GENTING POKER SERIES TOURNAMENT
RULES
General Concepts
1. Floor People
Floor people are to consider the best interest of the game and
fairness as the top priority in the decision-making process.
Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate that decisions in the
interest of fairness take priority over the technical rules. The
floor person's decision is final.
2. Official Language
The English-only rule will be enforced in the card room during the
play of hands.
3. Official Terminology of Tournament Play
Official terms are simple, unmistakable, time-honoured
declarations like: bet, raise, call, fold, check, all-in, pot (in
pot limit only) and complete. Regional terms may also meet this
standard. The use of non-standard language is at a player's risk
because it may result in a ruling other than what the player
intended. It is the player's responsibility to make their
intentions clear.
See Rules 36 & 44
4. Communication
Players may answer the phone while at the poker table. Mobile /
Cell Phone or other communication devices should be switched to
silent during the tournament. The Card Room Manager may ask a
player to step away from the table if they feel that they are
slowing the game down whilst on the phone. All electronic devices
may be asked to be removed if the Card Room Manager feels that the
device is interfering with the smooth running of the game or
slowing down play.
Phones / mobile devices / laptops / tablets are not permitted to
be used under any circumstances on the TV table and / or final
table.
Seating Players; Breaking & Balancing
Tables
5. Random Seats
Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly assigned. A player
who started the tournament in the wrong seat with the correct chip
stack will be removed to the correct seat and take his current
total chip stack with him.
6. Special Needs
Accommodations for players with special needs will be made when
possible.
7. Breaking Tables
Players going from a broken table to fill in seats assume the
rights and responsibilities of the position. They can get the big
blind, the small blind, or the button. The only place they cannot
get a hand is between the small blind and the button.
8. Balancing Tables
In flop and mixed games when balancing tables, players will be
moved from the big blind to the worst position, including taking a
single big blind when available, even if that means the seat will
have the big blind twice. Worst position is never the small
blind. The table from which a player is moved will be as specified
by a predetermined procedure. In stud-only games,
players will be moved by position (the last seat to open up at the
short table is the seat to be filled). Play will halt on any
table that is three or more players short.
9. Number of Players at Final Table
Unless otherwise stated, in flop games, the final table will
consist of nine/ ten (9/10) players. In stud-type games, the
final table will consist of nine (9) players.
Pots / Showdown
10. Declarations
Cards speak. Verbal declarations as to the content of a
player's hand are not binding; however, any player deliberately
miscalling his or her hand may be penalized.
11. Face Up for All-Ins
All cards will be turned face up once a player is all-in and all
betting action is complete.
12. Showdown Order
In a non-all-in showdown, at the last round of betting, the player
who made the last aggressive action must show first. If there was
no bet in the last round, the player to the left of the button show
first and so on clockwise.
Last Man Standing - If after the last round of betting on the
river, the action is heads up and the aggressor mucks his hand
after being called, then the player who called does not need to
show his hole cards to claim the pot, the aggressor cannot request
to see the caller's cards, as he has relinquished all rights to the
pot by mucking he has also relinquished all rights to see the
caller's cards.
In stud, the player with the high board must show first. In razz,
the lowest board shows first.
13. Playing the Board at Showdown
A player must show all hole cards when playing the board to get
part of the pot.
14. Asking to see a Hand
Except where house policy requires a hand to be shown or provides
an express right to see a hand on request, asking to see a hand is
a privilege granted at the TD's discretion to protect the integrity
of the game (suspicion of invalid hand, collusion etc). This
privilege is not to be abused. A player who mucks his hand face
down at showdown without fully tabling it loses any right he may
have to ask to see any hand. Only players actively involved in the
hand may request to see another player's cards.
15. Killing a Winning Hand
Dealers cannot kill a winning hand that was tabled and was
obviously the winning hand. Players are encouraged to assist in
reading tabled hands if it appears that an error is about to be
made.
16. Awarding Odd Chips
The odd chip will go to the high hand. In flop games when there
are two or more high hands or two or more low hands, the odd
chip(s) will go to the left of the button. In stud games, the odd
chip will go to the high card by suit. However, when hands have
identical value (e.g., a wheel in Omaha/8) the pot will be split as
evenly as possible.
17. Side Pots
Each side pot will be split separately.
18. Disputed Pots
The right to dispute a hand ends when a new hand begins. (See rule
#19.)
