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Original Version by Poker Tournament Director ASSN.

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Poker TDA:

2022 Rules, Version 1.0 Sept. 2022

General Concepts

1 : Floor Decisions
2 : Player Responsibilities
3 : Official Terminology and Gestures
4 : Player Identity
5 : Electronic Devices and Communication
6 : Official Language

Seating, Breaking & Balancing Tables

7 : Random Correct Seating
8 : Alternates, Late Registration, & Re-Entries
9 : Special Needs
10 : Breaking Tables
11 : Balancing Tables and Halting Play

Pots / Showdown

12 : Declarations. Cards Speak at Showdown
13 : Tabling Cards & Killing Winning Hand
14 : Live Cards at Showdown
15 : Showdown and Discarding Irregularities
16 : Face Up for All-Ins
17 : Non All-In Showdowns & Showdown Order
18 : Asking to See a Hand
19 : Playing the Board at Showdown
20 : Awarding Odd Chips
21 : Side Pots
22 : Disputed Hands and Pots

General Procedures

23 : New Hand & New Limits
24 : Chip Race, Scheduled Color Ups
25 : Cards & Chips Kept Visible, Countable, & Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups
26 : Deck Changes
27 : Re-buys
28 : Rabbit Hunting
29 : Calling for a Clock

Player Present / Eligible for Hand

30 : At Your Seat and Live Hands
31 : At the Table with Action Pending

Button / Blinds

32 : Dead Button
33 : Dodging Blinds
34 : Button in Heads-up

Dealing Rules

35 : Misdeals and Fouled Decks
36 : Substantial Action (SA)
37 : Button with Too Few Cards
38 : Burns After Substantial Action
39 : Irregular Flops and Premature-Dealt Cards

Play: Bets & Raises

40 : Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips
41 : Methods of Calling
42 : Methods of Raising
43 : Raise Amounts
44 : Oversized Chip Betting (Overchips)
45 : Multiple Chip Betting
46 : Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In
47 : Re-Opening the Bet.
48 : Number of Allowable Raises
49 : Accepted Action
50 : Acting in Turn
51 : Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn
52 : Incorrect Bets, Underbets & Underraises
53 : Action Out of Turn (OOT)
54 : Pot Size & Pot-Limit Bets
55 : Invalid Bet Declarations
56 : String Bets and Raises
57 : Non-Standard & Unclear Betting
58 : Non-Standard Folds
59 : Conditional & Premature Declarations
60 : Count of Opponent’s Chip Stack
61 : Over-Betting Expecting Change
62 : All-In with Chips Found Behind Later

Play: Other

63 : Chips Out of View and in Transit
64 : Lost and Found Chips
65 : Accidentally Killed / Fouled / Exposed Hands
66 : Dead Hands and Mucking in Stud

Etiquette & Penalties

67 : No Disclosure. One Player to a Hand
68 : Exposing Cards and Proper Folding
69 : Ethical Play
70 : Etiquette Violations
71 : Warnings, Penalties, & Disqualification

2022 Recommended Procedures

RP1 : All-In Buttons
RP2 : Bringing in Bets is Discouraged
RP3 : Personal Belongings
RP4 : Disordered Stub
RP5 : Prematurely Dealt Cards
RP6 : Efficient Movement of Players
RP7 : Timing of Dealer Pushes
RP8 : Hand for Hand Procedures
RP9 : Number of Players at Final Table
RP10 : Tournament Stud Dealing Procedures
RP11 : No Ante Reduction
RP12 : Dealers Should Announce Bets & Raises
RP13 : Dealers Should Stack Chips in Split-Pot Games
RP14 : Randomness May be Applied to Special Situations
RP15 : Proper Tournament Staff Communication
RP16 : Player Absent on a Breaking Table
RP17 : Tournament Draw Betting Procedures
RP18 : Order of Mixed Games
RP19 : Reducing Stalling

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2022 Rules, Version 1.0 Sept. 2022

The Poker TDA is a voluntary poker industry association founded in 2001. The TDA mission is to increase global uniformity of poker tournament rules. TDA Rules supplement the conventional rules of this house. In case of conflict with a gaming agency, the agency rules apply.

