Riverchasers Entertainment, LLC
CONDUCT CODE
Tournament Directors will attempt to maintain a pleasant environment for all our customers and employees, but is not responsible for the conduct of any player. We have established a code of conduct, and may deny the participation in our events to violators. The following are not permitted:
Collusion with another player or any other form of cheating.
Verbally or physically threatening or assaulting any patron or employee.
Using profanity or obscene language.
Creating a disturbance by arguing, shouting, or making excessive noise.
Throwing, tearing, bending, or crumpling cards or chips.
Destroying or defacing property.
POKER ETIQUETTE
The following actions are improper, and grounds for warning, removal, or suspension:
Deliberately acting out of turn.
Deliberately splashing chips into the pot.
Agreeing to check a hand out when a third player is all-in.
Revealing the contents of a folded hand before the betting is complete. Do not divulge the contents of a hand during a deal even to someone not in the pot, so you do not leave any possibility of the information being transmitted to an active player. Needlessly stalling the action of a game.
Stacking chips in a manner that interferes with dealing or viewing cards.
Making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the course of play, whether or not the offender is involved in the pot.
Using a cell phone at the table which delays the action of the hand.
GENERAL RULES
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.
1. Players must be 21 years of age or older and must show proof of age upon request.
2. During split pots, the odd chip will go to the player left of the dealer button.
3. All cards will be turned face up once a player is all in and all action is complete.
4. The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced.
5. All chips and cards must be visibly displayed at all times. Players may not have tournament chips in their pockets at any time. A player who has concealed chips in a pocket will forfeit the chips. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play from the tournament.
6. If a player or dealer mucks 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.
7. Players cannot kill a winning hand that was turned face up and was obviously the winning hand, however if the winning hand is mucked before the final card comes out, that hand is a loser.
8. Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing mucked cards or hand possibilities is not allowed.
9. A player who purposely exposes his cards during the play will be warned. Multiple occurances will have his hand mucked. An accidental exposure will be handled by the tournament director with fairness and in good faith.
10. Verbally disclosing the contents of your hand or advising a player how to play a hand may result in a dead hand, and multiple occurrences may result in disqualification.
SEATING
11 A. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Each player may only save one additional seat other than his/her own, however, 10 minutes before the start of the tournament any seats that are being saved for players who have not arrived may be used by the Tournament Director to seat players who have arrived and do not have a seat. Seating may be assigned at the Tournament Director’s discretion if necessary. Seating may also be assigned at special events.
11 B. Waiting list policy: If any venue reaches seating capacity, the TD may start the tournament a maximum of 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. It is the responsibility of the player to be in his/her seat when the tournament starts. Also, regardless of start time, the first blind level may be extended to a maximum of 15 minutes past the scheduled blind raise time in order to accomodate additional players on the waiting list. Any player entering the tournament late is subject to losing their blinds at a rate described in Rule 11 A. This structure begins at the start of the tournament. The second blind level length may also be reduced to adjust for the extension of the first level.
11 C. Redealing High Card for Dealer when new players come to a table:
If new players coming to the table can be seated in their correct previous positions, then there will be no need to redeal for Dealer. If needed, players will redeal for high card when the total number of new players coming to the table is greater than or equal to the amount of current players at the table. The final table should be treated in the same manner as well. Players moving to a new table that is NOT being high-carded for dealer cannot play in the small blind or button position unless they were being moved from that position at their previous table (a position move), but will play in every other position, including big blind. A player cannot choose to skip the big blind in tournament play.
11 D. Players may be seated in the tournament up until the 3rd blind level and may receive a chip deduction based on the time period he/she enters into the tournament. Seating is not guaranteed at any event.
BETTING
12 A. All starting bets must be at least the size of the big blind.
12 B. A minimum full raise is either,
1. The Big Blind, or
2. A value equal to the previous raise;
WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
12 C. A Full Raise is one that is equal to or greater than the previous raise and it re-opens betting for players whom have already acted.
12 D. An Incomplete Raise is one that is less than 50% of the previous raise, can only be made by going all-in, and does not re-open betting for players whom have already acted.
