Tournament Rules

Don't forget:

We are here to have fun and the tournaments are free. There are many players who are new to Texas Hold'em and courtesy should be extended to those who are obviously unfamiliar with the rules.
Tavern poker league follows Robert's rules of Texas Hold'em vol 11 for our general playing rules. There are some exceptions to accommodate tournaments and our self dealing style and lack of experienced players. (see the Hold'em rules tab for playing rules).

Players begin with 5,000 starting chips plus any earned BONUS chips.  Bonus chips may be awarded for: 1st time player sign-up, early check in, or such other areas as the Tournament Director may decide.  All bonus chips must be even handed and available to all players on the same basis.
  For details of starting chips for the play off tournaments see the Eligibility tab News column.

Below is the recommended blind schedule. The host tavern may deviate from this schedule to satisfy time requirements.
Blind structure






Break - remove 100 chips



Break - remove 500-1000 chips




When coloring up round all odd chips up and give the player a single lager denomination chip for the odd chips. I.e.: a player with an odd 100 chip receives a replacement 500 chip. No player is ever eliminated by coloring up.

General rules
No gambling or other illegal activities

Any tavern or player caught wagering cash, property, or anything of value will immediately be terminated from the league.  This provision is exempted for states where such gambling is legal.
Blind schedule

Blinds will go up either every 10-15 minutes depending on the number of players in the tournament. Each round, every player must pay both small and big blinds. Ten minute blinds will meet a 2 hour schedule and 15 will meet a 2 1/2 hour schedule.  People do not like to wiat past the starting time for the second game.  Be sure you end your tournaments on time.

Misdeals

(see Hold'em rules) basically, any irregularity not easily corrected is a misdeal. No exposed cards.

Sitting at the table

Only players, still in the tournament, may be seated at a tournament.
Threatening/berating

Every player has the right to play his/her cards as they wish.  Keep your opinion of their play and or your temper to yourself. Remember, we are here to have fun!
No splashing the pot
 
Every player must place their chips in front of them until all players have acted. Then all chips are moved to the center of the table.
"Mucking" your cards
If you throw your cards into the "muck" (folded cards pile) your hand is folded, even if it is easily retrievable.
Exposed card(s) (Burn and Turn) before the betting is complete
If a community card(s) is exposed before the round of betting is complete, the card(s) can not be used. The exposed card(s) are mixed with only the remaining cards in the deck, reshuffled and cut and then dealt out again.
Turning up your cards
Whenever all players are all-in all hands will be turned face up. At the end of the betting all hands should be turned face up on the table, beginning with the player to the dealer's left. The "cards read"!  Everyone makes mistakes.  Any and all players have a responsibility, for the sake of the game, to point out mistakes. The pot should go to the best hand. 
Exposing your card(s)
It is not permissible to expose one or both cards in an effort to "get a read" on your opponent.  Hands intentionally exposed are dead.
Passing chips
No player may give chips to another player
Soft play
Each player must play to win. Soft play is not allowed
No chopping the blinds
All hands are played out.
No verbal "deals"
Players can not agree to "check it down" because another player is all-in.
Extra chip in a split pot
In the case of a split pot, there may be an extra chip left. This chip goes to the first participating player to the left of the dealer.
Two players go out at the same time
The player that had more chips at the beginning of the hand receives the higher finishing position. If the players had the exact same chip count they will cut the deck for high card to determine place of finish.
Leaving the table
If a player leaves the table during play they are dealt in the hand. If they have not returned by the time it is their turn to act, their cards are mucked and their blinds placed in the pot. (see Hold'em rules for more detail)
Leaving early
If a player has to leave the tournament early the chips are taken off the table and given to the tournament director.
Cheating
This is a free tournament and cheating is very rare but should it occur the player is permanently banned from participation in any tavern poker league event
Playing heads up
When playing heads up, the dealer is always the small blind
Combining tables
If 2 or fewer players move to a new table and sit in the blinds, they have the option of sitting out until the deal passes them. If 3 or more move to a new table, first ace will determine the new dealer position.
Equal players/table
The tournament director will attempt to keep the number at each table equal.

Discrepancies
In the case of a discrepancy, the tournament director's ruling is final!

Points Schedule

Nightly Points
1st	15000
2nd	12000
3rd	10000
4th	9000
5th	8500
6th	8000
7th	7500
8th	7000
9th	6500
10th	6000
11th	5500
12th	5000
13th	4500
14th	4000
15th	3500
16th	3000
17th	2500
18th	2000
19th	1500
20th	1000