General Concepts

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 interest of fairness take priority over technical rules.
  • Floor decisions are final.

2 : Player ResponsibilitiesModified 2022

Players should:
  • verify registration data and seat assignments;
  • verify they’re dealt the correct number of cards before SA occurs;
  • protect their hands while keeping the cards visible;
  • remain at the table with a live hand;
  • make their intentions clear;
  • follow the action;
  • act in turn with proper terminology and gestures;
  • defend their right to act;
  • keep chips correctly stacked;
  • 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 and 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 2Player Responsibilities & 42Methods of Raising.
See also:
Rule 2: Player Responsibilities
Rule 42: Methods of Raising

4 : Player Identity

Clothing or other accoutrements must not continuously obscure player identity or become a distraction to the game. House standards will apply in the sole judgment of the TD.

5 : Electronic Devices and CommunicationModified 2022

Players may not talk on a phone at the table. Ring tones, music, images, video etc. should be inaudible and non-disturbing to others. Betting apps and charts may not be used by players with live hands. 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. Violations of this paragraph may be subject to penalties in Rule 71Warnings, Penalties, & Disqualification .
See also:
Rule 71: Warnings, Penalties, & Disqualification

6 : Official Language

The house will clearly post and announce acceptable language(s) at the table.

Seating, Breaking & Balancing Tables

7 : Random Correct Seating

Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly assigned. A player starting in a wrong seat with a correct chip stack will move to the correct seat with his or her current total chip stack.

8 : Alternates, Late Registration, & Re-Entries

  1. 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.
  2. 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 : Breaking Tables Modified 2022

  1. New players entering the tournament and players from a broker table can get any seat including small or big blind or the button and be dealt in except between the SB and button.
  2. Players from a broken table will be assigned new tables and seats by a 2-step random process. See Illustration.
See also:
Illustration 2-Step Random Process.

11 : Balancing Tables and Halting Play Modified 2022

  1. To balance in flop & mixed-games, the player 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. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. The table from which a player is moved will be specified by a predetermined procedure.
  4. Full-table play will halt on tables 3 or more players short (by elimination) than the table with the most players, once the blinds are impacted (See Illustration). 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.
See also:
Illustration: Balancing Tables and Halting Play.

Pots / Showdown

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 he or she thinks a mistake is made in reading hands or calculating and awarding the pot.

13 : Tabling Cards & Killing Winning Hand

  1. Proper tabling is both
    1. turning all cards face up on the table and
    2. allowing the dealer and players to read the hand clearly.
    3. “All cards” means both hole cards in hold’em, all 4 hole cards in Omaha, all 7 cards in 7-stud, etc.
  2. At showdown players must protect their hands while waiting for cards to be read (See also Rule 65Accidentally Killed / Fouled / Exposed Hands). Players who don’t fully table all cards, then muck thinking they’ve won, do so at their own risk. If a hand is not 100% retrievable and identifiable and the TD rules it was not clearly read, the player has no claim to the pot.
    • The TDs decision on whether a hand was sufficiently tabled is final.
  3. Dealers cannot kill a properly tabled hand that was obviously the winner.
See also:
Rule 65: Accidentally Killed / Fouled / Exposed Hands

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 or otherwise rendered irretrievable and unidentifiable.

15 : Showdown and Discarding Irregularities

  1. 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.
  2. If a player bets then discards thinking he or she has 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 and 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.
See also:
Rule 58: Non-Standard Folds

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 his or her hand without tabling. All hands in both the main and side pot(s) must be tabled and are live. See llustration.
See also:
Illustrations: Face Up for All-Ins.

17 : Non All-In Showdowns & Showdown Order

  1. 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.).
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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 his or her cards.
    • TDs discretion governs all other requests such as to see the hand of another caller, or if there was no river bet.
    See Illustration [adopted 2013].
See also:
Illustrations: Asking to See a Hand

19 : Playing the Board at Showdown

To play the board, a player must table all hole cards to get part of the pot (See Rule 13-ATabling Cards & Killing Winning Hand ).
See also:
Rule 13: Tabling Cards & Killing Winning Hand