General Procedures
19. New Hand & New Limits
When time has elapsed in a round and a new level is announced,
either electronically or by a member of the tournament staff, the
new level applies to the next hand. A hand begins with the first
riffle. If an automatic shuffler is being used, the hand begins
when the green button is pushed.
20. Chip Race
When it is time to color-up chips, they will be raced off with a
maximum of one chip going to any player. The chip race will always
start in the No.1 seat. A player cannot be raced out of a
tournament: a player who loses his or her remaining chip(s) in a
chip race will be given one chip of the smallest denomination still
in play. Players are encouraged to witness the chip race.
21. Chip Stacks kept Visible & Countable
Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of an opponent's
chip count: thus chips should be kept in countable stacks. Players
must keep their higher denomination chips visible and identifiable
at all times. Tournament Directors will control the number &
denomination of chips in play and may colour up at their
discretion. Discretionary colour ups are to be announced.
22. 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.
23. Re-buys
A player may not miss a hand. If a player announces the intent to
rebuy before a new hand, that player is playing chips behind and is
obligated to make the re-buy.
24. Calling for a Clock
Once a reasonable amount of time has passed and as soon as the
clock is called for the floor will be called to the table. A player
will be given a maximum of one minute to make a decision. If action
has not been taken before time expires, there will be a 10-second
countdown. If a player has not acted by the time the countdown is
over, the player's hand will be dead. A Dealer cannot call the
clock. A player may call for the clock whilst play is hand for
hand.
25. Rabbit Hunting
No rabbit hunting is allowed. Rabbit hunting is revealing
any of the cards "that would have come" if the hand had not
ended.
Player Present / Eligible for Hand
26. At Your Seat
A player must be at his or her seat before the first card has been
dealt. A player must be at his/her seat to call time.
27. Action Pending
A player must remain at the table if he has a live hand.
Button / Blinds
28. Dead Button
Tournament play will use a dead button.
29. Dodging Blinds
A player who intentionally dodges any blind when moving from a
broken table will incur a penalty.
30. Button in Heads-up
In heads-up play, the small blind is on the button and acts first
pre-flop and last on all subsequent betting rounds. The last card
is dealt to the button. When beginning heads-up play, the button
may need to be adjusted to ensure no player takes the big blind
twice in a row.
Dealing Errors
31. Misdeals
In stud-type games, if any of the player's two down cards are
exposed due to dealer error it is a misdeal. In flop games,
misdeals include but are not necessarily limited to:
• exposure of one of the first two cards
• two or more exposed or boxed cards
• first card dealt to the wrong seat
• cards dealt to a seat that is not entitled to a hand
• a seat entitled to a hand is dealt out
• a card goes off the table
If substantial action occurs a misdeal cannot be declared and the
hand must proceed.
32. Substantial Action
Substantial action is defined as either:
• any two actions in turn, at least one of which must involve
putting chips in the pot (i.e. any 2 actions except 2 checks or 2
folds)
OR
• any combination of three actions in turn (check, bet
,raise, call or fold)
33. Four Card Flop
If the flop contains 4 (rather than 3) cards, whether exposed or
not, a floor person will be called and the 4 cards and the
remaining deck shall be reshuffled and a new flop dealt.
Play: Bets & Raises
34. Verbal Declarations / Acting in Turn
Players must act in turn. Verbal declarations in turn are binding.
Chips placed in the pot in turn must stay in the pot.
35. Action Out of Turn
Action out of turn will be binding if the action to that player
has not changed. A check, call or fold does not change action. If
action changes, the out of turn bet is not binding and is returned
to the out of turn player who has all options including: calling,
raising or folding. An out of turn fold is binding.
Any player acting or folding out of turn may be liable to a
penalty at the end of the hand.
36. Methods of Raising
In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by (1) placing the
full amount in the pot in one motion; or (2) verbally declaring the
full amount prior to the initial placement of chips into the pot;
or (3) verbally declaring "raise" prior to the placement of the
amount to call into the pot and then completing the action with one
additional motion. It is the player's responsibility to make his
intentions clear.
37. Raises
A raise must be at least the size of the largest previous bet or
raise of the current betting round. If a player puts in a
raise of 50% or more of the previous bet but less than the minimum
raise, he or she must make a full raise. The raise will be exactly
the minimum raise allowed (see exception for multiple
same-denomination chips Rule 39). In no-limit and pot limit, an
all-in wager of less than a full raise does not reopen the betting
to a player who has already acted.