12 E. A Complete Raise is one that is greater than or equal to 50% of the previous raise but less than 100% of a Full Raise. This can only be made by going all-in and it re-opens betting for players whom have already acted.
12 F. Any player whom has not yet acted in a hand has the right to raise and any player that has acted has the right to raise if betting has been re-opened by another player’s raise.
12 G. String bets - When raising, 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.
12 H. Acting out of turn - Players who deliberately act out of turn are subject to our Poker Etiquette, listed above. Mistaken out of turn action will be held binding if the action has not been changed by the player(s) who were skipped. Action is changed when the bet amount is changed.
MISDEALS
13 A. During the deal – It will be declared a misdeal if the first or second card is exposed. Cards will be reshuffled and redealt.
13 B. During the deal – If any card is exposed during the deal following the second card dealt, continue the deal as if nothing was wrong. At the end of the deal, replace the exposed card with the first burn card. Continue play. If two (2) cards are exposed during the deal, it will be declared a misdeal. Cards will be reshuffled and redealt.
13 C. Premature Flop – If the flop is dealt prior to the completion of the first betting round, the betting will complete and the flop (not including the burn card) will be reshuffled in the deck, the deck will be cut, and the top three cards will become the new flop (no new burn card is needed). If the flop is dealt with four or more simultaneous cards, then the flop (not including the burn card) will be reshuffled into the deck, the deck will be cut, and the top three cards will become the new flop (no new burn card is needed). If the flop is dealt with four or more individual cards and the original flop can be identified, then the additionally exposed cards will be treated as exposed cards puruant to their rules.
13 D. Premature Turn – If the turn is dealt prior to the completion of the second betting round, the betting will complete and the premature turn card will be pulled aside. Burn and deal what would be the river. Replace the premature turn in the deck (not including the burn cards) and reshuffle the deck. Cut the deck. Complete the betting on the new turn card and the take the top card from the deck and turn it as the new river card.
13 E. Premature River – If the rive is dealt prior to completion of the third betting round, the betting will complete and the premature river card will be replaced in the deck, reshuffled, cut, and then the top card on the deck will become the new river.
13 F. Exposed Burn Cards – Will be treated simply as an exposed card. All players are permitted to see the card. A replacement burn card will not be needed as to preserve the integrity of the deck and the cards that should be dealt as the community cards.
ORDER OF SHOWDOWN.
14. Upon completion of action on the final betting round, the dealer shall ask the players to show their hands. If there has been a bet but no raise on the final betting round, then the player who made the bet shall show his hand first, followed by other players still contesting the pot, in clockwise rotation. If there has been a bet and raise or multiple raises on the final betting round, then the person who made the final raise shall show his hand first. If there has been no bet on the final round then the showdown begins with the player who had the obligation of first action on the final betting round.
WINNING A POT
15 A. At Showdown - The best hand pursuant to the rules of the game win the pot. A winning hand consists of two visible cards, face up.
15 B. Prior to Showdown – Any hand that is folded to completely may be mucked without being shown. If one or both cards are shown, the shown card(s) must be shown to all players.
15 C. Request to expose mucked hands at a Showdown – In an effort to promote fair play, any hand that is involved in a Showdown is required to be exposed if requested. Attempting to muck a hand that has been requested to be shown is in violation of the rules.
SHOW ONE, SHOW ALL (not relating to a showdown)
16. If any hand is shown to a player at the table not involved in the action, any other player at the table may ask to see the hand, but it shall not be shown until after the end of the hand. If the hand was shown to a player still involved in the action, then the exposed hand will be immediately shown to all players. If a hand or a card has been shown to one but not all, the dealer shall protect the muck so that the exposed hand cannot be lost before being shown to all. Show One, Show All is part of poker's tradition.
CARDS REMAIN ON TABLE
17. All cards must be visible at all times. A card dealt off the table shall be deemed an exposed card, therefore all players will get to see the card, face up, prior to continuing. A player's hand which is removed from sight or has a card fall to the floor during play and is not in sight of another player shall be declared dead, along with the hand. Any uncalled bet or uncalled raise may be returned to the player at the discretion of the Tournament Director. If a card falls to the floor during play and is in sight of another player may be treated as a live card, and will be treated as an exposed one if the face of the card was also exposed. The Tournament Director will take into account the actions that led to the cards being removed from sight or falling to the floor in order to determine the decision.
