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

SECTION VI – POKER RULES, Continued

71. There is no cap on the number of raises in no-limit games. In flop games, the initial raise must be at least double the big blind, with all subsequent raises being at least the size of the previous raise. In limit Events there will be a maximum of one bet and four raises, even if there are only two players remaining in the hand. Once the Tournament becomes heads-up, this rule does not apply. There may be unlimited raises at the heads-up level.

72. In stud-type games, if any of the players’ two down cards are exposed due to a dealer error, it is a misdeal. In flop games, exposure of one of the first two cards dealt is a misdeal. Players may be dealt two consecutive cards on the button. The following situations may also be cause for a misdeal, if during the initial deal: a) two or more extra cards have been dealt b) the first card was dealt to the wrong position c) cards have been dealt to an empty seat or a player not entitled to a hand or d) a player has been dealt out who is entitled to a hand provided substantial action has not occurred. Substantial action is considered: three folds, three checks, two or more calls, a fold and a call, or a bet and or a raise or a call and or a fold.

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

74. A dealer cannot kill a winning hand that was turned face up and was obviously the winning hand. Players are encouraged to assist in reading tabled hands if it appears that an error is about to be made.

75. Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result in penalties that may include forfeiture of chips and/or disqualification. Chip dumping will result in disqualification.

76. Players are entitled to be informed of the pot size in pot-limit games only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit games. If requested, dealers may spread the pot so that it can be counted by a player.

77. When heads up in blind games, the small blind is on the button and acts first. When beginning heads-up play, the button may need to be adjusted to ensure no player takes the big blind twice.

78. At the end of the last round of betting, the player who made the last aggressive betting action in that betting round must show first. If there was no bet during the final round, the player to the left of the button shows first, and so on in a clockwise direction. In stud games, the player with the high board must show first. In razz, the lowest board shows first. At showdown, any player at the table may request to see a folded hand from any player who has called all bets on the last round of betting. If a player with the last aggressive action on the last round of betting refuses to show their hand and intentionally mucks his or her hand, the player in violation will receive a penalty, in accordance with Rule 52.

79. Players must remain at the table if they still have action pending on a hand. If a player leaves the table before they have acted on their hand, a penalty in accordance with Rule No. 52. will be enforced when the player in violation returns to the table.

80. Dealers will be responsible for calling string bets/raises. All players at the table are encouraged to assist in calling a string bet/raise if a dealer fails to identify it. String bets/raises called by a player must be verified by a floor person. A string bet/raise is defined as attempting a bet or raise in multiple movements that include a return to a player’s stack without a prior verbal declaration of intent or visual deception intended to induce action out of turn before a player’s action is complete.

81. A player must show his or her cards when playing the board to get part of the pot.

82. Any player registering for multiple Events and who makes Day Two or the final table of a particular Event, may transfer his or her buy-in for the subsequent Event to another Event, or may also receive a refund, upon request, provided that the transfer or refund is approved and initiated prior to the beginning of the Event from which a transfer or refund is being requested.

83. Players are responsible for checking their Event entry receipts before they leave the registration window. All changes must be made before the start of any Event.

84. Registration is open until the end of the second level of any Event. If there is a player break at the end of the second level, registration will remain upon until the Event resumes play.

85. Late registrants for any Event will be subject to the following rules in addition to all other rules. A late registrant is defined as a player that registers for an Event after an Event in which the player seeks to register has officially started. All late registrants will start the Tournament with a full chip stack. In games with blinds, a player who enters during the first round of play will receive no penalty so long as the blinds have not passed their starting position. Players who enter after the first round of blinds must wait until their first opportunity to post to begin play. In games with only antes, the player must ante at their first opportunity. In mixed Events such as HORSE, late entries after the first round of play must wait to post in blind games, and ante in stud games at their first opportunity.

Continue reading: WSOP 2009 rules page 10

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