River Takes All Poker Tournaments

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RULES

Texas Hold 'Em Rules:

Texas Hold 'Em is a seven card poker game with simple rules that a beginner can easily learn and begin to play immediately. In spite of the simplicity, it is a fast and complex game that takes skill and practice to master. No wonder it has become one of the most popular forms of poker played today.

Texas Hold 'Em uses a disc called a dealer button to indicate where the cards are to be dealt. Prior to the deal, the two players to the left of the button place live bets called the small and large blinds. It's called blind because it's made prior to seeing any cards. It's called live because it counts as part of any further bets in the first betting round.

The play begins with two cards dealt facedown to each player. Action starts with a betting round beginning with the player to the left of the blind bets and continuing clockwise around the table. Players may bet, check, raise, or fold in turn. The large blind has the privilege of last action and may check or raise the bet.

Three community cards (called, THE FLOP) are then dealt face up in the center of the table and another betting round takes place beginning with the player to the left of the dealer button. Another card (called, THE TURN) is dealt face up followed by a round of betting. The fifth and last card (called, THE RIVER) is dealt face up and a final round of betting takes place.

Players remaining in the hand will then show their cards and the winning poker hand will be awarded the pot. Any combination of hole cards and community cards may be used to make the best five-card poker hand.

River Takes All Rules

Players must register before playing.

Behavior

Players behaving inappropriately will be subject to elimination from that event and possible elimination from future RIVER TAKES ALL events. Fighting, cheating, and profane or offensive language are all examples of inappropriate behavior. Depending on the severity of the offense, players may be removed for one night, week, month, quarter or year. Hosts may suspend players for one night, and inform supervisors of the suspension. Supervisors and managers will determine if any suspension should continue for a longer period of time, and will inform the player. Hosts can issue "time outs" for 10, 20, or 30 minutes for players that are unruly. The other players at the table should post the players' blinds when necessary. Cheating - Players caught cheating will be disqualified from current and future events promoted by RIVER TAKES ALL.

Player ID

Each player will have a unique player number assigned to them by RIVER TAKES ALL Points - It is the player's responsibility to sign in with their player ID number before the tournament in order to receive points for play.

RIVER TAKES ALL POINT SYSTEM

The RIVER TAKES ALL point system is designed for players to accumulate points in various ways, resulting in the earning of real prizes. Players earn points for every tournament event they participate in, as well as bonus points for winning or finishing near the top of our daily tournaments. Bonus points can be earned in a number of ways ranging from designated Double Point Days to referral points, bounty points, sit-n-go game points, and winning a River Takes All hand.

These points accumulate and will qualify a player for the Monthly Main Event  Every time you play you get 40 points.If you finish in the top ten at an event you get bonus points. These points count towards your overall ranking. Your ranking shows your standing amongst the rest of the players in the league.

Any player who has won a tournament during the course of the month is automatically invited to the Monthly Main Event.

Monthly Qualifying

In addition to tournament winners, players with the highest monthly point totals or averages along with those players who have participated in the highest number of games during the month will be invited to the Monthly Main Event.

The amount of points you receive depends on the number of participants in the tournament.Here is a table showing the number of points you receive for the number of players participating:

Three Tier Structure

Players that play in smaller tournaments are not as challenged as those in larger tournaments. A tournament with more players is more challenging, and therefore should reward the players placing in the top ten.

Other Point Accumulating Opportunities:

Chasing the Bounty

At the beginning of every tournament a random player is designated as the bounty at each table. Using a deck of cards, each player picks a card; the highest card becomes the dealer; while the lowest card becomes the bounty. If two people tie for either the high or low card, they will pick again until the dealer or bounty has been determined. If any RTA employees are playing in the tournament, they are also designated as double bounties. Every bounty is worth 50 points. If you are designated the bounty, and you end up winning the tournament, you will receive the 50 point bonus.

Referral Points

Referral points are given when you refer a new player to RIVER TAKES ALL. The point value is 20 points.

Seating

Players may choose to sit at any table they wish during a nightly event. Neither the host nor any player may save a seat for another player. Chips and Cards - must remain on or above the table at all times. Players may not share their chips or cards with other players. Chip or card sharing are considered forms of cheating and players who do so are subject to suspension. If a player leaves their seat, the dealer will put their blind amounts in play when the absent player is required to post blinds. Chips that are left unattended for more than 30 minutes will be removed from the game.

Coloring Up

Coloring up will occur as necessary, in order to keep the flow of the game consistent.

Dealer

To choose a dealer, the cards will be shuffled and spread over the table face down. Each player will draw one card. 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. The dealer is the only person allowed to handle chips or cards that do not belong to a player (folded hands, chips in the pot). If there is a split pot due to a tie hand and the dealer is not able to split the pot, the host is to be called over. Who Deals? - Players shall rotate dealership duties. The dealer will also play in the hand, and should deal himself in.

Shuffling

Before every hand, the cards must be shuffled face down at least 3 times.

Cutting Cards

The player to the right of the dealer will cut the cards before they are dealt. When available, a cut card must be used. The player cutting the cards will place the cut card anywhere in the deck. The cut card along with the cards above it will be moved to the bottom of the deck, and the cut card will remain on the bottom of the deck.

