The Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA) establishes standardized rules for poker tournaments worldwide. Understanding these rules prevents disputes and ensures fair play.
TDA Foundation: Founded in 2001, the TDA creates unified international rules for tournament poker. Major poker rooms and tournaments worldwide adopt TDA rules, reducing confusion from venue-to-venue variations.
Player Responsibility: Players are responsible for protecting their hands, knowing seat assignments, acting in turn, and understanding basic rules. "Ignorance is not an excuse" applies—learn basic procedures.
Hand Protection: Players must protect their cards with a chip or hand. If dealer accidentally mucks your unprotected cards, they're dead. This rule prevents disputes about whether cards were released.
Acting in Turn: Acting out of turn is serious—it provides information opponents shouldn't have. Out-of-turn action may be binding if action doesn't change, penalizing offenders.
String Bets: Declare "raise" before moving chips, or put all chips in one motion. Going back for more chips after your first motion is a string bet, ruled a call. This rule prevents angle shooting.
All-In Protection: All-in players have right to see all cards (no one-card penalties). Hand-for-hand play at money bubble protects short stacks from fast play collusion.
Verbal Declarations: Verbal declarations are binding. Saying "call" then trying to raise is not permitted. Be careful what you say—your words determine your action.
Chip Race: At color-ups, odd chips are raced off rather than split. Each player receives one race card per odd chip. High cards win chips being raced. No player is eliminated through chip racing.
Dead Button: The button moves to dead seats (empty due to eliminations), ensuring everyone posts blinds equally. This rule maintains fairness in blind obligations.
All-In Showdowns: Players all-in must show cards at showdown if called. Winning hands must show to claim pots. Mucked winning hands are dead, preventing angle shooting.
Exposing Cards: Exposed cards during deals are typically dealt face-down in their proper order, then revealed after complete deal. Specific procedures vary by situation.
Misdeals: Substantial action typically prevents misdeals. If two cards are exposed before action, redeal. If action occurred, continue with exposed cards.
Penalties: Penalties for rule violations range from warnings to disqualifications. Common penalties include one-hand sit-outs, multiple-orbit penalties, or tournament disqualification for serious offenses.
Cell Phones: Most tournaments prohibit phone use at tables. Warnings typically precede penalties. Some venues allow phones away from tables during breaks.
Seat Changes: Random seat assignments prevent collusion. Players typically can't request specific seats. Accommodations for disabilities are made when possible.
Language Requirements: English-only at tables in most international tournaments prevents collusion through foreign languages. This rule protects game integrity.
Dispute Resolution: Floor decisions are final unless Tournament Director overrules. Players can appeal politely but must comply with floor rulings immediately.
Clock Calling: Players can call clock on opponents taking excessive time. Clocked players typically receive 60 seconds, then 10-second countdown. Failure to act by zero folds their hand.
Rule Variations: Some venues modify TDA rules slightly. Verify local procedures when playing new venues. Most variations are minor.
Learning Resources: Complete TDA rules are available free at PokerTDA.com. Serious tournament players should read and understand all official rules.
Responsible Gaming: Understanding rules prevents disputes and ensures fair play. However, rules knowledge doesn't guarantee winning. Maintain proper bankroll management and realistic expectations regardless of your rules expertise.