Tournament Poker Rules

These rules provide a standard framework for running a home poker tournament — from seating and starting chips through the final hand. Print them out or read them aloud before you start to avoid disputes.

Seating and Starting

1. All players draw for seats at the start of the tournament. Seat assignments are random unless agreed otherwise.
2. All players start with an equal number of chips. The starting chip stack and blind structure should be agreed and announced before play begins.
3. A player who is absent at the start of the tournament will have their blinds and antes posted by the dealer until they arrive or are eliminated.
4. Players may not remove chips from the table (going "south") at any time during the tournament.

Blind Structure

5. Blinds increase at set intervals (e.g., every 20 minutes). The schedule should be posted or announced before play begins.
6. When the blinds increase, the new level takes effect at the start of the next hand after the clock expires.
7. Antes may be introduced at higher blind levels. When antes apply, all active players must post before each hand.

Player Elimination

8. A player is eliminated when they lose all their chips. Eliminated players receive a finish position based on order of elimination (last out = highest place).
9. If two players are eliminated on the same hand, the player who started that hand with more chips finishes in the higher position.
10. Absent players continue to have their blinds posted until they are eliminated or return. An absent player who loses all chips to the blinds is eliminated.

Table Balancing and Redraws

11. When playing with multiple tables, tables should be kept as balanced as possible. Move players to balance tables as players are eliminated.
12. When tables are broken, remaining players draw for seats at the remaining table(s). The player drawing the button position does not receive the button on that hand.
13. Hidden or missing chips: if a player is found to have chips not properly in play, those chips are added to their stack at the director's discretion.

All-In Rules

14. A player may go all-in at any time for the amount of chips they have in front of them.
15. When a player is all-in, a side pot is created for bets beyond the all-in amount. The all-in player can only win the main pot.
16. All cards are turned face-up when two or more players are all-in and there is no further betting action. The remaining board cards are run out with no further betting.
17. A player cannot be forced out of a hand for lack of chips. They may play for the portion of the pot they are eligible for.

Behavior and Penalties

18. Excessive talking about the current hand, showing cards to non-players, or acting out of turn is prohibited.
19. A player who intentionally miscalls their hand at showdown to induce an opponent to muck may be penalized or disqualified at the director's discretion.
20. Abusive, threatening, or disruptive behavior may result in a penalty (sitting out one or more hands) or disqualification.
21. A player who is penalized and sitting out must continue to post blinds and antes as scheduled.
22. Electronic device use at the table should not slow the game. Consulting strategy apps during a hand is unethical and may be penalized.

Deck and Card Rules

23. A standard 52-card deck is used. No jokers unless specifically announced.
24. If a card is found face-up in the deck during the deal, it is shown to all players and used as the burn card for the next street. If a second card is found face-up, it is a misdeal.
25. A player who receives the wrong number of cards (too few or too many) before they look at their hand may call for a misdeal. After looking at their cards, only a hand with too many cards is a dead hand; a hand with too few cards must be corrected by the dealer.

Button and Blind Rules

26. The button moves clockwise after each hand.
27. Every player must pay the big blind and small blind once per orbit. No player may skip or be skipped for their blind position.
28. When a new player joins an active table (during rebalancing), they may either wait for the big blind or post a big blind immediately to enter the game.
29. If a player is eliminated on the button, the next player in position receives the button for the following hand.

Rebuy and Add-On Rules

30. Whether rebuys and add-ons are permitted must be announced before play begins.
31. If rebuys are allowed, they may only be made during a designated rebuy period (e.g., the first hour or the first four blind levels).
32. A rebuy is only available to a player who has chips equal to or less than the starting stack (or is eliminated, if re-entries are allowed).
33. An add-on, if permitted, is available to all players regardless of chip count at the end of the rebuy period.

Showdown Rules

34. At showdown, the last player to bet or raise must show first. If there was no bet on the final street, the first active player to the left of the button shows first.
35. Cards speak: the best five-card hand wins regardless of what the player announced. Players and the dealer are responsible for reading hands correctly.