20 : Awarding Odd ChipsModified 2022

First, odd chips will be broken into the smallest denomination in play.
  1. Board games with 2 or more high or low hands: the odd chip goes to the first seat left of the button.
  2. 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.
  3. H/L split: the odd chip in the total pot goes to the high side.
  4. Deleted in 2022

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 23New Hand & New Limits ). 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.
See also:
Rule 23: New Hand & New Limits

General Procedures

23 : New Hand & New Limits

A new level starts on announcement after the clock reaches zero. 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 SA occurs (Rule 36Substantial Action (SA)).
See also:
Rule 36: Substantial Action (SA)

24 : Chip Race, Scheduled Color Ups

  1. 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 his or her last chip(s) in a race will get 1 chip of the lowest denomination still in play.
  2. Players must have their chips fully visible and are encouraged to witness the chip race.
  3. 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 & Chips Kept Visible, Countable, & Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups

  1. Players, dealers, and the floor are entitled to a reasonable estimation of chip counts; thus, chips should be kept in countable stacks. The TDA recommends 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 cannot look at a chipstack and quickly estimate its value, players likely can’t either.
  2. ➜ 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.
  3. Players must keep live hands in plain view at all times.

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, he or she 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 30At Your Seat and Live Hands). 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 hand is checked. 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 2Player Responsibilities and 70Etiquette Violations.
See also:
Rule 2: Player Responsibilities
Rule 30: At Your Seat and Live Hands
Rule 70: Etiquette Violations

Player Present / Eligible for Hand

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.

Button / Blinds

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 in Heads-up

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.

Dealing Rules

35 : Misdeals and Fouled DecksModified 2022

  1. Misdeals include but are not necessarily limited to:
    1. 2 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 37Button with Too Few Cards);
    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).
  2. Players may be dealt 2 consecutive cards on the button (see also Rule 37Button with Too Few Cards).
  3. In a misdeal, the re-deal is an exact re-play: the button does not move, no new players are seated, and limits stay the same. Cards are dealt to players on penalty or not at their seats for the original deal (Rule 30At Your Seat and Live Hands), then their hands are killed. The original deal and re-deal count as one hand for a player on penalty, not two.
  4. Once substantial action occurs (Rule 36Substantial Action (SA)) 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).
  5. Fouled decks. If 2 or more cards of the same suit and rank are found, the deck is fouled.
    Other fouled deck conditions may be defined by local gaming regulations and house policy.
    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 22Disputed Hands and Pots.
See also:
Rule 22: Disputed Hands and Pots
Rule 30: At Your Seat and Live Hands
Rule 36: Substantial Action (SA)
Rule 37: Button with Too Few Cards

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. See Rules 35-DMisdeals and Fouled Decks & 53-BAction Out of Turn (OOT).
See also:
Rule 35: Misdeals and Fouled Decks
Rule 53: Action Out of Turn (OOT)

37 : Button with Too Few Cards

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 ActionModified 2022

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 (See also RP-14Randomness May be Applied to Special Situations Randomness). 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.
See also:
Illustration: Rule 38: Burns After Substantial Action
RP-14: Randomness May be Applied to Special Situations

39 : Irregular Flops and Premature-Dealt CardsModified 2022

  1. 4-Card Flops. If the flop has 4 rather than 3 cards, exposed or not, and regardless of whether the door card is presumed known, ➜ the floor will be called. The dealer then scrambles the 4 cards face down, the floor randomly selects 1 as the next burn card and the other 3 are the flop (See also RP-14 RandomnessRandomness May be Applied to Special Situations).
  2. If there was no burn on a 3-card flop, exposed or not and regardless of whether the door card is presumed known, if no action has occurred, the 3 cards are scrambled face down, one chosen as the burn. The flop will be the other 2 cards plus the next card off the stub. If any action (even one check) has occurred, play proceeds with the initial 3 cards. Only one card is burned for the turn.
  3. For prematurely dealt cards, see RP-5Prematurely Dealt Cards.
  4. Reshuffling During a Hand. To protect game integrity, anytime the stub must be re-shuffled during the play of a hand, the cards must be shuffled face-down and unexposed. Examples include premature cards (Rule 39Irregular Flops and Premature-Dealt Cards and RP-5Prematurely Dealt Cards), disordered stub (RP-4)Disordered Stub, extra draw or stud cards (RP-10-H)Tournament Stud Dealing Procedures, etc.
See also:
Rule 39: Irregular Flops and Premature-Dealt Cards
RP-4: Disordered Stub
RP-5: Prematurely Dealt Cards
RP-10: Tournament Stud Dealing Procedures
RP-14: Randomness May be Applied to Special Situations

