[Diablo_Rojos]

I've been working on some house rules for my up coming tourney.
I've made a list of rules for the game. The players coming are really a mixed bag skill level, from fish to maniac agressive. I tried to model my house rules after Roberts rules of poker, but is condensed to one or two pages. I've also included examples of what to do to clarify some of the rules. If these rules I've posted are over kill let me know what you'd take out or change.



House Rules:
1. Protect your hand at all times
2. Mucked hands are dead
3. At show down no hand will be mucked until all parties are satisfied of the outcome.
a. The person calling doesn’t have to show their hand unless they believe they’ve won the hand
b. In an heads up all-in situation both players will show their hands
c. If an all in occurs with 3 or more people still in the hand. No one will show his or her cards until show down. Unless during the course of the hand it becomes heads up.
4. Only the dealer awards the pot. Once the dealer begins to push the pot toward the victor. Then the victor may rake the pot.
5. Robert’s Rules of poker will be consulted if no one agrees.
6. No Pot splashing. Place your bets, raises and re-raises away from your chip stack toward the center of the table or across the boarder (If it exists). Make the stacks nice. So it’s easier to see the amounts raised. Example: BB raises. BB will place his raise or the amount being called next to his BB stack.
7. No String Bets. Check, bet, call, raise (all-in), or fold. (1 warning)
8. Announce your raise. Specify the amount and place the stack of chips into the center of the table. (or over the boarder if one exists)
a. Announce the amount of the raise, or what you are raising the pot too.
i. If the BB is 100 and the Raiser says “I raise 400” Then the player needs to add 500 chips to the pot. BB + 400 raise.
ii. If the BB is 100 and Raiser says “I raise to 500” Then the player needs to add 500 chips BB+400chip raise.
iii. If a higher denomination chip is used it will be assumed a call unless stated otherwise. The player will be given a refund during his or her turn or at the end of the betting round. Example: The raise is 300 and player throws a 500 chip in the pot with out saying anything. That is a call and the player is entitle to a 200 chip refund at the end of the round or he may take his refund during play. The player is responsible for their refund.

b. If you’re all-in. Place the amount that is called in one stack and your raise (the rest of your chips in another); this makes it easier for people to see how much they need to call. It also makes side pots easier to determine.
c. At the end of each round of betting the dealer will move all stacks into a pile . No attempt will be made at maintaining stacks.
9. Minimum bets: The minimum bet for the beginning of each round of betting is the big blind. If a pot is raised more than the big blind; the amount raised will be the minimum bet. Example: The big blind is 100. Player 1 raises 400. The new minimum raise is 400. Player 2 may call or raise a minimum of 400. At the end of the round of betting the minimum bet returns to the BB amount.
a. The Dealer should announce the minimum bet

10. Dealing: Two decks will be used. The SB shuffles and BB cuts, while Dealer deals. Cut Cards will be used.

11. A misdeal occurs if during the coarse of dealing the first or second card is exposed; or 2 or more cards are exposed.
a. If one card is exposed the burn card will be used in it’s place
b. If a burn card is exposed it will be place face up in the muck.
c. If a second card is exposed a misdeal will be declared and the hand is dead. Players may look at their cards.
12. Chip ups. Odd chips will be rounded up to the next chip denomination
13. Keep your hand to yourself. Don’t discuss your hand until after its over.
a. No groaning because you hit a quad of deuces on the flop
b. Don’t lie about what you had while the hand is in play. That’s ok after the hand is dead.
14. Keep cussing to a minimum. F-bombs are not tolerated. I don’t want my son saying F***. So watch your F****** mouth b******.

[rowlin]

Not too much at all. They look good to me.

Without speaking to what was omitted or should be added, or how I might have said things differently, it may be worthwhile to consider the following:

- Presentation goes a long way, and gives credibility to your rule sheet. You could have the best set of rules ever and people won't bother to read to the end - or remember the rules if they do - unless it is clearly presented.

- I would avoid using contractions ("you're" instead of "you are") in a formal document like this, and make sure to run spell-check prior to finalizing it.

- The ordering looked pretty good to me, but is definitely worth consideration. I particularly like the way you ended it (the rule about cursing).

