[MSPatton]

Finally going to host my first Ring Game. I usually can find enough action
that I don't need to host, just offer to bring chips!

My sales staff keep laughing at me as I have a "PokerSuperStars" table in
my office and never played on it.

I need a printed list of "House Rules" and I am having a hard time composing
this. Basically I need to cover expectations not included in bacis rules of Holdem
(we use Robert's Rules for that) Does someone have a list they could easily
forward to me via email, or post here if you like. The more the better.

I really need to set some ground work so everyone has a good time and
I do not come off as the "bad guy" as the night wears on.

Let's hear some of the things that keep your game running smoothly!

Michael

[jldecarlo]

These are slightly modified from a chiptalk original. I hope the formatting comes through all right.
If you are using them for a ring game, you may want to modify the dead button rule:

• Absolutely no smoking.>>
• The cards speak for themselves. If you show a full house but call it “two pair”, it still beats a flush.>>
• Check-raises are permitted. Of course.>>
• One player to a hand. This isn’t a team sport.>>
• Show one, show all. If you show one person your cards, you must show everyone (even if it was folded).>>
• Verbally announce betting action. Keep in mind that the verbal declaration is binding.>>
• No string bets. “I see your $500 and raise you $1500” is a call. So is pushing forward enough chips to call, then reaching for more. See Rule 6.>>
• A one chip bet is a call. If you don’t declare otherwise before betting, putting any single chip in the pot is a call, even if you could have called with smaller denomination chips.>>
• The minimum raise is the big blind or the current bet/raise, whichever is greater. An all-in bet which increases the bet by less than the minimum raise (a “sweetener”) is not considered a “raise” for the purpose of re-opening betting.>>
• Don’t splash the pot. Place your bet in front of you and all bets will be collected at the end of the betting round.>>
• Protect your hand at all times.>>
• Any hand that touches the muck is dead (folded). It doesn’t matter if it was accidentally mucked by the dealer or another player. See Rule 11. However, a hand may be retrieved and ruled live if it is clearly identifiable – once.>>
• Keep your cards and chips on the table and visible at all times. Higher value chips should be easily visible by anyone at the table.>>
• Act in turn. Acting early gives information to those yet to act.>>
• Both cards must be shown at a showdown. >>
• The last raiser (or first to check if checked around) must show first.>>
• The “dead button” rule: The big blind is posted by the player due for it, and the small blind and button are positioned accordingly, even if this means the small blind or the button is placed in front of an empty seat, giving the same player the privilege of last action on consecutive hands. The key point is that no one misses a blind or posts extra blinds. There is always a big blind, but there is not always a small blind.>>
• Heads-up play: When heads-up play begins, the big blind is posted by the player due for it, and the button is given to the other player, who posts the small blind.>>
• House decisions are final. If the house is involved in a dispute, a non-partisan party will be chosen to make a ruling.>>

[Jambine]

I keep a hard copy of Robert's with this on the front cover. Mostly just rehashes whats already in the rules, but I like to be clear on a few points.

Our House Rules Are
Robert’s Rules of Poker
Version 6

Here are a few items of note:
* Decisions of the host are final
* Please do not act out of turn
* Protect your hand at all times
* Maximum three raises per round (except heads-up)
* No string bets allowed
* Do not splash the pot
* Never remove cards from the table
* Please don’t comment on cards during a hand
* Verbal declarations are binding
* Show one, show all (cards and people)
* This is a DEAD BUTTON game
Good Luck to All !

[Double Eagle]

The biggest arguments in the group I play with have been over dealer errors. When playing at other players homes, the rulings have frequently been horribly wrong.

I post this on the refrigerator in my garage so everyone knows in advance what constitues a dealer error or misdeal. Most of it was stolen from Robert's Rules and the Tournament Director's Association. I also have a copy of Robert's Rules for Home Games available.

Dealer Errors

Exposed Cards During the Deal:

• If the first or second card dealt is exposed, a misdeal results. The dealer will retrieve the card, reshuffle, and re-cut the cards.
• If any other card is exposed due to a dealer error, the deal continues. The exposed card may not be kept. After completing the deal, the dealer replaces the exposed card with the top card on the deck. The exposed card is then used for the burn card.
• If more than one card is exposed during the deal, a misdeal will be declared.

