Texas Hold'em Tournament Rules
Texas Hold’em Tournament Rules Rule 1 – Eligibility Rule 2 – Location and Equipment Rule 3 – Game Play Rule 4 – Poker Hands Rule 5 – Betting Rule 6 – Small and Big Blind Rule 7 – Elimination of Players Rule 8 – Extra Information RULE 1 - ELIGIBILITY I.
All current Regis students, faculty, and staff are eligible to play. RULE 2 –LOCATION AND EQUIPMENT
I.
All games will be held in the Walkers Pub in Student Center.
II.
All equipment will be provided by the Intramural Sports staff
RULE 3 - GAME PLAY I.
Prior to dealing the cards, two blinds (the Small Blind and the Big Blind) are placed in the pot by the two players to the immediate left of the dealer. The blinds are put in to start the action.
II.
Everyone is dealt two down cards ("hole cards"). The action begins with the player to the left of the Big Blind folding, calling, or raising. Action continues with all players making one of these decisions. This is the first betting round.
III.
Upon completion of the first round of betting, the dealer then turns over three cards (community cards known as "The Flop"). This is the second betting round. Beginning with this round of betting (and throughout the remainder of the hand), the player to the left of the dealer acts first.
Revised 2/19/2016
IV. V.
A player may now check (not bet or fold) or bet if there is no betting in front of them. If there is betting and/or raising in front of them, they may Call, Raise, or Fold. Following the completion of action on the "flop", the dealer turns over another card (known as "The Turn" or "Fourth Street"). This is the third round of betting. The betting again starts with the player closest to the left of the dealer.
VI.
Following the completion of action on "the turn", the dealer turns over the last card (known as "The River" card or "Fifth Street"). This is the final round of betting.
VII.
After the final round of betting, it's time for -- Showdown. This refers to the action of deciding who the winner of the pot is and display of the cards from all players. Five cards of the total of hole and community cards are to be used for deciding on the winning hands (see below for best hands). RULE 4 – POKER HANDS
Ranked Best to Worst I.
II.
Royal Flush - The best possible hand. Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, all of the same suit.
Straight Flush - A straight flush is a straight (5 cards in order, such as 7-8-9-10-J) that are all of the same suit. As in a regular straight, you can have an ace either high (A-K-Q-J-T) or low (A-2-34-5). You cannot use the Ace in a wraparound and example would be K-A-2-3-4, which is not a straight.
III.
Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank like four Aces or Four Kings. If there are two or more hands that qualify, the hand with the higher-rank four of a kind wins.
IV.
Full House - A full house is a three of a kind and a pair, such as K-K-K-2-2. When there are two full houses the tie is broken by the three of a kind. An example would be J-J-J-5-5 would beat 9-99-A-A. If for some reason the three of a kind cannot determine the victor then you go to the pair to decide.
Revised 2/19/2016
V.
Flush - A flush is a hand where all of the cards are the same suit, such as A-J-9-7-5, all of Diamonds. When flushes ties, follow the rules for High Card.
VI.
Straight - Five cards in rank order, but not of the same suit (it can be any combination of the four suits). An example of a straight is 2-3-4-5-6. The Ace can either be high or low card, either A-2-34-5 or 10-J-Q-K-A. Wraparounds are not allowed (an example being K-A-2-3-4). When two straights tie, the highest straight wins, K-Q-J-10-9 would beat 5-4-3-2-A. If two straights have the same value, AKQJT vs AKQJT, the pot is split.
VII.
Three of a Kind - Three cards of any rank with the remaining cards not being a pair (that would be a full house if it were). Once again the highest ranking three of a kind would win. K-K-K-2-4 would beat Q-Q-Q-2-3. If both are the same rank, then the High Card rule come into effect with the remaining two.
VIII.
Two Pair - Two distinct pairs of cards and a 5th card. The highest ranking pair wins ties. If both hands have the same high pair, the second pair wins. If both hands have the same pairs, the high card wins.
IX.
X.