Play: Bets & Raises

40 : Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips

  1. 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.
    See Illustration. See also Rule 57Non-Standard & Unclear Betting.
  2. Verbal declarations may be general (“call”, “raise”), a specific amount only (“one thousand”) or both (“raise, one thousand”).
  3. 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.
See also:
Rule 1: Floor Decisions
Rule 57: Non-Standard & Unclear Betting
Illustrations: Methods of Betting, Unclear or Contradictory Bets.

41 : Methods of Calling

Standard and acceptable forms of calling include:
  1. saying “call”;
  2. pushing out chips equal to a call;
  3. silently pushing out an overchip; or
  4. silently pushing out multiple chips equal to a call under the multi-chip rule (Rule 45Multiple Chip Betting). Silently betting chip(s) relatively tiny to the bet (ex: blinds 2k-4k. A bets 50k, 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.
See also:
Rule 45: Multiple Chip Betting

42 : Methods of Raising

In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by *
  1. pushing out the full amount in one motion;
  2. verbally declaring the full amount prior to pushing out chips.
  • It is the responsibility of players to make their intentions clear.
[Note: 2-motion raises eliminated in 2019].

43 : Raise Amounts

  1. 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-BMultiple Chip Betting). Declaring an amount or pushing out the same amount of chips is treated the same (Rule 40-CMethods of Betting: Verbal and Chips).
    Example: NLHE, opening bet is 1000, verbally declaring “Fourteen hundred” or silently pushing out 1400 in chips are both calls unless raise is first declared. See Illustration.
  2. Without other clarifying information, declaring raise and an amount is the total bet.
    Example: A opens for 2000, B declares “Raise, eight thousand.” The total bet is 8000.
See also:
Rule 40: Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips
Rule 45: Multiple Chip Betting
Illustrations: Raise Amounts.

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 BettingModified 2022

  1. 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.
  2. If every chip is not needed to make the call; i.e. removal of just one of the smallest chips leaves the call amount or more:
    1. if the player has chips remaining, the 50% standard in Rule 43Raise Amounts 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 Illustration.
See also:
Rule 43: Raise Amounts
Illustrations: Multiple Chip Betting.

46 : Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In

  1. 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.
  2. If facing a raise, clearly pulling back a prior bet chip binds a player to call or raise; he or she may not put the chip(s) back out and fold.
  3. If new chip(s) are added silently and the bet is unclear to the house, the call and raise rules 41Methods of Calling and 45Multiple Chip Betting apply as follows:
    1. If prior chips don’t cover the call AND are either left alone OR fully pulled back, an overchip is a call and multiple new chips are subject to the 50% raise standard (Rule 43Raise Amounts).
    2. If prior chips are partly pulled back OR if prior chips cover the call, the combined final chip bet is a raise if reaching the 50% standard (Rules 43Raise Amounts & 45Multiple Chip Betting), if less it is a call.
See Illustration.
See also:
Rule 41: Methods of Calling
Rule 43: Raise Amounts
Rule 45: Multiple Chip Betting
Illustrations: Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In.

47 : Re-Opening the Bet.

  1. 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 43Raise Amounts).
  2. 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.
See also:
Rule 43: Raise Amounts
Illustrations: Re-opening the bet.

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 & is subject to the correct wager or all-in amount. As with all situations, Rule 1 may apply at TD’s discretion. See also RP-12Dealers Should Announce Bets & Raises.
See also:
RP-12: Dealers Should Announce Bets & Raises

50 : Acting in Turn

  1. Players must act in turn verbally and/or by pushing out chips. Action in turn is binding and commits chips to the pot that stay in the pot.
  2. Players must wait for clear bet amounts before acting. Ex: NLHE, A says “raise” (but no amount), and B quickly folds. B should wait to act until A’s raise amount is clear.

