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TOURNAMENT FORMAT

Players are registered prior to the scheduled tournament start time. At the start of the tournament, all players are asked to go to their table and seat (table and seat assignment cards are given to players at time of registration). Once all players are seated, we make whatever announcements are needed (i.e. prizes or gifts to be won and/or information about the sponsor, charity or person(s) holding the event.) We then go over some of the general rules for the game being played, how the tournament is going to be run and then we start the tournament.

Once the tournament starts, we monitor the tables, combine and consolidate tables as players are eliminated (elimination type format), and make any decisions that involve incorrect play or a violation of the rules. Depending on the length of the tournament, there may be short breaks for the players to use the facilities, get refreshments or mingle with guests.

Before the final table is started, announcements are made about how many places receive prizes, gifts, the amount of money raised for charity, etc. This is also a good time to take pictures of the players. It is typical for the eliminated players to stand around the final table at a reasonable distance and cheer for their favorite player(s). The tournament ends when one player at the final table holds all the chips.

TOURNAMENT RULES

Listed below are the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) rules modified for 5^th Street Poker Parties.

1.        Tournament directors 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 the technical interpretation of the rules be ignored in the interest of fairness. The tournament director's decision is final.

2.        Chip consolidation rule: When it is time to color-up chips, the value of a player’s total chips will be rounded up to equal a value divisible by the lowest denomination chip still in play.

3.        Odd chips:  When there are two or more high, the odd chip(s) will go to the player with the high hand that is left of the button.

4.        Side pots:  Each side pot will be split as a separate pot.  They will be mixed together before they are split.

5.        Calling for the clock procedures: Once a reasonable amount of time has passed and a clock is called for, a player will be given one minute to make a decision. If action has not been taken by the time the minute is over, there will be a 10-second countdown. If a player has not acted on his hand by the time the countdown is over, the hand will be dead.

6.        Dead button: Tournament play will use a dead button.  If the big blind busts out, the button moves to the player who posted the small blind and the player to the left of the former big blind assume the big blind. There is no small blind for that hand. On the following deal, the button moves to the 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, 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. 

7.        Penalties: A penalty MAY be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending, if a card(s) goes off the table, if soft-play occurs, or similar incidents take place. Penalties WILL be invoked in cases of abuse, disruptive behavior, or similar incidents.

8.        A player must be at the table by the time all players have complete hands in order to have his hand live. Players must be at the table to call time. In flop games, the big blind's hand will be dead if he is not there to act on it before the flop.

9.        All cards will be turned face up once a player is all in and all action is complete.

10.      If a player puts in a raise of 50 percent or more of the previous bet, he will be required to make a full raise. The raise will be exactly the minimum raise allowed.

11.      The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced.

12.      Tournament seats will be randomly assigned.

13.      The English-only rule will be enforced in the United States during the play of hands.

14.      A player who wants to use a cellular phone must step away from the table.

15.      There will be no foreign chips on the table except for a maximum of one card cap.

16.      Deck changes will be performed as prescribed by the staff. Players may not ask for deck changes.

17.      When time has elapsed in a round and a new round is announced, the new limits apply to the next hand. A hand has begun with the first riffle or blind being posted.

18.      Players must keep their highest denomination chips visible at all times.

19.      Verbal declarations as to the content of a player's hand are not binding; however at management's discretion, any player deliberately miscalling his hand may be penalized.

20.      No rabbit hunting.

21.      A player who intentionally dodges his blind(s) when moving from a broken table will forfeit the blind(s) and/or incur a penalty. The money will be put into the next pot as dead money.

22.      All chips must be visibly displayed at all times. Players may not have tournament chips in their pockets at any time. A player who has chips in his pocket will forfeit the chips. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play from the tournament.

23.      If a dealer kills an unprotected hand, the player will have no redress and will not be entitled to his money back. An exception would be if a player raised and his raise had not been called yet, he would be entitled to receive his raise back.

24.      Dealers cannot kill a winning hand that was turned face up and was obviously the winning hand.

25.      Verbal declarations in turn are binding. Action out of turn may be binding.

26.      Players going from a broken table to fill in seats assume the rights and responsibilities of the position.  If a player arrives on the big blind, they are provided with the option of posting or waiting for the button to pass.  The only place they cannot get a hand is between the small blind and the button. A player moved to balance tables will take the position assigned randomly by the software. A dead button situation may occur.

27.      Penalties available for use by the tournament director are verbal warnings; 10 20, 30, and 40 minutes away from the table; forfeit the value of the small blind and sit out a hand. Any penalty may be used at the tournament director’s discretion. These may be utilized up to and including disqualification. A player who is disqualified shall have his chips removed from play.   Player’s caught cheating will be banned from all events coordinated by 5^th Street Poker Parties.

28.      Players are obligated to protect other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing cards discarded or hand possibilities are not allowed.

29.      A player who exposes his cards during play may incur a penalty, but will not have his hand killed.

30.      When raising in no-limit, a player must either put the amount of the raise out in one motion or state the raise amount. By stating the word “raise”, a player protects his right to raise, but the raise must be made in one additional motion unless he states the amount.

31.      Verbally disclosing the contents of your hand or advising a player how to play a hand may result in a penalty.