38. Oversized Chip
Anytime when facing a bet (or blind), placing a single oversized
chip in the pot is a call if a raise is not first verbally
declared. To raise with a single oversized chip, a declaration must
be made before the chip hits the table surface. If a raise is
declared (but not an amount), the raise is the maximum allowable
for that chip. When not facing a bet, placing an oversized chip in
the pot without declaration is a bet of the maximum for the
chip.
39. Multiple Chips Betting
When facing a bet, unless a raise is first declared, multiple
same-denomination chips is a call if removing one chip leaves less
than the call amount. Example of a call: pre flop, blinds 200-400:
A raises to 1200 total (an 800 raise), B puts out two 1000 chips
without declaring raise. This is just a call because removing one
1000 chip leaves less than the amount needed to call the 1200 bet.
Placing chips of mixed denominations in the pot is governed by the
50% standard in Rule 37.
40. Number of Allowable Raises
There is no cap on the number of raises in no-limit and pot-limit
play. In limit events there will be a limit to raises even when
heads-up until the tournament is down to two players; the house
limit will apply.
41. 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 the
dealer or players. If a caller requests a count but receives
incorrect information from the dealer or players, then places that
amount in the pot, the caller is assumed to accept the full correct
action and is subject to the correct wager or all-in amount. As
with all tournament situations, should this happen, the floor must
be called straightaway and Rule 1 may apply at the TD's
discretion.
42. Pot Size & Pot Limit Bets
Players are entitled to be informed of the pot size in all games;
however a Supervisor may bar a player from asking the pot size in a
Limit or No Limit game if they feel this rule is being abused. A
player declaring, "I bet the pot", in a No Limit game means that on
this first occasion and only on this occasion, the pot will be
counted and the player will bet the size of the pot, the floor must
be called and the player will be warned that, "I bet the pot" is
not a normal term in a No Limit game.
43. String Bets and Raises
Dealers will be responsible for calling string bets and
raises.
44. 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, whenever the size of a declared bet can have
multiple meanings, it will be ruled as the lesser value. Example,
"I bet five", if it is unclear whether "five" means 500 or 5000,
the bet stands at 500. See Rules 3 & 36.
45. Non-Standard Folds
Any time before the end of the last betting round of a hand,
folding in turn when facing a check or folding out of turn are both
binding folds and may be subject to a penalty.
46. Conditional Statements
Conditional statements regarding future action are non-standard
and strongly discouraged; they may be binding and/or subject to
penalty at the TD's discretion. Example: "if - then" statements
such as "If you bet, then I will raise".
Play: Other
47. Chips in Transit
Players may not hold or transport tournament chips in any manner
that takes them out of view. A player who does so will forfeit the
chips and will face disqualification. The forfeited chips will be
taken out of play.
48. Accidentally Killed / Fouled Hands
Players must protect their own hands at all times. If a dealer
kills a hand by mistake, or a hand is fouled, the player will have
no redress and is not entitled to a refund of bets. If the player
initiated a bet or raise and hasn't been called, the uncalled bet
or raise will be returned to the player.
49. Dead Hands in Stud
In stud poker, if a player picks up the upcards while facing
action, the hand is dead.
Etiquette & Penalties
50. Penalties and Disqualification
A penalty MAY be invoked if a player exposes any card with action
pending, throws a card off the table, violates the
one-player-to-a-hand rule, or similar incidents take place.
Penalties WILL be invoked in cases of soft play, abuse, disruptive
behavior, or cheating. Penalties available to the TD include verbal
warnings and "missed hand" penalties, and disqualification. Except
for a one-hand penalty, missed hand penalties will be assessed as
follows: The offender will miss one hand for every player,
including the offender, who is at the table when the penalty is
given multiplied by the number of rounds specified in the
penalty. For the period of the penalty, the offender shall
remain away from the table but will continue to be dealt in.
Tournament staff can assess a one-hand penalty, one-, two-,
three-, or four-round penalties or disqualification. A player who
is disqualified shall have his or her chips removed from play.
Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties.
51. No Disclosure
Players are obligated to protect the other players in the
tournament at all times. Therefore, players, whether in the hand or
not, may not:
1. Disclose contents of live or folded hands,
2. Advise or criticize play at any time,
3. Read a hand that hasn't been tabled.
The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced.
52. Exposing Cards
A player who exposes his cards with action pending may incur a
penalty, but will not have a dead hand. The penalty will begin at
the end of the hand.
