2009 World Series of Poker, Las Vegas, Nevada – May 26, 2009 through November 10, 2009

SECTION VI – POKER RULES, Continued

52. In its sole and absolute discretion, Harrah’s may impose penalties ranging from a verbal warning, one missed hand away from the table up to disqualification and expulsion from all Harrah’s casino properties.
A. Tournament officials can assess a verbal warning, a missed hand, or one-round, two-round, three-round or four-round penalties and disqualification.
B. A missed-hand penalty will be assessed as follows: The offender can miss one hand or one to four rounds of hands away from the table. The offender’s missed hand is counted as part of the round when a penalty is given.
C. Players who receive a missed-hand penalty must remain outside the designated Tournament areas for the length of their penalty.
D. The player must notify the Tournament staff prior to returning to their seat. Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties up to disqualification.
E. Harrah’s will maintain a written log of all penalties issued throughout the duration of the WSOP.
F. It should be noted that penalties may not always be imposed in successive manner. Tournament staff in their sole discretion, for example, can disqualify a person for a first offense if action of player is deemed worthy. Or a player, for example, may forego a warning and be assessed a three round penalty. Players should know any conduct deemed penalty-worthy could result in a wide range of discipline for a first offense.

53. A player who is disqualified shall have his or her chips removed from play and no refund will be provided to that disqualified player. Any player who forfeits play for health or other personal reasons after the start of a Tournament will have his or her chips blinded off accordingly.

54. A player must be at his or her seat by the time all players have been dealt complete initial hands to have a live hand. Players must be at their seats to call time. “At your seat” is defined as being within reach or touch of your chair.

55. All cards will be turned face up once a player is all in and all action is complete. If a player accidentally folds/mucks their hand before cards are turned up, the Tournament Staff reserves the right to retrieve the folded/mucked cards if the cards are clearly identifiable.

56. If a player puts in a raise of 50 percent or more of the previous bet but less than the minimum raise, he or she will be required to make a full raise. The raise will be exactly the minimum raise allowed. In no-limit and pot-limit, an all-in bet of less than a full raise does not reopen the betting to a player who has already acted. Putting a single oversized chip into the pot will be considered a call if the player doesn’t announce a raise. Example, Player who places two $500 chips into the pot on a 300-600 blind level when the bet is $600 without an announcement will also be considered a call even though it is two chips. If a player puts an oversized chip into the pot and says, “Raise,” but doesn’t state the amount, the raise will be the maximum allowable up to the denomination of that chip. To make a raise with a single oversized chip, a verbal declaration must be made before the chip hits the table surface. After the flop, an initial bet of a single oversized chip without comment will signify a bet equal to the size of the chip.

57. In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by a.) placing the full amount in the pot in one or more continuous motion(s) without going back toward the player’s stack or b.) verbally declaring the full amount prior to the initial placement of chips into the pot or c.) verbally declaring “raise” prior to the placement of the amount to call into the pot and then completing the action with one additional motion back to the player’s stack. Less than a full raise in an all-in situation does not reopen the betting to a player who has already acted.

58. Players are obligated to protect the other players in the Tournament at all times. Therefore, whether in a hand or not, players may not a.) disclose contents of live or folded hands, b.) advise or criticize play before the action is completed, or c.) read a hand that hasn’t been tabled. While in a hand, players may not a) discuss hands or strategy with any spectator, or b) seek or receive consultation from an outside source. Players may speak freely as to the contents of their hand during heads up play only; however, players will be penalized should any discussion lead to collusion. The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced. Players who violate this rule are subject to penalty in accordance with Rule 31, 52, and 53.

59. Tournament and satellite seats will be randomly assigned. Tournament staff reserves the right to relocate players from their assigned seat to accommodate players based on special needs, and to balance tables at the start of the Tournament.

60. The English-only rule will be enforced at all WSOP tables during Tournament play. Players who violate this rule are subject to penalty in accordance with Rule No. 52.

Continue reading: WSOP 2009 rules page 8

Back to: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6.