Rules

Mike’s Poker Tables has adopted the following rules which are a modified version commonly known as “Robert’s rules of poker”. Where there is a conflict, these written rules will take precedence.

The tournament

By participating in any tournament, you agree to abide by the rules and behave in a courteous manner. A violator may be verbally warned, suspended from play, for specified length of time, or disqualified from the tournament. Chips from a disqualified participant will be removed from play.

Whenever possible, all rules are the same as those that apply to live games.
Initial seating is determined by random draw or assignment.
The appropriate starting amount of chips will be placed on the table for each paid entrant at the beginning of the event, whether the person is present or not. Absent players will be dealt in, and all chips necessary for antes and blinds will be put into the pot.
If the paid entrant is absent at the start of the event, his chips will be blinded at the director’s discretion.
A starting stack of chips may be placed in a seat to accommodate late entries, so all antes and blinds can be properly posted.
Limits and blinds are raised at regularly scheduled intervals.
If there is a signal designating the end of a betting level, the new limit applies on the next deal. A deal begins with the first rifle of the shuffle.
The lowest denomination of chip will be removed from the table when it is no longer needed in the blind or ante structure. All lower denomination chips that are of sufficient quantity for a new chip will be changed up directly. The method for removal of odd chips is “rounding up”
An absent player is always dealt a hand and will post all blinds and antes.
A player must be present at the table to stop the action by calling “time”.
A player must be at the table by the time all players have their complete starting hands in order to have a live hand for that deal. The dealer is instructed to kill the hand of all non-seated players immediately after dealing each player a starting hand.
As players are eliminated tables are broken and players will be assigned to empty seats at other tables. The director or assistant will give the incoming players seats relatively close to their previous position.
The change of seats is not allowed after play starts except as assigned by the director.
With more than six tables in button games, if a player is needed to move from a table to balance tables, a player from a higher populated table will be automatically selected to move and will be given the seat as close to the same position as possible.
New players are dealt in immediately and take over the obligations of that position including the blinds or button position
The number of players at each table will be kept reasonably balanced by the transfer of players as needed. With more than six tables table size will be kept within two players. With six tables or less, table size will be kept within 2 players.
There is no is a redraw for seating
A player who declares all in and loses the pot, then discovers that one or more chips were hidden is not entitled to benefit from this. A player is eliminated from the tournament if the opponent had sufficient chips to cover the hidden ones. If another deal has not yet started, the director may rule the chips belong to the opponent who won that pot, if that obviously would have happened with the chips out in plain view. If the next deal has started, the discovered chips are removed from the tournament.
If a player lacks sufficient chips for a blind the player is entitled to get action on whatever amount of money is left in his stack. A player who posts a short blind and wins does not need to make up the blind.
All players must leave their seats immediately after being eliminated from an event.
Showing cards from live hand during the action injures the rights of the other players still competing in an event who wish to see contestants eliminated.
A player must either use a verbal statement giving the amount of the raise or put the chips into the pot in a single motion, otherwise it is considered a string bet which is not allowed.
Non tournament chips are not allowed on the table
Higher denomination chips must be placed where they are easily visible to all other players at the table.
All tournament chips must remain visible on the table throughout the event. Chips taken off the table or pocketed will be removed from the event, and a player who was caught doing so maybe disqualified.
The deck is not changed on request.

Poker etiquette

The following actions are improper, and grounds for warning, suspending, or barring a violator. Deliberately acting out of turn; deliberately splashing chips into the pot; reading a hand for another player at the show down before it has been placed face up on the table; telling anyone to turn a hand face up at the show down; revealing the contents of a live hand in multi-handed pot before the betting is complete; revealing the contents of a folded hand before the betting is complete; needlessly stalling the action of the game; deliberately discarding hands away from the muck; stacking chips in a matter that interferes with dealing or viewing the cards; making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the course of play; using a cell phone at the table.

Winning the tournament

The final player remaining with all the chips will be the first prize winner. The last player eliminated will be the second prize winner, the second to last player eliminated will be the third prize winner, etc. If more than one player is eliminated on the same hand the player with more chips at the start of the hand will be the higher place finisher.

Late players

Players who had committed their attendance to the tournament director but have not arrived by the deal of the first hand will, at the tournament director’s discretion, be assigned a seat and issued chips.

