Global Poker Federation - Tournament Guidelines
(last updated January 2019, Blinds & OOT Action)  

A notice on tournament guidelines Global Poker Federation events are designed to ensure that we all have fun. A few simple guidelines will help make sure we are all on the same page.  Event play is ALWAYS FREE and people of all levels of play are encouraged to come together and have some fun. 

Don't sweat the buy in fees that Casino's charge.  Global Poker Federation sanctioned tournaments are an easy way to begin playing in a structured tournament environment.   You'll find loads of help from the league members while learning about other people's playing style.  The learning process can be expensive at Casinos, so take advantage of the FREE Play while you get the hang of the game! 

When playing in a Global Poker Federation sanctioned tournament, please keep in mind that all levels of players are participating.  Participating in tournaments is a great opportunity to learn from those with more experience and to help those that are just learning feel comfortable.  Some rules will be suspended at the discretion of the tournament host when new players are present.  IE:  A non-player may be allowed to coach a new player.  This requires that the non-player be seated at the table in order to facilitate this process.  New players are often overwhelmed by the rules of the game and minor rule infractions may result in multiple warnings before penalties are imposed.  Ultimately - It is the Tournament Director that will make the decision as to whether or not to bend the rules.  Experienced players that belittle or insult a new player or any player may be removed from tournament play.

We are here to have fun and socialize.  Disruptive behavior WILL NOT be tolerated.

Rulings:  Decisions made by the Tournament Host / Director are FINAL! The league will adhere for the most part on the Tournament Directors of America rules with some exceptions.

Assignment of Rights:  Anyone playing in a Global Poker Federation sanctioned tournament grants Global Poker Federation and any affiliate league, the right to use their image, video images and any recorded audio of themselves for promotional purposes.

Players: Players must register with the league before playing.  Each player will be assigned a unique ID / Player Number.  New Players will be afforded an opportunity to adjust to the rules of Global Poker Federation League Play without necessarily being penalized to the extent that an experienced league member would.

Signing In, Signing Out: Players must sign in to each tournament and sign-out. Signing out means, check the sign-in sheet and ensure that all the points to which you are entitled are recorded. Failure to sign out may result in a loss of placement points. If a dispute about points arises the league relies solely on the paper copy of the tournament sign-in / sign-out sheet.

Bonus Add-on Chips: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY - 2,000 Bonus Add-On Chips will be awarded to any player that is still in the tournament at the end of the 4th blind level. All players are asked to present a receipt from the bar at the end of the 4th blind level. Presenting a receipt is not a prerequisite to getting the Bonus Add-on Chips and is simply a way for the host to establish how well the league is doing in providing a ROI to the venue.

Bounty/Kill Chips The player that draws the low card while drawing for dealer will receive the Bounty/Kill chip. A player that takes out an individual with the bounty/kill chip will be awarded a 1K bonus and the bounty/kill chip will be removed. A player that initially receives the bounty/kill chip and takes it all the way to the final table (8 players) will be awarded 1K for each table that started the tournament. IE 4 tables start, 4K will be awarded at the final table; 2 tables start, 2K will be awarded at the final table.

• Tournament Prizes - During regular league play there are no guarantees that a prize will be awarded for a 1st place finish. Prizes given will be awarded solely at the discretion of the establishment. Past awarding of gift certificates, cash, etc. is no guarantee that you will receive such a prize at the current event. We are here for the fun of it - NOT to for the money or to accumulate gift certificates!
• Foo-Foo Chips -  discontinued.

Behavior: Players engaging in inappropriate behavior will be subject to elimination from that event and possible elimination from any future Global Poker Federation sanctioned events. 

Profanity:  Players utilizing profanity are subject to a penalty.  Also see "Behavior".

Seating:  At all Championship events, table and seating assignments will be done by draw.  During regular league play, at the discretion of the Tournament Director, players may be allowed to sit wherever they choose.   The Tournament Director will determine the total number of tables required by checking the sign-in sheet.  A count of cards divided by suit, equaling the total number of players that have signed up for the tournament.  The host will first issue the aces and have those players claim a table and take their seats.  The host will then issue the remaining players a seating card for his/her table and seating assignment.  Spades - Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc, Hearts – Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.. The Ace of each suit will be in position one (1). The Ace has his/her choice of seat at the designated table.  All other players will be seated 2 to the left of Ace, 3 to the left of 2 etc. When there are more than 4 tables, the dealer will utilize a second and possibly a third deck of cards that will have a different color back or other distinct characteristic.   Seating assignments are not required during regular league play tournaments.