Player Dealt Too Many Cards:

• If the dealer mistakenly deals the first player an extra card (after all players have received their starting hands), the extra card will be returned to the deck and used for the burn card.
• If the dealer mistakenly deals more than one extra card, a misdeal will be declared.

Errors Regarding Flopped Cards:

• If the dealer fails to burn a card before the flop, the board cards are returned to the deck and re-shuffled. After shuffling, the dealer cuts the deck and deals a new flop without burning a card.
• If the flop contains too many cards, the board cards are returned to the deck and re-shuffled. The burn card remains on the table. After shuffling, the dealer cuts the deck and deals a new flop without burning a card.
• If the flop is made before the first round of betting is complete the board cards are returned to the deck and re-shuffled. The burn card remains on the table. After shuffling, the dealer cuts the deck and deals a new flop without burning a card.
• If the dealer fails to burn a card before the turn or the river, the card placed on the board will be shown to all players and then discarded. The next card off the deck will take its place.
• If the dealer turns the fourth card on the board before the betting round is complete, the card is taken out of play for that round even if subsequent players elect to fold . The betting is then completed. The dealer burns and turns what would have been the fifth card in the fourth card’s place. After this round of betting, the dealer reshuffles the remaining deck including the card that was taken out of play, but not including the burn cards or discards. The dealer then cuts the deck and turns the final card without burning a card.
• If the fifth card is turned up prematurely, the deck is reshuffled and dealt in the same manner.

What Constitutes a Misdeal
The following circumstances are considered a misdeal, provided attention is called to the error before two players have acted on their hands. If two players have acted in turn, the deal must be played to its conclusion.

• The first or second card of the hand (cards dealt to either the small or the big blind) has been dealt face up or exposed through dealer error.
• Two or more cards have been exposed by the dealer.
• Two or more boxed cards (improperly faced cards) are found. A single boxed card will be treated as a meaningless scrap of paper and taken out of play for the remainder of the hand.
• Two or more extra cards have been dealt in the starting hands of a game.
• An incorrect number of cards have been dealt to a player, except the top card may be dealt if it goes to the player in proper sequence.
• Any card has been dealt out of the proper sequence (except an exposed card may be replaced by the burn card as stated above).
• The button was out of position.
• The first card was dealt to the wrong position.
• Cards have been dealt to an empty seat or a player not entitled to a hand.
• A player has been dealt out who is entitled to a hand.
• If a card with a different color back appears during a hand, all action is void and all chips in the pot are returned to the respective bettors. If a card with a different color back is discovered in the stub before it has been dealt, all action stands and the card is discarded.
• If two cards of the same rank and suit are found, all action is void. All chips in the pot are returned to the players who wagered them.
• The cards were not cut.

[Quads]

Roberts Rules of Poker on hand, the above post regarding misdeals, and below are my house rules:

General House Rules:
1. Show up to play a strong, fun and enjoyable game.
2. Don't act like a dope, *******, rookie or Sally.
3. Please.... Remember poker etiquette
4. Verbally announce your raise.
4a. The One Chip rule will be enforced for all games.
5. String betting will get a warning, then a slap on the wrist with name calling, following offenses will be "donations to the pot" Continued offences, you will be asked to cash out and leave.
6. I most often deal for the night if nobody objects, or someone else wants to deal, please volunteer.
6a. If you sit to either side of the dealer, learn to shuffle.
6b. As of lately, there is always a dedicated dealer. Assist the speed of the game and offer to shuffle the second deck.
7. I'm not a convenience store, a Motel, nor an ATM. So, Bring Your Own Beer, Smokes, Water, Soda, Snack, Food, and Money.
8. If you do drink, please, absolutely under no circumstances, get looped and then get in a car. I'll call you a cab.
9. We play in the garage, I smoke in the garage and not in my house, (doors open for ventilation of course) and of course some tunes for background poker "ambiance".
10. Bring a chair unless you like sitting on concrete.
11. If the game is a $100.00 buy in and you bring a $100.00 bill, don't expect to cash out. Please bring smaller bills to accommodate an easy cash out.
12. All fist fights will be conducted in the front yard, after, and only after all side bets have been placed.
13. There is no rabbit hunting at this table. PERIOD.
13a. When you muck, you muck. No holding your cards to see what would have happened.
14. Smith and Wesson always beats 5 aces.
15. Take the time you need when needed. Please don't Hollywood every hand.
16. There are 3 things and only three things allowed on the table. Cash, Chips and Cards.
17. Please don't splash the pot.
18. If you show one player your hand prior to mucking, you show ALL players your hand.
19. In a showdown, a player must show all cards in the hand face-up on the table to win any part of the pot.
20. Please don't verbally speculate on another players hand when there is action on the table. One player to a hand.
21. If your hand is called, the player calling your hand has the option to see your hand if you throw it in the muck.
22. I run a straight up game. If you are caught cheating or colluding with (an)other player, you chips are dead (no cash out) and you will be walked out of the game. If you suspect someone cheating, please bring it up to me OFF the table and AWAY from the action.