Timer use and breaks

When the blinds timer expires, it shall be immediately restarted. The next hand will be dealt at the new blind level. For the purpose of this rule, a hand is considered currently in play with the first rifle of the deck. Blinds and antes do not have to be posted. Breaks will be at the discretion of the tournament director. The timer is stopped during breaks and during any disputes that occur which require attention from the tournament director to resolve.

Seating

Each table will seat a maximum of nine players and one dealer. Players will be distributed as evenly as possible between all tables. Seat No. 1 will be the seat to the immediate left of the dealer.

First dealer button

Players will take their assigned seats, and the dealer button will be announced at the start of the tournament.

Moving players

The tournament director will make a valid effort to keep the number of players per table as even as possible. When the number of tables has been reduced to 6 or less and the number of players differs by more than 2 between any two tables 1 player must move from the highest populated table to the lowest populated table. A moved player will be dealt a hand at the start of the next deal and assume any obligations of the new seat including the posting of a blind.

Dead button rule

If a big blind busts out and is not replaced by a player from another table, the button moves to the player who posted the small blind and the player to the left of the former big blind assumes the big blind. There is no small blind for that hand. On the following deal, the button moves to that now empty seat (the seat vacated by the eliminated big blind player) and the two players to the left post the normal blinds. This will result in the same player being the dealer two hands in a row. When the small blind busts out and is not replaced by a player from another table, the button does not move. The player who was the big blind will now post the small blind and the player to his left will post the big blind. This will result in the same player being the dealer two hands in a row.

Players leaving

If before the deal, a player leaves the table for any reason and will return before 20 minutes are up, he will be responsible for all and antes and blinds and will be dealt cards but cannot win any hand unless seated before the deal. If the absent player is the big-blind and in the first round of betting all players fold up to the small-blind position the dealer shall award both blinds to the small-blind player. Players remaining at the table or another person designated by the absentee under the dealer’s supervision, will post all antes and blinds for the absent player. If the missing player is moved to another table, his chips will be moved, and he will continue to blind appropriately at the new table. Any player who does not return will continue to be responsible for blinds. There are no refunds or cash outs given to a player who leaves after the first hand of the tournament has been dealt.

In a private tournament an absent player will not be awarded any prize.

The tournament director

The tournament director is responsible for all tables, seating and dealer decisions. The tournament director is responsible for the handling of the timer although may delegate this task to any one at his discretion. In the case of disputes and rules interpretations, the tournament director will have final authority. If the dispute involves the tournament director a third party will be appointed to resolve the dispute.

The play

The player to the left of the button posts a small blind.
The player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind.
Each player, beginning with the player to the left of the button is dealt two cards face down.
The first betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind. All succeeding players may fold, check, call or raise as appropriate when called upon to act.
The dealer burns one card and turns three community cards face up.
The second betting round begins with the player to the left of the button.
The dealer burns one card and turns one community card face up.
The third betting round begins with the player to the left of the button.
The dealer burns one card and turns one community card face up.
The fourth, and final, betting round begins with the players to the left of the button.
Card showdown with the Pot being awarded to the winner or winners.
The button is advanced clockwise one player.

The hand

The hand begins with the first shuffle of the deck.
The dealer shall ensure that all blinds and antes have been properly posted.
The dealer shall cut the deck using a cut card.
The dealer is responsible for running the game as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The dealer shall prompt players to act when it is their turn.
The dealer shall ensure the proper number of chips goes into the pot.
The dealer shall award the pot.
The dealer shall assure the proper procedures are followed.

The pot

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

Burning cards

Before burning a card, the dealer shall lightly tap the table.
Burn cards are placed facedown under the edge of the pot.
Burn cards are to remain on the table separate from the muck until a pot is awarded to the winning player.

Dealer verbal announcements

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

The showdown

A called player must show all cards in the hand face up on the table to win any part of the pot.
If everyone checks, or is all in, on the final betting round, a player who acted first is the first to show the hand. If there is wagering on the final betting round, the last player to take aggressive action by the bet or raise is the first to show the hand.
Cards speak (cards read for themselves). The dealer assists in reading hands, but players are responsible for holding onto their cards until the winner is declared.
Suits never break a tie for a winning pot.
In determining the winning hand, if all five cards are not used to make the hand, the rank of the side cards (kicker) shall determine which hand is better.
If hands tie, any odd chips will be awarded to the first hand clockwise from the button.
After the show down the dealer shall push (award) the pot to the winner and then advance the dealer button clockwise one player.