Chips & Cards: Chips and Cards must remain on or above the table at all times. Players must keep their highest denomination chips visible at all times (don't hide them behind smaller denomination chips).  Chips removed from the table are dead and may not return to play unless they are being moved at the request of the Tournament Director in conjunction with a table move.  Players may not have tournament chips in their pockets at any time. A player who has chips in his or her pocket will forfeit the chips. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play from the tournament.

Chip Trays:  Chip Trays are not be permitted during play, except to transport chips from table to table.

Splashing the pot:  A player that consistently splashes the pot may incur a penalty.  In addition, chips that are indistinguishable from the original pot are forfeit, the player may retract those chip not forfeit and re-bet but only the amount of the bet prior to the splashing of the pot. If a player shorts the pot by intentionally tossing in less than the required number of chips it is considered cheating - please see the rule on cheating.  Please remember that our tables are smaller than a regulation Texas Hold 'Em table due to space constraints within a bar.  There isn't a lot of area dedicated to the pot area so good housekeeping is essential to avoid clutter and confusion.

Raking the pot:  The chips a player bets must remain in front of the player, on or across the bet line until the dealer says the pot is right and rakes the bets into the pot.  Once the dealer declares the "Pot is right" the players may help in raking the chips to the center.

Cheating: Players caught cheating will be disqualified from current and future events promoted by Global Poker Federation

Community Cards:. If it is not possible to determine which cards are the community cards and which cards belong to the player, his/her hand is mucked. A players hand will not be mucked if the winner can clearly be determined. Cards may cross the action line face up and are not mucked. Cards that cross the action line face down are mucked unless a player is all-in at which point all cards MUST be properly tabled.

Penalty: Players that commit rule infractions MAY incur a penalty.  Penalties at Global Poker Federation Sanctioned league events consist of sitting out from three to five hands up to expulsion from the tournament. At events with a designated tournament director, the director's decisions are final.  At events that are "self-hosted", penalties may be imposed by a consensus of the majority of players at a table.  Remember, we are a learning league and as such we want people to have fun while they learn the game. Yes, adhering to a set of standards is important but having fun is our focus. Most of the time a warning is sufficient to correct the errant behavior.  

Bet Line:  Cards that are over the bet line, face down, are mucked (touching the bet line is not enough) Unless it is an all-in situation. In that case all hands that are still live MUST be tabled properly.  A first infraction will result in a warning.  Only chips that are on or past the bet line are bet.

Disputes: Any disputes will be settled by Tournament Directors. Those decisions are final.  At self-hosted events, disputes will be settled by a consensus of the majority of players at a table.

The Dealer:  During tournament play, the dealer is in charge of the table during his/her turn dealing.

Who Deals: After shuffling, the cards will be spread over the table face down.  Players will draw one card each. The highest card drawn will be the dealer. In the event of a tie, the players that tied will draw again with the highest card being the dealer. Anyone drawing the Ace of Spades is automatically the dealer, regardless of whether another Ace is drawn.  The dealer button passes to the left after each hand played.

Cutting Cards:  There is a five card minimum cut required

Dealing: Deal to the chips not the people.  The dealer will always deal to the small blind first with the exception of heads up play at which time the dealer will deal to the big blind first.  Cards must come off the deck in a forward motion.  Dealers that pull cards from the back of the deck are subject to a penalty (this usually only occurs when the dealer is dealing with the deck on the table and during the burn and turn process - be careful).  Pre-flop, this is considered a misdeal.  The dealer should not  "stage" cards.  Leave all cards in the deck until they are to be put into play.  IE: don't lay out the flop cards face down while you wait for the pre-flop betting to conclude.  This helps to prevent cards that might have been inadvertently or intentionally marked from being visible. 

Dealing - The Flop:  If the dealer inadvertently deals the flop prior to all action being complete (unless it is the dealer whom hasn't completed action in which case the dealers hand is mucked), the flop will be re-shuffled into the deck and re-dealt. Or... if the the dealer flops the cards twice (weird as it sounds, it happens), the additional cards will be re-shuffled into the deck and play will continue.

Misdeal: During the deal if any player gets the wrong amount of cards, or the deal is done in the wrong order, or the dealer fails to allow the cards to be cut, or the dealer fails to use the cut card it is considered a misdeal.  If a card is flipped up during the deal, or a card leaves the table, the deal will continue and the last card dealt will be to the player with the exposed card. The exposed card will be left exposed and become the first burn card. If card is flipped up or leaves the table while being dealt to the small or big blind during the first round, it is a misdeal (the first two cards off the deck.)

Blinds: Tournament play will start with the blinds at 25/50   Global Poker Federation reserves the right to alter the break times in order to complete a tournament in a timely manner. No blinds will be skipped. The button may fall on an empty seat and the last player to physically deal will deal again. The clock should never be stopped.