A final thought is that it is normal for things to come up that will need to be added or addressed later on, so keep in mind that it will be a "living" document, and maybe insert a clause that says something to that effect, and that you reserve the right to make any necessary or appropriate modifications to the rules from week to week if circumstances dictate it.

Nice work - I hope my ramblings are helpful.

[scottwire]

I would add a "show one, show all rule"

You spelled course wrong in #11

[Deuce]

If you want something for reference I have my house rules on my website... www.resendezpokerroom.com

Doesnt really deal to much with tourney situations but the basics are there.

[Diablo_Rojos]

Originally Posted by rowlin

Not too much at all. They look good to me.

Without speaking to what was omitted or should be added, or how I might have said things differently, it may be worthwhile to consider the following:

- Presentation goes a long way, and gives credibility to your rule sheet. You could have the best set of rules ever and people won't bother to read to the end - or remember the rules if they do - unless it is clearly presented.

- I would avoid using contractions ("you're" instead of "you are") in a formal document like this, and make sure to run spell-check prior to finalizing it.

Good catch. I'll fix those

- The ordering looked pretty good to me, but is definitely worth consideration. I particularly like the way you ended it (the rule about cursing).

A final thought is that it is normal for things to come up that will need to be added or addressed later on, so keep in mind that it will be a "living" document, and maybe insert a clause that says something to that effect, and that you reserve the right to make any necessary or appropriate modifications to the rules from week to week if circumstances dictate it.

ok I'll add something like that

Nice work - I hope my ramblings are helpful.

Thanks and yes they were.

Originally Posted by Scottwire

I would add a "show one, show all rule"

I'll add that

You spelled course wrong in #11

got it .

[smoore]

also "border" in #6.

Good rules.

[Quads]

Your math is incorrect in rule 9. The raise was 300 more (BB+Raise), so the following action needs to be 400 to call, (the raise and the BB) or at a minimum, 700 (to make a minimum raise) or more.

I personally wouldn't go into the explanation on some of them as you do, but if you feel this is the best thing for the group, and your players, then better to have it spelled out for them.


For reference, mine are located here:
http://www.byocpoker.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33

Feel free to rape and pillage.

[scottwire]

Originally Posted by Quads

Your math is incorrect in rule 9. The raise was 300 more, so the following action needs to be 400, (the raise and the BB) or at a minimum, 700 or more.

I personally wouldn't go into the explanation on some of them as you do, but if you feel this is the best thing for the group, and your players, then better to have it spelled out for them.


For reference, mine are located here:
http://www.byocpoker.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33

Feel free to rape and pillage.

No it is correct the way it is.

He raised 400, to 500 total. A reraise would be another 400, to 900.

It makes sense the way its worded in 8i and 8ii but maybe 9 is a little awkward

Maybe reword it though to say Player 2 may call 500 or reraise a minimum of 400 more to 900.

[Quads]

The way I read it is the player made it 400 to go.

Right or wrong, it needs some clarification.

[Capstone]

House Rules:
1. Protect your hand at all times
2. Mucked hands are dead ~ Might need better definition of "Mucked" I.E. Any cards that leave the players hands and are in front of that players betting area.

3. At show down no hand will be mucked until all parties are satisfied of the outcome.
a. The person calling doesn’t have to show their hand unless they believe they’ve won the hand
b. In an heads up all-in situation both players will show their hands <-- this is rule should only apply to Tourneys. In cash games, you should never be required to show your hand unless you are declaring the hand the winner unless called and (although considered bad form if it was a bluff) the other player insists on seeing
c. If an all in occurs with 3 or more people still in the hand. No one will show his or her cards until show down. Unless during the course of the hand it becomes heads up.
4. Only the dealer awards the pot. Once the dealer begins to push the pot toward the victor. Then the victor may rake the pot.
5. Robert’s Rules of poker will be consulted if no one agrees.
6. No Pot splashing. Place your bets, raises and re-raises away from your chip stack toward the center of the table or across the boarder (If it exists). Make the stacks nice. So it’s easier to see the amounts raised. Example: BB raises. BB will place his raise or the amount being called next to his BB stack. The host may want the chips neatly stacked, but players will get annoyed if this is enforced too harshly, so long as the chips don't go into other chips and there's a verbal declaration a little latitude is warranted. Some players like to "toss" chips
7. No String Bets. Check, bet, call, raise (all-in), or fold. (1 warning)
8. Announce your raise. Specify the amount and place the stack of chips into the center of the table. (or over the boarder if one exists)
a. Announce the amount of the raise, or what you are raising the pot too.
i. If the BB is 100 and the Raiser says “I raise 400” Then the player needs to add 500 chips to the pot. BB + 400 raise.
ii. If the BB is 100 and Raiser says “I raise to 500” Then the player needs to add 500 chips BB+400chip raise.
iii. If a single higher denomination chip is used it will be assumed a call unless stated otherwise. The player will be given a refund during his or her turn or at the end of the betting round. Example: The raise is 300 and player throws a 500 chip in the pot with out saying anything. That is a call and the player is entitle to a 200 chip refund at the end of the round or he may take his refund during play. The player is responsible for their refund.