When only two players remain

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

Decision-making

Management reserves the right to make decisions in the spirit of fairness, even if a strict interpretation of the rules may indicate a different ruling.
Decisions of the tournament director are final.
The proper time to draw attention to an error or irregularity is when it occurs or is first noticed. Any delay may affect the ruling.
If an incorrect rule interpretation or decision by an employee is made in good faith, the establishment has no liability.
A ruling may be made regarding a pot if it has been requested before the next deal starts. Otherwise, the result of the deal must stand. The shuffle marks the start for a new deal.
If a pot has been incorrectly awarded and mingled with chips that were not in the pot, management may determine how much was in the pot by reconstructing the betting and then transfer the amounts to the proper player.
To keep the action moving it is possible that game may be asked to continue even though a decision is delayed for short time. The delay may cause that pot or portion thereof be impounded by the house while the decision is pending.
The same action may have a different meaning, depending on who does it so the possible intent of the offender will be taken into consideration. Some factors are the person’s amount of poker experience and past record.

Misdeals

The following circumstances cause a misdeal, provided attention is called to the error before two players have acted on their hands. If two players have acted in turn, the deal must be played to conclusion as explained in rule No. 2.
1. The first or second card of a hand has been dealt face up or exposed to dealer error.
2. Two or more cards have been exposed by the dealer.
3. Two or more boxed cards (improperly faced cards) are found.
4. Two or more extra cards have been dealt in the starting hands of the game.
5. An incorrect number of cards have been dealt to a player, except the top card may be dealt if it goes to the player in proper sequence.
6. Any card has been dealt out of the proper sequence (except an exposed card may be replaced by the burn card).
7. The button was out of position.
8. The first card was dealt to the wrong position.
9. Cards have been dealt to an empty seat or a player not entitled to hand.
10. A player has been dealt out who was entitled to hand. This player must be present at the table or have posted a blind or ante.

2. Once action occurs, a misdeal can no longer be declared. The hand will be played to conclusion, and no money will be returned to any player whose hand is fouled. In button games, action is considered to occur when two players after the blinds have acted on their hands.

Dead hands

Your hand is declared dead if:
1. You fold or announce that you’re folding when facing a bet or a raise.
2. You throw your hand away into forward motion causing another player to act behind you, even if not facing a bet.
3. Your hand does not contain the proper number of cards.
4. You act on a hand with a joker as a hole card in a game not using a joker. A player who acted without looking at his cards assumes the liability of finding any improper card.
5. You have the clock on you when facing a bet or raise and exceed the specified time limit.

2. Cards thrown into the muck may be ruled dead. However, a hand that is clearly identifiable may be retrieved at the management’s discretion if doing so is in the best interest of the game. We will make an extra effort to rule a hand retrievable if it was folded because of incorrect information given to the player.