New Rounds: When time has elapsed in a round and a new round is announced, the new blinds apply to the next hand. A hand has begun with the first riffle, NOT the posting of blinds,.  Riffle = Shuffling

Missing Players: Pre-flop, players that are absent will have their hand mucked when the action is on them unless they are the big blind and no one has raised. The big blind's hand is checked. After the flop, a missing player's hand is checked if no betting has occurred prior to their return, it is mucked if they are not present to call a bet. Please note that your host will sometimes be in the situation of being away from the table when the action comes to them. A host will be granted some leeway and will have 15 seconds to return to the table before their hand is mucked. If a missing player has the deal, the player to the right of the button will deal. Cutting the cards will pass to the next person to the right of a missing player. Players missing for more than 15 minutes will have their chips removed or divided amongst the remaining players at the table at the discretion of the host.

Late Players: A late player may enter the contest at any time until the blinds reach 300 and 600 (after the 2nd break). Players that arrive during the break between the 50/100 and 100/200 blind levels will forfeit white chips and the color up. Late players will be seated by the tournament director in the most convenient seat available to ensure the least amount of disruption to the game and will assume all the rights and responsibilities of that position. Players entering late will NOT be seated between the big and small blind. A player must be seated for at least one hand to qualify for "survivor" chips.

Late Players - Mega Stack Tournaments: Late arriving players will not receive "Early Sign In" Bonus Chips. New, first time players, are never considered late and will be awarded all early sign-in and a new player 1K bonus chips unless they fail to provide a valid email address. A player may enter the tournament at any time prior to the end of the 2nd break.

Coloring Up:  Chips will be rounded up to the next available color. Players cannot be eliminated from play through the coloring up process.

Bets: The minimum bet is equal to the big blind, unless the bet puts the player "all-in": Pre-flop a player acting subsequent to an all-in MUST bet at least the big blind amount. Post Flop players acting subsequent to the "all-in" bet may call the bet or they may bet the full amount of the big blind or raise to an amount double or more of the total bet. Once a player has called an all-in player's less than big blind bet, he/she cannot subsequently raise during that round of betting. A player's verbal declarations in turn are binding. Action out of turn may be binding. A player that bets less than active bet cannot retract their chips once they have crossed the action line. Pay attention! (The league rule is different from what one would encounter in an actual casino.... we know this fact... however, GPF is not a casino and GPF rules will be enforced except in situations where "house rules" apply.)

Out of Turn Betting:  TDA Rule 44: A: Any action out of turn (check, call, or raise) will be backed up to the correct player in order. The OOT action is subject to penalty and is binding if action to the OOT player does not change. A check, call or fold by the correct player does not change action. If action changes, the OOT action is not binding; any bet or raise is returned to the OOT player who has all options: call, raise, or fold. An OOT fold is binding. See Illustration Addendum.
B: Players skipped by OOT action must defend their right to act. If a skipped player had reasonable time and does not speak up before substantial action (Rule 36) OOT occurs after the player, the OOT action is binding. Action backs up and the floor will rule on how to treat the skipped hand given the circumstances, including ruling the hand dead or limiting the player to non-aggressive action. If you are unsure as to whether or not the action is on you.... ASK!

Verbal Declarations:  If a player throws in an oversized chip without stating raise, it is considered a call. It is the responsibility of the player to know whose action is next.

Raises:  The minimum raise must match the size of the previous bets plus raises, unless the bet puts the player "all-in". Look to your right... whatever amount is out there... double that. Bets and raises are different... A bet is the amount of the first action... a raise is any subsequent action after an initial bet.

String Betting: When raising, a player must either put the amount of the raise out in one motion or state raise and then the amount of the raise. By stating the word raise, a player protects his or her right to raise, but the raise must be made in one additional motion unless he/she has stated the amount.

Calling a Hand:  When a player has fewer chips than the current bet and they call, they are "all-in"  If no other person calls the bet the individual making the bet may take back chips so that the chips remaining in play match the "all-in" call. When a player throws in oversized chips without declaring raise then it is considered a call

All-In:  All cards will be turned face up once a player is all in and no further betting can occur.

Side Pots: Each side pot will be split into a separate pot. This will be done by the Dealer or by one individual designated by the Dealer.  Chips will not be mixed together before they are split. To avoid confusion the dealer will utilize the "matching stacks" method for determining side pots.

 Winning Hand: The top 5 cards win the hand. If the top 5 cards are on the board, and more than one player stays in, then the pot will be split equally. It is the duty of the dealer to determine the winning hand and to declare the winner.  Players should never touch the chips in a pot nor gather chips unless directed to do so by the dealer. Disputes over whether a hand is the winning hand or not should be immediately resolved by the Tournament Director.