Misdeal

During the deal if any card is flipped up, or any player gets the wrong amount of cards, or the deal is done in the wrong order, it is considered a misdeal. All cards are then re-shuffled and dealt again.

Split Pots

In the case of a split pot that results in one extra chip, the extra chip will go to the player just left of the dealer.

Coaching

There is no coaching allowed. The host is the only person that can coach a player on how the game is played. The host is not allowed to tell a player how to bet a hand.

Blinds

The blind positions always remain 2 left of the dealer. The first person left of the dealer will be the small blind, and the second person to the left will be the Big Blind. The blind amounts will start at 25 (small), and 50 (big) chips, and will be raised every 15 minutes regardless of who is playing and their chip count. - When there are only two players, the dealer (or button) is always the small blind, and the other player is the big blind. The player on the button is therefore the first to act before the flop, but last to act for all remaining betting rounds.

Action

Players will have 60 seconds to act on their hand when the bet comes to them. If they do not act, it is considered a folded hand. Players that are not in their seat when it is their turn to act will have their hand mucked by the dealer. The dealer should let the host know that they are going to muck a hand. This also applies when the player is in a blind position.

Bets

The minimum bet will be equal to the big blind, raises can be any amount over the big blind. If a player does not have the minimum bet (i.e.: minimum bet is 400, the player is all in for 100), all other players in the hand must bet the minimum bet. If only one player calls the all in, that player can pull back 300. If two or more players call the all in, the "all in" player is only entitled to 100 chips from each player that is in the hand.

Verbal Declarations

Verbal declarations as to the contents of a player's hand are not binding and the cards speak for themselves. However, verbal declarations concerning an action in turn (check, bet, raise, and bet amounts) are binding and must be carried out.

Raises

Raises can be any amount over the big blind. There is no minimum raise.

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 a split pot. Players that are involved in an "all in" hand, must turn their hand over in front of them, and then the dealer will declare the winner.

Mucked/Folded Hands

When a player declares that they are folding, the dealer will collect the cards and put them in a single pile in front of his/her self. No other players may look at the cards. If a player throws their cards into the middle of the table, it is considered a folded/mucked hand, and the dealer is to collect the cards and place them in a pile in front of his/her self.

Table Moves

During the tournament tables will be consolidated. Players will move wherever instructed to, and if they are moved into a spot within 3 positions left of the dealer, they may choose to let the deal pass them. After the deal has passed the player, they are required to begin playing. - When a table has less than 6 players, that table will be broken up and the players will be moved into the other tables still playing in the tournament. The players will move to wherever the host instructs them to move. If two or more people are moved into a table, the cards will be shuffled and a new dealer will be chosen. There may be instances where hosts need to move one or two people to even out the number of players at each table. In this case, the host will shuffle the cards, and deal one card face up to every player. The player(s) with the lowest card(s) will move.

Late Players

A player may enter the tournament at any time before the blinds are 100 and 200. As soon as the 100/200 blind is announced no players are allowed in. When entering the tournament late, players must sit where they are instructed. If a late player is moved to one of the 3 positions left of the dealer, the player has the option to let the deal pass. As soon as the deal has passed the late player, they are required to begin playing. - Late players must pay a penalty based on when they join the tournament. This penalty is the combined total of the current blinds and is placed in the center of the table (in the pot). The player must then call the blind or raise for that hand to be able to play. For example: players entering the game when the blinds are at 25/50 will pay a penalty of 75 chips and then begin playing. Players entering the game when the blinds are at 50/100 will pay a penalty of 150 chips into the pot and then begin playing.

Final Table

At the final table, if two or more people are knocked out in the same hand each player will receive points for the higher place. (i.e.: If 7 players are left, and 2 go out, each player will receive points for 6th place).

Prizes

The host will give out prizes at each location in the way the location wishes. If the players at the table wish to split a cash prize, all players competing for the prize must agree on the terms of the split. If all players do not agree, then the prize will be given out the way the location desires. - Example: There is a $50.00 cash prize for the winner of the tournament. The last two players are at the table. One of the players suggests splitting the prize (i.e. 35 for first, and 15 for second). If the other player does not agree, the prize of $50.00 cash to first place is how the prize will be distributed. - Hosts will not alter prize amounts unless it is suggested and agreed by the players at the final table unanimously. Hosts will not alter the prize amount on their own accord.

Any disputes will be settled by tournament hosts. Those decisions are final.

By participating in RIVER TAKES ALL tournaments, players agree to the rules and regulations set by RIVER TAKES ALL. Any and All Rules are subject to change without notice.

Big winners can qualify for big prizes. Rules are designed for this type of tournament play. While some rules are the same as you would find in casinos or at the World Series of Poker, some are different and in some cases, substantially different. RIVER TAKES ALL poker tournaments are FREE. They are designed to allow people of all levels of experience to play, improve their skill and enjoy themselves.

When playing in a RIVER TAKES ALL Texas Hold 'Em tournament, please remember that all levels of players are participating, and are entitled to play in a fun, and friendly environment. Playing with other people and learning how other people play is an integral part in learning how to play cards. Also please remember this costs you nothing, so go ahead and have some fun yourself.

Rules will vary from environment to environment, (i.e.: casinos, peoples homes, etc.). Always feel free to inquire about the rules at a RIVER TAKES ALL event or for that matter, wherever you may play.