Pair - One pair with three distinct cards. Highest ranking pair wins. High card breaks ties.
High Card - When a hand has none of the above qualifications of any of the ones listed above, nobody has even a pair or better, then it comes down to who is holding the highest ranking card. If there is a tie for the high card then the next high card determines the pot, if that card is a tie than it continues down till the third, fourth, and fifth card. The High card is also used to break ties when the high hands both have the same type of hand (pair, flush, straight, etc).
NOTE: All cards play themselves; regardless of what a player says he has (e.g., if Bob says he has a straight, but he really has a flush, the flush would be what is played).
Revised 2/19/2016
RULE 5 - BETTING
I.
II.
All players will start the tournament with $45 worth of chips.
Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet, big blind or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets $100 then the second player must raise a minimum of $100 (total bet of $200).
III.
Maximum eligible raise: The size of your stack (your chips on the table)
IV.
In No-Limit there is no limit to the number of raises that a player can make. The only criteria being that you cannot raise yourself, (i.e. if a player bets during a betting round, then that player would have to be raised by another player in order for him to be able to re-raise).
V.
If all the other players in the hand only call or fold, the player would not get an option to raise, because the last raise was done by him.
VI.
A player who does not have enough chips to call a bet is declared All-In. The player is eligible for the portion of the pot to the point of his final wager.
VII.
All further action involving other players takes place in a "side pot", which is unavailable to the player who has already gone All-In.
VIII.
When a player goes All-in, the pot currently at the center of the table, which has contributions from him/her as well, is treated as the main pot, over which the All-in player has rights.
IX.
After the player goes All-in, all the new bets are placed in a side pot, over which only the contributing players have rights. The All-in player does not have any rights over the side pot. The side pot is then given to the next winning combination. RULE
Revised 2/19/2016
3 - GAME PLAY
RULE 6 - BLINDS I.
The blinds are forced bets which consist of usually two players – a Small and Big Blind
II.
They sit to the left of the dealer in the order of small blind then big blind
III.
Blinds will make a bet every fifteen (15) minutes in which they will double
NOTE: Blind schedule is subject to change at any time if the supervisor feels play is not progressing fast enough or it is progressing too fast.
RULE 7 – ELIMINATION OF PLAYERS As players are eliminated, it can affect who is responsible for the blinds. Here is how such situations will be handled: Elimination of player due to post the Small Blind If you had the following: Player 1 - Dealer Player 2 - Small blind Player 3 - Big blind Player 4, etc. And player 5 and player 3 gets knocked out. The next hand would look like this: Player 1 Player 2 - Dealer Player 4 – Pays both the small and big blind Player 5 – Pays the big blind In this situation, Player 4 will end up paying for both the small and big blinds, but not over 2 hands--he pays it over 1 hand. Elimination of player due to be in the “dealer” position If you had the following: Player 1 - Dealer Player 2 - Small blind Player 3 - Big blind Player 4
Revised 2/19/2016
Player 5 and player 2 gets knocked out. The next hand would look like this: Player 1 – Dealer (again) Player 3 – Small Blind Player 4 – Big blind Player 5 In this situation, a player cannot skip being the small blind, thus the deal moves backwards and Player 3 pays the scheduled small blind while the player to his left pays the big blind. All other situations will have to be handled as they occur at each table, trying to remain as consistent as possible.
RULE 8 – EXTRA INFORMATION
I.
Table Consolidation As players are eliminated, tables will need to be consolidated. No table shall play with less than 4 players. If a table gets to 4 players, and the other tables are still full, one player from each of the other tables will be moved to the short table. The player moved will be the most recent player posting the small blind. They will move into the “dealer position (and the position to the right of the dealer if two people are moved). If a table gets below 4 players, the remaining players at the short table will move to the remaining tables.
II.
Unscheduled Breaks If a player needs to take an unscheduled break, he may simply fold his hand and not play that round. However, if he is due to post the small or big blind, he must post the blind prior to leaving the table and then fold his hand.