b. If you’re all-in. Place the amount that is called in one stack and your raise (the rest of your chips in another); this makes it easier for people to see how much they need to call. It also makes side pots easier to determine. Although it's a courtesy to count down your stack only the player facing the bet should request this action of the all-in player and only that player can/should respond either verbally or by physically counting it down, but this is the kind of rule that certain players will certainly find annoying especially if you're playing cash games or if it's a loose player with a big stack; The dealer can of course take it upon himself to coundown the satke but good luck with this rule
c. At the end of each round of betting the dealer will move all stacks into a pile . No attempt will be made at maintaining stacks.
9. Minimum bets: The minimum bet for the beginning of each round of betting is the big blind. If a pot is raised more than the big blind; the amount raised will be the minimum bet. Example: The big blind is 100. Player 1 raises 400. The new minimum raise is 400. Player 2 may call or raise a minimum of 400. At the end of the round of betting the minimum bet returns to the BB amount.
a. The Dealer should announce the minimum bet

10. Dealing: Two decks will be used. The SB shuffles and BB cuts, while Dealer deals. Cut Cards will be used.

11. A misdeal (using the term misdeal as the opening in this rule implies immediate redeal, but your rule goes on to say that the deal continues with conditions) occurs if during the coarse of dealing the first or second card is exposed; or 2 or more cards are exposed.
a. If one card is exposed the burn card will be used in it’s place
b. If a burn card is exposed it will be place face up in the muck.
c. If a second card is exposed a misdeal will be declared and the hand is dead. Players may look at their cards.

We declare a redeal if the exposed card is in the first round of cards, and use the burn to replace a card if it's exposed in second round
12. Chip ups. Odd chips will be rounded up to the next chip denomination
There's a clear procedure for chip-ups and it's done using a High Card draw among all of the odd-chip holders to determine who will get the higer value chip when all of the smaller chips are combined. Each palyer gets one card for every odd chip.

Player A has 2 odd chips 2 cards ~ 4h Jc
Player B has 1 odd chip 1 Card ~ Kd
Player C has 3 odd chips 3 Cards ~ Qh 5c 8s
Player D has 2 odd chips 2 cards ~ Jc 2s
Total 8 chipss equals 2 Higher Chips which Player B and Player C will each get one

13. Keep your hand to yourself. Don’t discuss your hand until after its over.
a. No groaning because you hit a quad of deuces on the flop
I would also add "no board comments" from players not in the hand like "wow, someone hit their wheel with that card" <-- Pet-peeve as a side, the DEALER is allowed to verbally declare the cards dealt in a fashion such as "8 J 2, rainbow" or "the turn pairs the board with a ten" IMO, this aspect of the game adds excitement to the play, but this is only the DEALERS perogative and other players should be admonished for color commentary
b. Don’t lie about what you had while the hand is in play. That’s ok after the hand is dead. Lying aoout your hand during play is perfectly legal and should never be discouraged, it's declaring what turns out to be your actul hand during play that isn't allowed.
14. Keep cussing to a minimum. F-bombs are not tolerated. I don’t want my son saying F***. So watch your F****** mouth b******. Impose fines for this one\


Good Luck

Capstone