the upcards while facing action, the hand is dead. Proper mucking in stud is turning down all up cards and pushing them all forward face down.

67: No Disclosure. One Player to a Hand

Players must protect other players in the tournament at all times. Therefore players, whether in the hand or not, must not:

1.Discuss contents of live or mucked hands,

2.Advise or criticize play at any time,

3.Read a hand that hasn’t been tabled.

One-player-to-a-hand is in effect. Among other things, this rule prohibits showing a hand to or discussing strategy with another player, advisor, or spectator. Penalties may apply

68: Exposing Cards and Proper Folding

Exposing cards with action pending, including the current player when last to act, may result in a penalty but not a dead hand. Any penalty begins at the end of the hand. When folding, cards should be pushed forward low to the table, not deliberately exposed or tossed high (“helicoptered”). See Rule 66.

69: Ethical Play

Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result in penalties, which may include chip forfeiture and/or disqualification. Chip dumping and other forms of collusion will result in disqualification.

70: Etiquette Violations

Etiquette violations are subject to enforcement actions in. Examples include but are not limited to: persistent delay of the game, unnecessarily touching another player’s person, cards or chips, repeatedly acting out of turn, maintaining poor card or chip visibility and countability, betting out of reach of the dealer, abusive conduct, offensive hygiene, and excessive chatter.

71: Tournament Duration

A:All tournaments are limited to a maximum of 13 hours of play per day. Any unfinished play will resume on the next scheduled tournament day.

B:If all players agree to continue play, play will continue until the agreed upon time.

C:The Final decision is up to the Manager on shift. All decisions are final.

72: Tournament Guarantees

Playlive reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change, alter, reduce, increase, suspend, or cancel the advertised guarantee of any tournament at any time. Tournament guarantees are subject to operational requirements, scheduling considerations, player participation, venue or platform availability, technical circumstances, promotional considerations, and other factors that may affect the operation of a tournament. Where circumstances require, Playlive may amend or withdraw a tournament guarantee prior to or during the registration period. Any such amendment or cancellation will be communicated to players through the applicable Playlive communication channels where reasonably practicable.

73: Warnings, Penalties, and Disqualification

A:Enforcement options include but are not limited to verbal warnings, one or more “missed hand” or “missed round” penalties, and disqualification. For missed rounds, the offender will miss one hand for every player (including him or her) at the table when the penalty is given multiplied by the number of penalty rounds. Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties. Players away from the table or on penalty may be anted or blinded out of a tournament.

B:A penalty may be invoked for etiquette violations (Rule 70), card exposure with action pending, throwing cards, violating one-player-to-a-hand, improper use of devices or strategy tools (Rule 5), or similar incidents. Penalties will be given for soft play, abuse, disruptive behavior, dodging blinds or cheating. Checking the exclusive nuts when last to act on the river is not an automatic soft play violation; TD’s discretion applies based on the situation.

C:Players on penalty must be away from the table. Cards are dealt to their seats, their blinds and antes posted, their hands are killed after the initial deal, and if dealt the stud bring-in they must post the bring-in.

D:Chips of a disqualified player shall be removed from play.

74: Cash-out Policy

Playlive will make every reasonable effort to ensure that all details entered on cash-out forms are correct and up to date. It remains the responsibility of the individual completing the form to review and confirm all information is correct prior to submission.

75: Liability

Playlive is not liable for any delays or rejected payments resulting from incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the individual

Recommended Procedures are policy suggestions to reduce errors and improve event management. They also may apply to situations with too many variations to address in one universal rule. The fairest ruling in these cases may require use of multiple rules, evaluation of all circumstances, and reliance on Rule 1 as a primary guide.

RP-1. All-In Buttons

All-in buttons clearly indicate a player is “all-in.” The dealer should keep the buttons (not each player). When a player bets all-in, the dealer places an all-in button in front of the player, in full view of the rest of the table.

RP-2. Bringing in Bets is Discouraged

Routinely bringing in chips as betting and raising proceeds around the table is poor dealing practice. Reducing bet stacks can influence action, create confusion and increase errors. Only the player currently facing action may ask the dealer to bring-in bets.