III.
Disputes This is supposed to be a friendly game, so hopefully there will not be any disputes. If an issue does arise ask the supervisor for help in making the decision. That decision is final.
Revised 2/19/2016
All current Regis students, faculty, and staff are eligible to play. RULE 2 –LOCATION AND EQUIPMENT
I.
All games will be held in the Walkers Pub in Student Center.
II.
All equipment will be provided by the Intramural Sports staff
RULE 3 - GAME PLAY I.
Prior to dealing the cards, two blinds (the Small Blind and the Big Blind) are placed in the pot by the two players to the immediate left of the dealer. The blinds are put in to start the action.
II.
Everyone is dealt two down cards ("hole cards"). The action begins with the player to the left of the Big Blind folding, calling, or raising. Action continues with all players making one of these decisions. This is the first betting round.
III.
Upon completion of the first round of betting, the dealer then turns over three cards (community cards known as "The Flop"). This is the second betting round. Beginning with this round of betting (and throughout the remainder of the hand), the player to the left of the dealer acts first.
Revised 2/19/2016
IV. V.
A player may now check (not bet or fold) or bet if there is no betting in front of them. If there is betting and/or raising in front of them, they may Call, Raise, or Fold. Following the completion of action on the "flop", the dealer turns over another card (known as "The Turn" or "Fourth Street"). This is the third round of betting. The betting again starts with the player closest to the left of the dealer.
VI.
Following the completion of action on "the turn", the dealer turns over the last card (known as "The River" card or "Fifth Street"). This is the final round of betting.
VII.
After the final round of betting, it's time for -- Showdown. This refers to the action of deciding who the winner of the pot is and display of the cards from all players. Five cards of the total of hole and community cards are to be used for deciding on the winning hands (see below for best hands). RULE 4 – POKER HANDS
Ranked Best to Worst I.
II.
Royal Flush - The best possible hand. Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, all of the same suit.
Straight Flush - A straight flush is a straight (5 cards in order, such as 7-8-9-10-J) that are all of the same suit. As in a regular straight, you can have an ace either high (A-K-Q-J-T) or low (A-2-34-5). You cannot use the Ace in a wraparound and example would be K-A-2-3-4, which is not a straight.
III.
Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank like four Aces or Four Kings. If there are two or more hands that qualify, the hand with the higher-rank four of a kind wins.
IV.
Full House - A full house is a three of a kind and a pair, such as K-K-K-2-2. When there are two full houses the tie is broken by the three of a kind. An example would be J-J-J-5-5 would beat 9-99-A-A. If for some reason the three of a kind cannot determine the victor then you go to the pair to decide.
Revised 2/19/2016
V.
Flush - A flush is a hand where all of the cards are the same suit, such as A-J-9-7-5, all of Diamonds. When flushes ties, follow the rules for High Card.
VI.
Straight - Five cards in rank order, but not of the same suit (it can be any combination of the four suits). An example of a straight is 2-3-4-5-6. The Ace can either be high or low card, either A-2-34-5 or 10-J-Q-K-A. Wraparounds are not allowed (an example being K-A-2-3-4). When two straights tie, the highest straight wins, K-Q-J-10-9 would beat 5-4-3-2-A. If two straights have the same value, AKQJT vs AKQJT, the pot is split.
VII.
Three of a Kind - Three cards of any rank with the remaining cards not being a pair (that would be a full house if it were). Once again the highest ranking three of a kind would win. K-K-K-2-4 would beat Q-Q-Q-2-3. If both are the same rank, then the High Card rule come into effect with the remaining two.
VIII.
Two Pair - Two distinct pairs of cards and a 5th card. The highest ranking pair wins ties. If both hands have the same high pair, the second pair wins. If both hands have the same pairs, the high card wins.
IX.
X.
Pair - One pair with three distinct cards. Highest ranking pair wins. High card breaks ties.
