Libertarian Party of Marion County
2009 Texas Hold-em Poker Tournament Rules

1. The tournament director is 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 director's decision is final. The director will take into consideration special needs of disabled players especially in assigning seats or moving players.
2. Players should behave in a civil manner and may not use foul or offensive language or make derogatory remarks about other players. Violations of any rule can result in warnings, time out penalties of increasing length, or expulsion from the tournament for serious or repeat offenses at the discretion of the director. Chips from a disqualified player are removed from play. Players are expected to play to win and not to play in any way designed to deliberately benefit another player.
3. Players register for the tournament and buy-in for a fixed amount of money. Portions of the buy-in will go into a prize pool and portions will go to benefit the announced charity. Buy-in amounts and prize pool percentages are shown above. The buy-in will not be refunded unless the tournament is canceled. If fewer than 10 players register, the tournament will be canceled. Seats will be assigned randomly. The norm for this tournament is 9 players per table.
4. Players will each be given a quantity of tournament chips which are used to play no limit "Texas" hold’em. Although they are referred to in dollar amounts, they have no cash value. If any player busts out, they may purchase additional chips one time during the first hour of the tournament for an amount equal to the original tournament buy-win amount. Players may not give, sell, or loan chips to other players. Players are entitled to a clear view of an opponent’s chips with higher denomination chips clearly visible. Players should make reasonable efforts to keep their chips organized to facilitate easy counting. Chips cannot be in pockets or deliberately off the table at any time. Violation results in forfeited chips removed from play. Cards must be kept in full view.
5. When a player looses all chips, they are eliminated from the tournament and should leave the table. Play continues until only one player remains. The top finishing players win cash according to the above prize payment schedule. If more than one player is eliminated in the same hand then the chip totals prior to the hand will be used to determine finishing position. If multiple eliminated players have identical chip totals then the prize money of their finishing positions will be combined and split equally.
6. Players may agree to end the tournament early and split the prize pool along some mutually agreeable terms. Such early ending must be unanimous among all remaining players. Additionally, in the event of a time constraint, the director may terminate the event and prizes will be distributed according to current chip totals. Side wagering is discouraged and we will not enforce any such propositions. Players may NOT split individual pots by agreement.
7. As players are eliminated, the director will reassign players to balance the tables and will eliminate tables as necessary in a predetermined order. When a player is moved, the player due for the big blind will be automatically selected to move, and will be given the empty seat earliest due for the big blind. Moved players assume the rights and responsibilities of the new position. They can get the big blind, the small blind, or the button. The only place they cannot get a hand is between the small blind and the button in which case they sit out one hand until the button passes. When players are eliminated or moved to another table we will use the dead button rule.
8. A 10 minute break occurs after every 6 raises of the blind. You may sit out at any time but blinds will be posted in your absence. Cards will be dealt to absent players however the player must be at the table when they are due to act or their hand is killed. You must be at the table to call time. Once a reasonable amount of time has passed, the tournament director may call for the clock and the player will be given one minute to make a decision. There will be a 10-second countdown as the minutes expires. If a player has not acted by then, the hand will be dead.
9. When the third-place player is eliminated and only two players remain in the tournament, the player due to place the big blind will do so, and the small blind will be the dealer. The small blind player will act first prior to the flop and second after the flop. The deal then alternates with the dealer always placing the small blind. When only two players remain, a 30 minute clock will start. If no winner has been determined within 30 minutes of heads-up play then showdown play will begin. In showdown mode, both remaining players are forced to bet all-in on every hand until a winner is achieved.
10. Blinds will increase at timed intervals according to the schedule above. When time expires in a level, the new limits apply to the next hand. A hand has begun with the first riffle of the cards. When chips are colored-up, they will be rounded up to the smallest relevant denomination.
11. Check-raising is permitted. Verbal declarations in turn are binding. Action out of turn may be binding. A player who bets or calls by releasing chips into the pot is bound by that action and must make the amount correct. String bets are prohibited. 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. If a player puts in a raise of 50 percent or more of the previous bet, he will be required to make a full raise. The raise will be exactly the minimum raise allowed. Less than a full raise does not reopen the betting to a player who already has acted. An oversized chip thrown before the flop is a call; after the flop, an oversized chip by the initial bettor put in the pot will constitute the size of the bet. If a player states raise and throws in an oversized chip, the raise will be the size of that chip.
12. Unless all other players have mucked their cards, you must show both of your cards to win any portion of a pot even if one of the cards was not used in a hand. Cards speak for themselves and the dealer will declare the winner and award the pot to the winning hand.. All cards will be turned face up once a player is all in and all action is complete. Verbal declarations as to the content of a player's hand are not binding; however at management's discretion, any player deliberately miscalling his hand may be penalized and may result in forfeiture of the pot. No rabbit hunting is allowed. Show one, show all. After a deal, if cards are shown to another player, every player at the table has a right to see those cards. You may request exposure of any hole cards that were live at showdown although the practice is discouraged.
13. The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced. The English-only rule will be enforced during the play of hands.
14. If non-playing dealers are not available, players will have to deal for themselves. The pack must be shuffled before the cards are dealt. The deck must be riffled a minimum of four times. After shuffling, the dealer should offer the player on his right an opportunity to cut the cards however the player may refuse to cut. If cut, the cut must leave a minimum of four cards in each portion. If cut is refused, the dealer himself should cut to protect the bottom of the deck. A cut card will be provided to protect the bottom card. Any complaint about the shuffle, cut, or other preparation connected with dealing must be made before the player has looked at his hand or betting action has started. Dealers must burn a card prior to the flop, turn, and river. Deal the board only when needed. Do not pre-deal and then reveal the flop, turn, or river.