53. Ethical Play
Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result in penalties,
which may include forfeiture of chips and/or disqualification. Chip
dumping and/or all other forms of collusion will result in
disqualification.
54. Etiquette Violations
Repeated etiquette violations will result in penalties. Examples
include, but are not limited to, unnecessarily touching other
players' cards or chips, delay of the game, repeatedly acting out
of turn or excessive chatter.
Other
55. Alternates & Re-Entries
Anybody entering the tournament after it has started, for
instance, alternates and re-entries will NOT have to post a late
entry penalty (i.e. small & big blinds). They will start with a
full stack.
56. Exposing Flop Cards Prematurely
If the flop card is exposed before all action in the betting round
has finished then the following shall happen;
• One card exposed, then the second and third cards of the
flop are dealt face down, burn a card and deal the turn face down,
burn a card and deal the river face down, the exposed card and the
rest of the deck will now be shuffled and the top card will be the
first card of the flop, turn the rest of the flop over and continue
as normal.
• Two cards exposed, then the third card of the flop is dealt
face down, burn a card and deal the turn face down, burn a card and
deal the river face down, the exposed cards and the rest of the
deck will now be shuffled and the top card will be the first card
of the flop and the second card will be the second card of the
flop, turn the rest of the flop over and continue as normal.
• Three cards exposed, then burn a card and deal the turn
face down, burn a card and deal the river face down, the exposed
cards and the rest of the deck will now be shuffled and the top
card will be the first card of the flop and the second card will be
the second card of the flop and the third card will be the third
card of the flop, then continue as normal.
57. Exposing the Turn Card Prematurely
If the turn card is exposed before all action in the betting round
has finished then the following shall happen; the premature turn
card shall be removed from the board, the top card from the deck
shall be the third burn card and the next card from the deck shall
be placed face down as the new turn card, the prematurely exposed
card and the rest of the deck will now be shuffled and when ready
the top card will be the river card.
58. Exposing the River Card Prematurely
If the river card is exposed before all the action in the betting
round has finished then the following shall happen; the premature
river card and the rest of the deck will now be shuffled and the
top card will be the river card.
59. Publicity
By participating in a poker tournament players consent to
participate in such reasonable publicity as Genting Casinos UK Ltd
shall in its discretion decide, including, press releases, events
reports, results listings and press coverage and players further
consent to having details of their name and the amount, if any, won
by them included in such publicity. This publicity will include
postings on Circuspoker.com, Gentingpoker.com, blogs and forums. In
the event that the tournament is televised or filmed, players agree
to take part in this coverage and acknowledge and agree that they
will not receive any payment for this or have any rights over such
coverage. Any player wishing to remain anonymous on externally
published results must inform the Tournament Director prior to the
event commencing.
60. Card Room Magic
The Cardroom Magic software 'chips in play' count should not be
used to make decisions during the game. It is only an
indicative figure and can be affected by such factors as, but not
limited to; Chip Races, Bonus Chips, Lost Chips. A chip count
of your opponents' chips can be requested from the dealer or card
room staff at any time.
Genting Poker Series Specific Rules
61.Late Registration
Registration closes as detailed below:
Main Event (3
Days):
End of Level 9
Side Event (2 Days):
End of First
Break
Side Event (1
Day):
End of First Break
62.First Hand Button
Seat 1 is always the button at the start of each day's
play. Seat 2 is therefore the small blind, and seat 3 is the
Big Blind.
63.End of Days Play
At some point during the last level of play, on a multi day
tournament, the TD will randomly select a card numbering 4, 5, 6 or
7. This will be the number of hands required to be dealt
before the end of play.
64.Deals
For all deals, regardless of the sentiment at the table, each
player must be given 2 cards, one red and one black. Players
are to return to the dealer, face down, a card to represent their
vote. Black Cards are a YES vote, Red Cards are a NO
vote. If all cards returned are Black, players will given a
time out where the clock is paused for no longer than 20 minutes.
Players will be provided with details of the current chip counts
and money left in the prize pool. During the time out, the players
will be accompanied by one of the senior team at the event, who
will simply ensure the discussion is a proper one, and that some
players are not being pressurised into making a deal. The
member of staff will have no say whether the nature of the deal
proposed is fair. Once the players have reached agreement, or 20
minutes have passed, players will be issued with a Red and Black
card again. If all cards returned are black, the deal is agreed and
the casino will process the payouts as per the deal agreed. If one
of the cards is red, the deal is not agreed and play will
continue.