High Card - When a hand has none of the above qualifications of any of the ones listed above, nobody has even a pair or better, then it comes down to who is holding the highest ranking card. If there is a tie for the high card then the next high card determines the pot, if that card is a tie than it continues down till the third, fourth, and fifth card. The High card is also used to break ties when the high hands both have the same type of hand (pair, flush, straight, etc).
NOTE: All cards play themselves; regardless of what a player says he has (e.g., if Bob says he has a straight, but he really has a flush, the flush would be what is played).
Revised 2/19/2016
RULE 5 - BETTING
I.
II.
All players will start the tournament with $45 worth of chips.
Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet, big blind or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets $100 then the second player must raise a minimum of $100 (total bet of $200).
III.
Maximum eligible raise: The size of your stack (your chips on the table)
IV.
In No-Limit there is no limit to the number of raises that a player can make. The only criteria being that you cannot raise yourself, (i.e. if a player bets during a betting round, then that player would have to be raised by another player in order for him to be able to re-raise).
V.
If all the other players in the hand only call or fold, the player would not get an option to raise, because the last raise was done by him.
VI.
A player who does not have enough chips to call a bet is declared All-In. The player is eligible for the portion of the pot to the point of his final wager.
VII.
All further action involving other players takes place in a "side pot", which is unavailable to the player who has already gone All-In.
VIII.
When a player goes All-in, the pot currently at the center of the table, which has contributions from him/her as well, is treated as the main pot, over which the All-in player has rights.
IX.
After the player goes All-in, all the new bets are placed in a side pot, over which only the contributing players have rights. The All-in player does not have any rights over the side pot. The side pot is then given to the next winning combination. RULE
Revised 2/19/2016
3 - GAME PLAY
RULE 6 - BLINDS I.
The blinds are forced bets which consist of usually two players – a Small and Big Blind
II.
They sit to the left of the dealer in the order of small blind then big blind
III.
Blinds will make a bet every fifteen (15) minutes in which they will double
NOTE: Blind schedule is subject to change at any time if the supervisor feels play is not progressing fast enough or it is progressing too fast.
RULE 7 – ELIMINATION OF PLAYERS As players are eliminated, it can affect who is responsible for the blinds. Here is how such situations will be handled: Elimination of player due to post the Small Blind If you had the following: Player 1 - Dealer Player 2 - Small blind Player 3 - Big blind Player 4, etc. And player 5 and player 3 gets knocked out. The next hand would look like this: Player 1 Player 2 - Dealer Player 4 – Pays both the small and big blind Player 5 – Pays the big blind In this situation, Player 4 will end up paying for both the small and big blinds, but not over 2 hands--he pays it over 1 hand. Elimination of player due to be in the “dealer” position If you had the following: Player 1 - Dealer Player 2 - Small blind Player 3 - Big blind Player 4
Revised 2/19/2016
Player 5 and player 2 gets knocked out. The next hand would look like this: Player 1 – Dealer (again) Player 3 – Small Blind Player 4 – Big blind Player 5 In this situation, a player cannot skip being the small blind, thus the deal moves backwards and Player 3 pays the scheduled small blind while the player to his left pays the big blind. All other situations will have to be handled as they occur at each table, trying to remain as consistent as possible.
RULE 8 – EXTRA INFORMATION
I.
Table Consolidation As players are eliminated, tables will need to be consolidated. No table shall play with less than 4 players. If a table gets to 4 players, and the other tables are still full, one player from each of the other tables will be moved to the short table. The player moved will be the most recent player posting the small blind. They will move into the “dealer position (and the position to the right of the dealer if two people are moved). If a table gets below 4 players, the remaining players at the short table will move to the remaining tables.
II.
Unscheduled Breaks If a player needs to take an unscheduled break, he may simply fold his hand and not play that round. However, if he is due to post the small or big blind, he must post the blind prior to leaving the table and then fold his hand.
III.
Disputes This is supposed to be a friendly game, so hopefully there will not be any disputes. If an issue does arise ask the supervisor for help in making the decision. That decision is final.
Revised 2/19/2016