PLAYER POINTS
18. Points are earned at each Riverchasers weekly game throughout the year and tracked via our Player Rankings System. Each Riverchasers Region tracks points separately, and each region holds its own TOC. Player Rankings are based on the total number of players entered in each tournament. The top 30% of players at each venue earn ranking points. Fractions of points do not count. A minimum of 8 players and a maximum of 30 players will earn points for any single event.
|
Number of Players In Tournament
|
|
|
|
29 or less
|
30
|
34
|
37
|
40
|
44
|
47
|
50
|
54
|
57
|
|
1st
|
B +5
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
|
2nd
|
O +3
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
|
3rd
|
N +2
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
|
4th
|
U +1
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
|
5th
|
S +1
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
|
6th
|
+1
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
|
7th
|
+1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
8th
|
+1
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
9th
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
|
10th
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
|
11th
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
|
12th
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
|
13th
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
14trh
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
15th
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
16th
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
17th
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
Structure continues down through 30th Position
|
|
|
TOC QUALIFACATION
19. Each Riverchasers Entertainment Region will hold a TOC at the end of each Trimester during the year. Total number of entrants to each region’s TOC will vary based on the total number of ranked players in each region. An announcement will be made prior to each TOC giving the cutoff.
Bonus Chips and the Add-On
20. At most RPT venues you may earn Bonus Chips to begin the tournament and/or receive an Add-on at the beginning of the 4th Blind Level. Bonus Chips and the Add-on can be earned by purchasing food products prior to or during the first levels of the tournament. There will be two tiers of Bonus Chips and Add-on’s depending on the value of the food item purchased. Each venue will determine their own levels and will be advertised at their venues. A minimum purchase amount may be required to fulfill the obligation. All beverage purchases will not count towards any Bonus Chips or Add-ons. Players may be required to turn in a receipt or special chip (depending on the venue) to the director in order to receive the extra chips. Each venue will determine their regulations on this promotion.
PROFANITY, VERBAL ABUSE.
21. Players shall not use profanity or obscenities at the table, or create a disturbance by arguing or shouting. Any violation of this rule may result in immediate ejection from the tournament. Repeat offenders may be banned from the tour altogether.
ANNOUNCING IRREGULARITIES.
22. A player should speak up immediately when he sees an error such as incorrect amount going into the pot or the pot about to be awarded to the wrong person, a card going to the wrong person or a flashed card. A player who knowingly takes advantage of an irregularity to gain an unfair advantage should be disciplined and forfeit any interest in the pot in question.
LEAVING EARLY
23. Any player still in the game with chips, who cannot continue, will have his chips forfeited, and removed from the game. At no time will any player distribute their chips among other players because of their inability to finish the game. If you are planning on leaving the tournament, be courteous to other players who still wish to play. Going all-in on every hand until you lose is allowed, but is not in the best interest of the game. Let the remaining players play normally and simply remove yourself and the chips from the tournament. If you have to leave the venue for a short period of time, you must contact the TD to make them aware. If due to a lengthy absence your chips have been removed from play, you will have no recourse. In the interest of fairness, the TD has discretion over the length of time a player may be absent and still participate in the tournament.
FINAL WORD
24. By taking or requesting a seat in a game a player agrees that Riverchasers has the final word on who may play, the manner in which play shall be conducted, and enforcement of any rules. The Venue further has the right to prohibit any player from using its facilities for any reason whatsoever. Riverchasers is not in any way responsible for the conduct of any person who is not an employee of the Venue, or any employee of Riverchasers who is not performing his official duties. Riverchasers shall not be responsible for the behavior of players or the consequences of behavior of players.
FAULTY DECISIONS IN GOOD FAITH
25. A player shall have no claim against the Venue, Riverchasers, or any employee or agent of either, for a faulty decision given in good faith or any honest error by a Tournament Director.
Note: Due to the vast amount of rules of the game of Texas Hold'em and the variations of the rules depending on the location and the game you are playing, extensive rules are not printed here. All rules not printed on here are interpreted by the Tournament Director at the time in question.