The dealer will shuffle the returned cards and turn them
over. If they are all black, the deal is agreed, if there are
any reds, the deal is not agreed and play should continue.
In the event of a time out being taken and a deal not being
made, players are not permitted another time out until a further
player has been eliminated.
65.Exceptions
In all cases the decision of the TD is final, and will be made
in the best interests of the tournament.
GENTING POKER SERIES CASH GAME RULES
General Concepts
1. Card Room Supervisors
Card Room Supervisors are to consider
the best interest of the game and fairness as the top priority in
the decision-making process. Unusual circumstances can on occasion
dictate that decisions in the interest of fairness take priority
over the technical rules. The Card Room Supervisor's decision is
final.
2. Official Language
The English-only rule will be enforced
in the card room during the play of hands.
3. Communication
Phone / Text / Internet use on a mobile device, tablet, laptop
is permitted provided it does not interrupt the flow of the game.
The Cash Game supervisor may request a player stops using a device,
if it is affecting the flow of the game.
4.Staffing the Cash Games
All cash games will be started by a supervisor and will have a
dealer. Self deal cash games are not permitted.
Money and Chips
5.Exchange
Cash will be exchanged for chips by a Supervisor or Cashier
6.Playing Behind
Players are only permitted to have money "playing behind" if the
supervisor is exchanging it for chips.
7.Chips in Play
Only chips on the table at the start of a hand are in play for
that pot, with the exception of chips that are in transit from the
cashier / supervisor, and where the table has been informed by the
Supervisor prior to the hand starting of the value of the chips in
transit.
8.Adding Additional Chips
Players may add additional chips of any amount to their stack
between deals, providing they have not been All-In during the
previous hand. If they were All-In they must buy-in for at
least the minimum of the table sit down.
9.Players With No Chips
Players with no chips, who request a hand without stating the
amount they are buying in for, must buy-in for the minimum buy-in
for that table.
10.Players All-In
Players who were All-In on the previous hand and lost, are
permitted to buy-in for less than that minimum amount once
only.
11.Incidentals
Chips at the table can be used to pay for incidentals such as,
but not limited to drinks, food, cigarettes, fees, tips.
12.Removing Chips From Play
Players are not permitted to remove any chips from play on a
table (known as weeding)
13.Playing Over
Playing over is permitted, provided it is in reserve list
order. A play-over box will be issued to ensure that no chips
are removed from play.
14.Loaning Chips
Players are not permitted to loan other players money with chips
from the table.
15.Visibility of Chips
Players must ensure all chips are visible, with high
denomination chips clearly on display. Players have the right
to ask other players how much they have in play.
16.Antes
Antes are not permitted during cash games.
Seating, Reserving and Leaving
17.Reserve List
Once a table is filled a reserve list will be available and
seats allocated in list order.
18.Taking Your Seat
Players have 10 minutes to claim their allocated seat before it
is re-allocated.
19.Moving Tables
Players are permitted to move to different tables, provided
their name is on the relevant reserve list, and they move in
reserve list order.
20.Leaving Games
Players may leave games at any time, however, if the player
returns to the same game, within 1 hour, they must sit down with
the amount they left with, regardless of the table limits.
Other Rules
21.Rake and Session Fees
An hourly session fee or rake will be charged. Hourly
Session fees will be paid in advance for the forthcoming hour, as
requested by the Supervisor. Rake is taken on a per pot
basis. Fees and Rakes vary and will be displayed in club and
on the Genting Poker Series website.
22.Button
For cash games with the exception of Dealers Choice, the small
blind will be off the button (player to immediate left of Dealer
button), for Dealers Choice, the small blind will be on the button
(the player with the Dealer button, is the small blind). Button
position is determined by high card at the start of the game.
23.Straddles
Straddles are allowed in cash games with blinds of £1.00 / £2.00
or more. Straddles must be done in betting order, and must be
twice the Big Blind, or previous straddle.
24.Etiquette
The supervisor reserves the right to sanction or remove a player
from the cash game in the event of the player acting in a manner
deemed inappropriate or unsuitable for the game.
Acknowledgements
These rules are based on the TDA Rules
(http://www.pokertda.com/poker-tda-rules/), incorporating some
specific Genting rules, and the Board Irregularities sections from
the International Federation of Poker website http://int.pokerfed.org/rules