51 : Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn

  1. General verbal declarations in turn (such as “call” or “raise”) commit a player to the full current action. See Illustration
  2. 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 (See RP-1All-In Buttons). 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).
    For underbets and underraises, see Rule 52Incorrect Bets, Underbets & Underraises.
  3. 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.
See also:
Rule 52: Incorrect Bets, Underbets & Underraises
Illustrations: Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn
RP-1: All-In Buttons

52 : Incorrect Bets, Underbets & Underraises

  1. 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).
    Example: 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 51Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn.
  2. 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.
See also:
Rule 51: Binding Declarations / Undercalls in Turn
Illustrations: Incorrect Bet Amounts, Pot-Limit Games

53 : Action Out of Turn (OOT)

  1. Any action out of turn (check, call, or raise) will be backed up to the correct player in order. The OOT action is subject to penalty and is binding if action to the OOT player does not change. A check, call or fold by the correct player does not change action. If action changes, the OOT action is not binding; any bet or raise is returned to the OOT player who has all options: call, raise, or fold. An OOT fold is binding. See Illustration.
  2. Players skipped by OOT action must defend their right to act. If a skipped player had reasonable time and does not speak up before substantial action (Rule 36Substantial Action (SA)) OOT occurs after the player, the OOT action is binding.
    • Action backs up and the floor will rule on how to treat the skipped hand given the circumstances, including ruling the hand dead or limiting the player to non-aggressive action. See Illustration.
See also:
Rule 36: Substantial Action (SA)
Illustrations: Action Out of Turn (OOT)
Illustrations: Substantial Action Out of Turn (OOT).

54 : Pot Size & Pot-Limit Bets

  1. Players are entitled to a pot count in pot-limit only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit.
  2. Pre-flop a short all-in blind will not affect calculation of the maximum pot limit bet. Post-flop, bets are based on actual pot size.
  3. Declaring “I bet the pot” is not a valid bet in no-limit but it does bind the player to making a valid bet (at least a minimum bet) and may be subject to penalty. Players facing a bet must make a valid raise.

55 : Invalid Bet Declarations

If a player faces no bet and:
  1. declares “call”, it is a check;
  2. 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

Dealers will call string bets and raises.
See also:
Rule 40: Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips
Rule 42: Methods of Raising

57 : Non-Standard & 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.
Example: 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, 3Player Responsibilities, 40 & 42Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips.
See also:
Rule 2: Player Responsibilities
Rule 3: Official Terminology and Gestures
Rule 40: Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips
Rule 42: Methods of Raising

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. See also 15-BShowdown and Discarding Irregularities.
See also:
Rule 15: Showdown and Discarding Irregularities

59 : Conditional & Premature Declarations

  1. 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.”
  2. If Player A declares “bet” or “raise” and B calls before A’s exact bet amount is known,
    • the TD will rule the bet as best fits the situation including possibly obliging 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 25Cards & Chips Kept Visible, Countable, & Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups). 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 49Accepted Action). Visible and countable chip stacks (Rule 25Cards & Chips Kept Visible, Countable, & Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups) greatly improve counting accuracy.
See also:
Rule 25: Cards & Chips Kept Visible, Countable, & Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups
Rule 49: Accepted Action

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 45Multiple Chip Betting).
See also:
Rule 45: Multiple Chip Betting

62 : All-In with Chips Found Behind Later

  • the TD will determine if the chip behind is part of accepted action (Rule 49Accepted Action).
If not part of the action, A is not paid off for the 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.
See also:
Rule 49: Accepted Action

Play: Other

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 TDA recommends the house 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Etiquette & Penalties

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.

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 66Dead Hands and Mucking in Stud.
See also:
Rule 66: Dead Hands and Mucking in Stud

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 Rule 71Warnings, Penalties, & Disqualification . 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.
See also:
Rule 71: Warnings, Penalties, & Disqualification

71 : Warnings, Penalties, & Disqualification Modified 2022

  1. 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.
  2. A penalty may be invoked for etiquette violations (Rule 70Etiquette Violations), card exposure with action pending, throwing cards, violating one-player-to-a-handNo Disclosure. One Player to a Hand, or similar incidents. Penalties will be given for soft play, abuse, disruptive behavior, 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Chips of a disqualified player shall be removed from play.
See also:
Rule 67: No Disclosure. One Player to a Hand
Rule 70: Etiquette Violations

2022 Recommended Procedures

TDA 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.