RP-3. Personal Belongings

The table surface is vital for chip stack management, dealing, and betting. The table and nearby spaces (legroom and walkways) must not be cluttered by non essential personal items. Each cardroom should clearly display its policy on items allowed in the tournament area.

RP-4. Disordered Stub

When cards remain to be dealt on a hand and the stub is accidentally dropped and appears to be disordered: 1) first try to reconstruct the stub in its original order if possible; 2) If not possible, create a new stub using only the stub cards (not the muck and prior burns). These should be scrambled, shuffled, cut, and play proceeds with the new stub; 3) If when dropped the stub is mixed in with the muck and/or burns, then scramble the mixed cards together, shuffle, and cut. Play proceeds with the new stub.

RP-5. Prematurely Dealt Cards

Board and burn cards are sometimes dealt prematurely, before action on the preceding round is finished. The general procedures for these situations are:

A:Premature flop, leave the flop burn card as the burn. Return the premature board cards to the deck stub and reshuffle the entire stub. Re-deal the flop (without another burn) from the newly shuffled stub.

B:A premature turn card: That card will be taken back and set aside, the burn card will remain and the second betting round will then be completed. The Dealer will burn and turn the river card as the replacement turn card and ensure that the betting for that round is complete. The card set aside as described in above will then be shuffled with the stub and a new river card will be turned without burning a card.

C:A premature river card: leave the river burn card as the burn. Return the premature river card to the deck stub and reshuffle the entire stub. Re-deal the river (without another burn) from the newly shuffled stub

RP-6. Efficient Movement of Players

Moving players for breaking and balancing should be expeditious so as not to unduly miss blinds or otherwise delay the game. If possible, players should have racks for chip transport and sufficient color-ups should be done so players do not carry unusually large numbers of chips (see Rules 10, 11 and 63).

RP-7: Hand for Hand Procedures

A:Payoff eligibility starts at the announcement: “finish the current hand you’re on then hold up, we are going hand for hand”. If enough players bust on the current hand to break into the money, the busting players may be eligible for a share of the place(s) paid on the current hand. In the instance that multiple players bust on the bubble when hand for hand is in effect they will either

1)If multiple players bust on different tables they will split the place(s) paid between the busting players.

2)if the players busting are on the same table, chip stacks will determine the busting order.

3)If 3 or more players bust during Hand for Hand, they will split the place(s) paid between the busting players.

B:Hand for hand may be introduced at any time at the TD’s request to keep the tournament fair for all players.

C:So that players can most clearly know the timing of level changes, whenever possible the clock should be reduced by 2-minutes each hand not after “batches” of multiple hands.

D:Blinds continue to increase as time elapses off the clock at the rate of 2 minutes per hand and new levels are reached.

E:Players are encouraged but not required to remain seated during H4H play.

F:In the event of an all-in and call during H4H, the cards of all players in the hand should remain face down. Dealers should not deal additional cards until instructed.

RP-8: Number of Players at Final Table

9 and 8-handed events will combine from two tables of five players each to a 9- handed final table. 7 and 6-handed events will combine from two tables of four players each to a 7-handed final table.

RP-9: Tournament Stud Dealing Procedures

A:A downcard exposed on the initial deal will be the player’s upcard and 3rd street will be dealt down to that player. The player can be the bring-in.

B:A card exposed by the dealer on 7th street will be replaced if betting action remains on the hand. 7th street should be dealt down even if no betting action remains on the hand and in all-in situations the player(s) not at risk expose first.

C:Cards of a player not at his or her seat (See Rule 30) for the deal will be killed. No cards will be dealt to a hand on 4th street that is not live.

D:If there are two or more matching high hands showing in Stud (or Stud-8) or low hands in Razz, betting starts on the hand with the high card by suit in both games.

E:If the player is dealt the low card by suit is all-in for the ante, betting starts to his or her left. Players with chips must bet at least the bring-in or fold.

F:Bets will not be doubled on 4th street for a pair showing.

G:For premature cards dealt in stud see RP-5-D.