Sure-Fire ways to guarantee you won't be invited back: (this is a collective list)
1. Throw chips at people.
2. ***** about the game played.
3. Ask to change the game / stakes / rules (however, suggestions are welcome)
4. Hollywood every hand.
5. Verbally analyze every out of your hand before folding.
6. Leave your crap all over the garage floor, then leave. That big black thing outside is a "trash can". Please use it.
7. Put food or drink on the table.
8. Spill food or drink on the table.
8. Show up empty-handed and raid the fridge and or liquor cabinet
9. Badger someone into a political conversation, and then complain about getting ***** slapped.

Lastly:
If you get an invite, this is an invite for you and not all of your buddies. Granted, the more the merrier, but my table isn't a free for all. I host an invite only poker game / event. If you wish to bring a guest, clear it with me in advance. Show up and surprise me with a bunch of your buddies, and you're guaranteed to get dropped from the invite list

[Jambine]

Originally Posted by Quads

Roberts Rules of Poker on hand, the above post regarding misdeals, and below are my house rules: ...........

11. If the game is a $100.00 buy in and you bring a $100.00 bill, don't expect to cash out. Please bring smaller bills to accommodate an easy cash out.

Amen Brother !! Guess what? I don’t have $1,000 in fives and tens on me right now.

[Captn_All_In]

I had an original list of rules that were posted on the fridge in my garage where we play. This is the updated version. I must admit that I stole the last one from quads. Thanks again quads!!

TOURNAMENT RULES IN EFFECT

These rules are the basics of Poker etiquette. Please observe them. If you don’t understand a rule, ask. You will be made fun of, but at least you will know the answer.
>>

ª NO SPLASHING THE POT. Place your bet in front of you and after all betting is complete the dealer will pull all bets into the pot.>>
>>
ª NO DIGGING IN THE MUCK. Once cards touch the muck they are dead. When you muck, you muck. No holding your cards to see what would have happened. >>
>>
ª NO RABBIT HUNTING. This is allowed on Thursday nights only.>>
>>
ª NO HAND SHARING. Only one player to a hand. If you show one player your hand prior to mucking, you show ALL players your hand.>>
>>
ª PLEASE DON'T VERBALLY SPECULATE ON ANOTHER PLAYERS HAND WHEN THERE IS ACTION ON THE TABLE.>>
>>
ª IF A CARD IS EXPOSED ON THE DEAL THERE MUST BE A REDEAL.>>
>>
ª AFTER SHUFFLING THE DEALER WILL OFFER A CUT TO THE PERSON ON THEIR RIGHT. Knocking the deal is NOT allowed.>>
>>
ª NO STRING BETS. Placing a bet and then reaching back to your stack to get more chips is a string bet. The only time this is allowed is if the bettor announces his action, i.e. “call” or “raise” then they can go back to their stack for more chips.>>
>>
ª RAISES MUST BE IN MULTIPLES OF THE BIG BLIND, OR MULTIPLES OF THE PREVIOUS BET. i.e. if the Big Blind is 25, a raise must be at least a bet of 50, if the raiser bets 60, then the next raise must be at least 120>>
>>
ª ALL FIST FIGHTS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE ALLEY, AFTER, AND ONLY AFTER ALL SIDE BETS HAVE BEEN PLACED.>>

[noelsarchs]

Don't know if this was mentioned yet, but I would add this...

No taking of money off the table until the end of the game.

[Harlequin011]

Here are the WSOP rules in PDF form.