Ties: Ties only occur if two players are eliminated during the same hand and both had identical chip counts.  When multiple players are eliminated during the same hand and the higher placement will go to the individual with the greater number of chips at the beginning of the hand.

Cards Speak for Themselves:  A verbal declaration of a winning or losing hand by a player is not binding

Re-Activating a Mucked Hand:   If a player mucks his cards after being called, and a demand to see the cards is issued by the calling player, the cards are again active and the player may win the pot if he/she has the winning hand.  (see the "Cards Speak for Themselves" rule)  A player that did not call the hand may not demand to see the cards.

Touching Chips:  A player that handles bet chips without the Dealer's permission may incur a penalty  Only the host, or a consensus of the majority of players at a table may impose a penalty. If players are touching chips without the dealers permission please call the Tournament Director.

Split Pots:  If more than one player holds the top 5 cards, then the pot will be split equally.  Splitting the pot will be done by the Dealer or his designated representative only.   Disputes as to whether or not a hand is a split pot will be resolved by the Tournament Director.

Odd Chips:  Odd chips will be awarded to the player closet to the dealer on the left. 

Player Elimination: A player is eliminated when they have gone "all-in" and lost the hand.

Table Moves:  If a player must be moved to even out the tables the individual that would be in the big blind NEXT will be moved. The moving player must take the first available open seat closest to the big blind to include the big blind and assumes all rights and responsibilities of the position. If a player is seated between the small and big blind, they will sit out a turn until the small blind has passed.

Table Dissolution:  When it becomes necessary to dissolve a table, players will be assigned to new tables by draw.  IE: Two low cards to table 1, two high cards to table 2, or any other combination, as determined by the Tournament Host, that makes the table assignments random. 

Final Table: At the final table,  Indiviudals going out at the same time will have their placement determined by the individual with the most chips going into the hand receiving the higher placement.  If two individuals have the exact same amount of chips they will both recieve the higher placement.  At tournaments where there is a 9th seat drawing,  the 8th and 9th person eliminated will share 8th place.

Heads-Up Play: The dealer button has the small blind and the other player has the big blind. The big blind is dealt the first card. After the players get their cards, the pre-flop betting starts with the small blind, which would be the dealer. After the flop is shown, the player on the dealer button is last to act (like normal). So pre-flop the dealer has to act first and gets the small blind, after the flop -- flop, turn and river betting -- the dealer is second to act.

Calling for the Clock: Once a reasonable amount of time has passed, a player may call for the clock.  The player with the action then has 15 seconds to make a decision.  If action has not been taken by the time the countdown is completed the player will be subject to a small blind penalty on the next hand, players not at the table will have their hands mucked and no penalty will be imposed.  Please note that your host will sometimes be in the situation of being away from the table when the action comes to them. A host will be granted some leeway and will have 15 seconds to return to the table and then granted an additional 15 seconds to take action before a small blind penalty will be imposed.

Cell Phones and Headphones:  A player who wants to use a cellular phone must step away from the table. Headphones will not be permitted once a player reaches the final table in regular league play or the money prize structure or the final table which ever comes first in the End of Season or Invitational Tournaments

Penalties: A penalty MAY be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending.  Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing cards discarded while the hand is in play is not allowed and a penalty may be imposed. 

Penalties WILL be invoked in cases of abuse, disruptive behavior, or similar incidents. All penalties will be issued in Global Poker Federation's sole discretion.  Penalties available for use by Global Poker Federation Tournament Directors are verbal warnings – sitting out penalties,  the mucking of the players hand or elimination from the tournament.   These penalties may be utilized at the discretion of Global Poker Federation Tournament Directors up to and including disqualification. A player who is disqualified shall have his or her chips removed from play or divided amongst the remaining players; removal or division will be determined by the tournament director. 

A host may immediately remove a player from a tournament, if a player is removed from a tournament the host may recommend suspensions, banning from future league play, or banning from league play at a particular venue.  Only the league can implement a suspension or a ban and will do so only after a review of the player's conduct leading up to the recommendation.

Exposing Cards: Don't

One Player Per Hand:  The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced.

Playing out a Finished Hand:  This is referred to as rabbit hunting and is not allowed.  A dealer that engages in rabbit hunting is subject to a penalty.  Although rabbit hunting seems like a harmless activity it is very unfair to a player, for example, that wins the pot by representing a nut flush hand only to have the Ace show up during the rabbit hunt.  In addition it slows the game and is really rather pointless.