H:7th street short stub procedure. If before dealing 7th street the number of cards in the current stub is less than the “required number” (# remaining players + burn card + undealt last card) proceed as follows: A) if the required number can be reached by adding the 3 prior burn cards (for 4th, 5th, and 6th street) the current stub will be scrambled with the prior burns to create a new stub. The new stub will be cut, a card burned, and one card dealt to each player. B) If there are at least 3 cards in the current stub but adding the prior burns would not reach the required number, the dealer will burn the top card of the current stub and deal the next card as a community card in the center of the table. C) if the current stub has less than 3 cards, it will be scrambled with the 3 prior burns for a new stub which will then be cut, a card burned, and the next card dealt as a community card. D) If a community card is in play, the first player who would act on 6th street will be first to act on 7th street.

RP-10: Ante Formats and No Ante Reduction

If a single-payer ante is used, the big blind ante format (BBA) with big-blind-first calculation is recommended. Antes should not be reduced (including at the final table) as play progresses in the event. If a player doesn't have the enough chips for both the Ante and the Big blind, the Big Blind must be completed before the ante component.

RP-11: Dealers Should Announce Bets and Raises

Dealers should routinely announce non-all-in bet values as betting proceeds around the table. All-in bets will be counted only on request of the player currently facing action. If the All in players chip stack is clearly larger than the player asking for a count, the dealer will announce “it's all in to call” and no chip count is required even when requested by the player currently facing action. Accepted action continues to apply (Rule 49). Scheduled and discretionary color-ups improve bet countability.

RP-12: Dealers Should Stack Chips in Split-Pot Games

Where possible, dealers should periodically stack pot chips in split-pot games. Stacking chips should not obscure players’ view or otherwise disrupt the game.

RP-13: Randomness May be Applied to Special Situations

For error remedies not otherwise covered in the House Rules and Procedures, TDs may use the concept of randomness to design a solution.

RP-14: Proper Tournament Staff Communication

A:Outgoing dealers should inform incoming dealers of pertinent information regarding the table. Examples include: blind information, players on warning or penalties, disruptive behavior.

B:The dealer should inform the floor of all existing and potential infractions of Rule 2 (Player Responsibilities) and Rule 70 (Etiquette). Special emphasis on any discriminatory or offensive behavior in general or towards specific players or staff.

RP-15: Player Absent on a Breaking Table

If a player is not present during the breaking of a table, their chips should be moved to the new table by a staff member.

RP-16: Tournament Draw Betting Procedures

Limping is allowed in all single-draw games.

RP-17: Order of Mixed Games

In order to reduce errors, in mixed game events (ex HORSE), stud and stud-8 need not be played consecutively.

RP-18: Reducing Stalling

The house should clearly announce intention to reduce stalling so that players understand timely play is expected. It’s recommended that each house establish creative methods for reducing stalling. Redrawing tables and starting hand for hand early.

RP-19: Cards Ready for Shuffle

At the start of the tournament or ending of a break, within one minute of starting or resuming play, the floor should announce “dealers prepare your decks”. When at least 2 players are at the table, the dealer will wash and square the deck, to be ready for shuffle when the level starts.

RP-20: Spreading the Pot

The pot will only be counted in pot-limit events. On request the pot may be spread to increase chip visibility. See also Rule 54: Pot Size and Pot-Limit Bets.

RP-21: Betting Non-Denominational Items (Bounty chips, clock tokens etc)

Action items with no nominal value (bounty chips, clock tokens etc) should be of different size than standard betting chips. Betting with these items will be interpreted per house policy or Rule 1 and may be ruled a call or all-in at TDs discretion.

Shot Clocks: Tournaments using Shot Clocks will have a predetermined amount of time each player has to act on their hand. Shot clocks will be paused when the dealer is counting All in bets. Players may have time bank cards that extend the amount of time they have to act on their hand. The amount of time and time cards given to a tournament is up to the TD’s discretion. Time banks will automatically be used when the player's time hits zero and the dealer will reset the shot clock for that player.

Hands Per Level

To ensure a fair and consistent pace of play, designated final tables may be run using the Hands Per Level Format instead of a level timer. Blind levels will increase after the designated number of hands. This format helps maintain the integrity of the tournament by ensuring all players receive a similar number of hands at each blind level.

The number of hands should be a predetermined amount before the start of the tournament. The Tournament Director will have the final decision. All TD decisions are final.