TEXAS HOLD'EM MINI TOURNAMENT RULES
The
rules are based loosely on the "World Series of Poker"
tournament events (seen on TV) in that No-Limit bets are
allowable. Players may bet or raise any amount over the
minimum raise up to all of the chips the player has at the
table (called an all-in bet).
However, in order to give 'novice' players
a better chance of winning, there will be no blind bets
and qualifying rounds will be limited to a period of 30
minutes each. The final will be contested over a period
of one hour and consist of the two best players from each
of the previous 4 qualifying rounds (the two players who
finished with the most chips).
The 'dealer' at the start of play will be
selected by deciding who has the highest card (Aces high).
The dealer button will be placed in front of this player
and the first card will be dealt to the next player on their
left. This button will move to the next player on their
left after the end of each game (clockwise).
Betting will take place after each player
has received two cards (face down) and before the flop cards
are dealt (pre-flop betting round). Once this first round
of betting has been completed three cards will be dealt
to the flop and a further betting round can take place.
At the end of this betting round a fourth
card is added to the flop and another round of betting can
begin (this is also called 'The Turn' or 'Fourth Street')
On the completion of betting a fifth card
is added to the flop (also called 'River' or 'Fifth Street')
and the fourth and final round of betting then takes place
(if necessary).
A player can use both, one or none of his/her
'hole cards' with the flop (community cards) to make a hand.
However, if the remaining players in the 'showdown' (end
of game) use all five community cards as their 'best hand',
the pot will be shared.
In the event of the first card dealt being
exposed (a 'misdeal'), the cards will be dealt again. However,
if another card is exposed (not the first one), this will
be replaced when all cards have been issued and the exposed
card burnt. Should more than one card be exposed, the game
will be re-dealt.
Should two or more players obtain the same
ranking hands, the value of the remaining cards (kickers)
will be taken into account.
Whilst a hand must be shown by the player
to prove it is a winner, a player is under no obligation
to reveal their cards if they have folded (or conceded)
a game. Any request by a player for the dealer to reveal
cards AFTER the game is completed is at the dealer's discretion.
The organisers reserve the right to adapt
or amend these rules without warning in the event of an
unforeseen situation, and their decision will be final.
BETTING RULES
You must always wait until it is your turn
before making a bet (or folding your hand). If it
is your turn to make the first bet, you can say "check"
if you do not want to make the first move, and the other
players can do the same if they wish (until someone does
make a bet). This option is used for tactical reasons mainly,
or when your hand is not very strong.
Once a bet is made, the next player must either
match the bet, fold or raise it. If a bet is raised, the
following players must match the new bet, fold or re-raise
it if they wish.
When a player goes 'all in', they are betting
all the chips they have in front of them. Occasionally,
other players may have more chips and decide to continue
playing. If this happens, a separate 'pot' is created.
WINNING HANDS
Hands are ranked according to importance and
the table below explains the best and worst hands. In Texas
Hold'em player's can use three or all five of the community
cards (flop), with the cards they are holding (hole cards).
The best hand is a Royal Flush and the lowest hand is one
that contains only a 'high' card.
There are many different poker games and the
rules will vary according to the type and country they are
played in. The rules above apply to an adapted version of
Texas Hold'em (mini-tournament), although they closely follow
those used in the World Series of Poker Tournaments.