3. Cards thrown into in other players hand are dead, whether they are face up or face down.

Irregularities

In button games, if it is discovered that the button was placed incorrectly on the previous hand, the button and blinds will be corrected for the new hand in a manner that gives every player one chance for each position on the round if possible.
You must always protect your own hand. Your cards may be protected with your hands, a chip, or other object placed on top of them. If you fail to protect your hand, you’ll have no redress if it becomes fouled or a dealer accidentally kills it.
If a card with a different color back appears during a hand, all action is void and all chips will be returned to the respective bettors. If a card with a different color back is discovered in the stub, all action stands.
If two cards of the same rank and suit are found, all action is void and all chips in the pot are returned to the players who wagered them.
A player who knows the deck is defective has an obligation to point this out. If such a player instead tries to win a pot by taking aggressive action, the player may lose the right to a refund, and the chips may be required to stay in the pot for the next deal.
If there is extra money in the pot on a deal because of forfeited money from the previous deal as suggested in rule No. 5, only a player dealt to on the previous deal is entitled to a hand.
A card discovered face up in the deck will be treated as a meaningless scrap of paper. A card being treated as a scrap of paper will be replaced by the next card below it in the deck, except when the next card has already been dealt face down to another player and mixed in with the other down cards. In that case card that was face up in the deck will be replaced after all other cards are dealt for that round.
A joker that appears in a game where it is not used is treated as a scrap of paper. Discovery of a joker does not cause a misdeal. If the joker is discovered before a player acts on his or her hand, it is replaced as in the previous rule if the player does not call attention to the joker before acting the player has a dead hand.
If you play a hand without looking at all your cards, you assume the liability of having an irregular card or an improper joker.
One or more cards missing from the deck does not invalidate the results of a hand.
Before the first round of betting, if a dealer deals one additional card, it is returned to the deck and used as the burn card.
A card that is flashed by a dealer is treated as an exposed card. A card that is flashed by a player will play. To obtain a ruling on whether card was exposed and should be replaced a player should announce that the card was flashed or exposed before looking at it. A down card dealt off the table is an exposed card.
If a card is exposed due to dealer error, a player does not have an option to take or reject the card. The situation will be governed by the rules for the particular game being played. If a player drops any card out of his hand onto the floor, the cards must still play.
If the dealer prematurely deals any cards before betting is complete, those cards will not play, even if a player who has not acted decides to fold.
Betting and raising
Check – raise is permitted.
Unlimited raising is allowed.
Any raise must be equal or greater than the previous bet. The exception will be a player who goes all in.
A verbal statement denotes your action and is binding. If in turn you verbally declare a fold, check, bet, call, or raise, you are forced to take that action.
Tapping the table with your hand is a check.
A player who checks out of turn may not bet or raise on the proper turn to act unless the action has changed.
An action or verbal declaration out of turn will be ruled binding if there is no bet or raise by an intervening player acting after the infraction has been committed.
String raises are not allowed. To protect your right to raise, you should either declare your intention verbally or place the proper amount of chips in front of you putting a full bet including the raise. If you made no verbal declaration the amount of chips moved forward will determine the action, to be considered a raise it must be more that 1 and ½ the previous bet and the raise must be completed. This does not apply if the use of a single chip of greater value.
If you put a single chip in the pot that is larger than the bet, but did not announce a raise, you are assumed to only have called the bet.
All wagers and calls of and improperly low amount must be brought up to the proper size if it is discovered before the betting round has been completed. This includes actions such as betting a lower amount than the minimum and, other than going all in.
If there is a side pot, players involved in the side pots should show their hands before anyone who is all in for only the main pot.

Ties

Suits never break a tie for winning a pot.
If two hands or more tie, any odd chip will be awarded to the first-hand clockwise from the button.

Dealing irregularities

If the first- or second-hole card dealt is exposed by the dealer, a misdeal results. The dealer will retrieve the card, reshuffle, and recut the cards. If any other hole card is exposed due to a dealer error, the deal continues. The exposed card may not be kept. After completing the hand, the dealer replaces the card with the top card on the deck, and the exposed card is then used for the burn card. If more than one whole card is exposed, this is a misdeal and there must be a redeal.
If the dealer mistakenly deals the first player and extra card, after all players have received their starting hands, the card will be returned to the deck and used for the burn card. If the dealer mistakenly deals more than one extra card, it is a misdeal.
If the flop contains too many cards, the flop only will be redealt.
If the flop needs to be redealt because the cards were prematurely flopped before the betting was complete, or the flop contained too many cards, the board cards are mixed with the remainder of the deck. The current burn card remains on the table. After shuffling the dealer cuts the deck and deals a new flop without burning a card.
If more than one card has been burned before the flop round of betting begins, and any cards have been turned face up, the flop is invalid if it is discovered before betting has started. The flop shall be redealt as per the previous rule. If the error has been discovered without the identity of any flop cards being divulged, the proper flop shall be used. If betting has started before attention is called to the error, the flop actually dealt must be used.
If the dealer turns the fourth card, on the board before the betting round is complete the card is taken out of play for that round, even if subsequent players elect to fold. Nobody has an option of accepting or rejecting the card. The betting is then completed. The error is rectified in a manner to least influence the identity of the board cards that would have been used without the error. The dealer burns and deals what would have been the fifth card in the fourth cards place. After this round of betting the dealer reshuffles the deck, including the card that was taken out of play, but not including the burn cards or discards. The dealer then cuts the deck and deals the final card without burning a card. If the fifth card is turned up prematurely, the deck is reshuffled and dealt in the same manner.
If more than one card has been burned, the error shall be rectified if the mistake is discovered before betting starts. If the error is not discovered before betting starts, the card dealt face up must be used.
A player must declare that he is playing the board before he throws cards away, otherwise he will relinquish all claim to the pot.

Fundraiser Information

1. Register your organization

2. Send your your Registration Certificate

Take Form 13 to the municipality

4. Wait for approval

5. Email us a copy of your license

6. Display the license

Texas Hold'em Fundraiser Registration

Rules