RP1 : 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.

RP2 : 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 & increase errors. Only the player currently facing action may ask the dealer to bring-in bets.

RP3 : Personal Belongings

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

RP4 : 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 & prior burns). These should be scrambled, shuffled, cut, & 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.

RP5 : Prematurely Dealt CardsModified 2022

Board and burn cards are sometimes dealt prematurely, before action on the preceding round is finished. The general procedures for these situations are:
  1. 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.
  2. A premature turn card leave the turn burn card as the burn. Return the premature turn card to the deck stub and reshuffle the entire stub. Re-deal the turn (without another burn) from the newly shuffled stub.
  3. 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.
  4. Premature card in stud, the premature card is returned to the stub, the stub is re-shuffled, and a new street is dealt from the newly shuffled stub without another burn.

RP6 : 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, 11Breaking Tables & 63Chips Out of View and in Transit).
See also:
Rule 10: Breaking Tables
Rule 11: Balancing Tables and Halting Play
Rule 63: Chips Out of View and in Transit

RP7 : Timing of Dealer Pushes

The TDA recommends that dealers hold up the push 90 seconds prior to a scheduled break or a level change. This avoids having time expire in crucial stages of the game.

RP8 : Hand for Hand Procedures

  1. 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 will be eligible for a share of the place(s) paid on the current hand. Example: NLHE tournament paying 50 players. 52 players remain when the announcement is made and during the current hand 3 players bust. All 3 players will share in the 50th place payout.
  2. During H4H play, each hand will run the same pre-determined amount of time off the clock regardless of how long the hand actually takes. The TDA standard is 2-minutes per hand. The 2-minute run-off starts with the current hand at time of announcement. Example: 17:30 remains in the current level when “finish the current hand…” is announced. At the start of the next hand the clock is set to 15:30. At the start of the following hand it is set to 13:30 and so on.
  3. 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.
  4. Blinds continue to increase as time elapses off the clock at the rate of 2 minutes per hand and new levels are reached.
  5. Players are encouraged but not required to remain seated during H4H play.
  6. 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.

RP9 : 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.

RP10 : Tournament Stud Dealing Procedures

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Cards of a player not at his or her seat (See Rule 30At Your Seat and Live Hands) for the deal will be killed. No cards will be dealt to a hand on 4th street that is not live.
  4. 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.
  5. If the player 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.
  6. Bets will not be doubled on 4th street for a pair showing.
  7. For premature cards dealt in stud see RP-5-DPrematurely Dealt Cards.
  8. 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:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. If a community card is in play, the first player who would act on 6th street will be first to act on 7th street.
See also:
Rule 30: At Your Seat and Live Hands
RP-5: Prematurely Dealt Cards

RP11 : No Ante ReductionModified 2022

Antes should not be reduced (including at the final table) as play progresses in the event.

RP12 : Dealers Should Announce Bets & 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. Accepted action continues to apply (Rule 49Accepted Action). Scheduled and discretionary color-ups improve bet countability.
See also:
Rule 49: Accepted Action

RP13 : 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.

RP14 : Randomness May be Applied to Special Situations

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

RP15 : Proper Tournament Staff CommunicationNew 2022

  1. Outgoing dealers should inform incoming dealers of pertinent information regarding the table. Examples include: blind information, players on warning or penalties, disruptive behavior.
  2. The dealer should inform the floor of all existing and potential infractions of Rule 2 (Player Responsibilities)Player Responsibilities and Rule 70 (Etiquette)Etiquette Violations. Special emphasis on any discriminatory or offensive behavior in general or towards specific players or staff.

RP16 : Player Absent on a Breaking TableNew 2022

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

RP17 : Tournament Draw Betting ProceduresNew 2022

Limping is allowed in all single-draw games.

RP18 : Order of Mixed GamesNew 2022

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

RP19 : Reducing StallingNew 2022

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.
Some methods successfully used by TDA member houses include:
Random table breaks instead of table draws, using fixed # of hands per level, going orbit for orbit, soft hand for hand, and adding a shot clock.

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