Poker League Rules

Game: No-Limit Texas Hold'em Effective Date: _____________ League Director: _____________

1. General Rules

1.1 All games are No-Limit Texas Hold'em unless otherwise announced by the League Director in advance.

1.2 Standard tournament rules of poker apply. In any situation not explicitly covered by these rules, the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) Rules serve as the default reference, with the League Director making final decisions.

1.3 By participating, players agree to follow these rules and accept the rulings of the League Director.

1.4 The minimum age to participate is 21 (or local legal age, whichever is higher).

2. Tournament Structure

2.1 Buy-in & Chips

• Standard buy-in: $_____
• Starting stack: _____ chips
• Re-buys allowed through the end of Level _____ at $_____ each
• One add-on available at the first break for $_____ (grants _____ chips)

2.2 Blind Levels

• Blind levels increase every _____ minutes
• A printed blind structure will be available at every event
• The clock pauses only at the discretion of the League Director (e.g., breaks, disputes)

2.3 Seating

• Seats are assigned by random draw at check-in
• Players must be seated and ready to play at the announced start time
• Late arrivals are dealt in but blinds and antes are posted in their absence

2.4 Late Registration

• Players may register through the end of Level _____
• Late entrants receive a full starting stack regardless of blinds missed

2.5 Breaks

• A 10-minute break is taken every _____ levels
• Color-ups and chip race-offs occur at breaks as needed

3. Gameplay Rules

3.1 Action & Decisions

• Action is binding when made in turn with a clear verbal declaration or chip motion
• "One chip" rule: a single oversized chip placed in the pot without declaration is a call
• A bet must be at least the size of the big blind or the previous raise, whichever is larger
• A raise must be at least the amount of the previous bet or raise

3.2 Showdown

• Players must table their cards face-up at showdown to claim the pot
• Cards speak: the dealer reads the best hand
• A player who mucks at showdown forfeits any claim to the pot

3.3 Etiquette at the Table

• English only during a hand
• No discussing the contents of folded or live hands while a hand is in progress
• No showing cards to other players or spectators during a hand
• Phones may be used away from the table; no phones during active hands
• One player to a hand — no coaching or advice

3.4 Dead Hands

A hand is dead if:

• It is folded out of turn and action is to that player
• The cards touch the muck
• The player declares "fold"
• The hand is missing cards or includes extra cards

3.5 Chip Visibility

• Higher denomination chips must be visible at all times
• Players may request a chip count from any opponent before acting
• No "rat-holing" (removing chips from play)

4. Eliminations & Final Table

4.1 A player is eliminated when their chip stack reaches zero.

4.2 When a player is eliminated, the dealer or floor records the finishing position.

4.3 Tables consolidate as players are eliminated, with seat draws conducted by the League Director.

4.4 The final table is reached when the field is reduced to the final _____ players.

4.5 In the event of simultaneous eliminations at different tables, the player who began the hand with more chips finishes higher.

5. Payouts & Prize Pool

5.1 Prize Pool

• 100% of buy-ins, re-buys, and add-ons go into the prize pool
• The League Director may set aside a small percentage (typically 5–10%) for league expenses (cards, chips, snacks); this must be announced before the event begins

5.2 Standard Payout Structure

5.3 Sample Payout Percentages

5.4 Deals

• Players at the final table may negotiate a deal once they are in the money
• All remaining players must agree, in writing, before chips are redistributed
• The League Director must approve and witness any deal
• At least a portion of the prize pool (e.g., 10% for first place) is typically reserved to play out

5.5 Payment

• Payouts are made in cash at the end of the night unless otherwise arranged
• The League Director will not hold prize money beyond 7 days

6. Code of Conduct

6.1 Expected Behavior

All players, guests, and staff are expected to:

• Treat one another with respect at all times
• Keep the game moving — act in a reasonable amount of time
• Handle chips and cards responsibly
• Help maintain a clean playing area

6.2 Prohibited Behavior

The following will not be tolerated:

• Verbal abuse, slurs, or personal attacks of any kind
• Threats or intimidation, physical or otherwise
• Cheating in any form (collusion, marked cards, hidden chips, soft play, chip dumping)
• Excessive celebration or "rubbing it in" after winning a hand
• Berating other players for how they played a hand
• Throwing cards, chips, or other objects
• Attending the event under the influence of illegal substances

6.3 Alcohol

• Responsible alcohol consumption is permitted at the host's discretion
• Visibly intoxicated players may be asked to stop playing; their chips are blinded off

6.4 Penalties

The League Director may issue penalties for misconduct, including:

1. Verbal warning — first minor offense
2. Written warning / time penalty — one orbit missed (hand is dead, blinds posted)
3. Multiple orbits / disqualification — for repeated or serious offenses
4. Removal from the league — for cheating, threats, or violence; forfeits any buy-in and standings points

7. Dispute Resolution

7.1 Calling the Floor

• Any player may call "Floor!" to request the League Director's attention
• All players at the table should pause action until the situation is resolved
• The League Director will hear from all involved parties before ruling

7.2 Ruling Authority

• The League Director's ruling is final for that hand and that night
• Rulings consider fairness, the best interest of the game, and consistency with these rules and TDA standards
• Rulings are not precedent — each situation is evaluated on its own merits

7.3 Appeals

• A player who disagrees with a ruling may submit a written appeal to the league within 7 days
• Appeals are reviewed by the League Director plus two players selected from the league (a "rules committee")
• The committee may uphold, modify, or reverse the original ruling for purposes of future events
• The original on-the-spot ruling stands for the night in question

7.4 Player Disputes

• Disputes between players that are not directly about a hand should be brought to the League Director privately
• Players who refuse to accept a ruling and disrupt the game may be subject to penalties under Section 6

8. Amendments

8.1 These rules may be amended by the League Director with reasonable notice to the membership.

8.2 Major changes (buy-in structure, payout structure, code of conduct) should be announced at least one event in advance when possible.

8.3 The most current version of the rules will be made available to all members.

Questions about these rules? Contact the League Director.