Fairness first
Apply one rule consistently. Unusual cases still require the tournament director’s judgement and the best interest of the game.
THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR’S RULE DESK
Make the ruling. Keep the game moving.
Search the common situation, get the short answer, then open the sourced explanation before the next poker night.
Source and date it
These guides cite the 2024 Poker TDA rules and show when a house policy or local requirement can differ.
Explain the action
Short rulings solve the hand. Worked examples teach players how to avoid the same dispute next time.
QUICK RULING DESK
What just happened at the table?
9 rulings
Poker TDA Rule 44
It is a call unless the player declared raise before the chip reached the table.One oversized chip
A player faces a bet and silently puts in one larger chip. Call or raise?
Facing 600, one silent 1,000 chip calls 600. With no bet to face, the same chip is a 1,000 opening bet.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rule 56
Not without a prior clear declaration. The undeclared multi-motion wager is a string bet.String bet
Can a player put out chips, then reach back for more?
Say “raise to 1,500” before moving chips, or move the complete wager forward in one action.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rule 68
No. The hand remains live, but the player may receive a penalty after the hand.Player exposes a card
Is a tournament hand dead when a player exposes it with action pending?
Stop discussion of the exposed card, complete the hand, then apply the published warning or penalty.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rule 35
No. In hold’em, either of the first two cards exposed is a misdeal; one later exposed downcard normally uses the replacement procedure.Dealer exposes a hole card
Does one dealer-exposed card always mean a misdeal?
Pause the deal and identify the card’s exact position before deciding to redeal.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rules 35–36
Not after substantial action, unless the deck is fouled. The hand generally proceeds under the error-specific procedure.Substantial action
Can the table declare a misdeal after players have acted?
Bet then fold is substantial action. Check, check is not. Any three actions in turn qualify.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rule 16
Every live hand is tabled when at least one player is all-in and no further betting action is possible.All-in cards face up
When must tournament players show their hands in an all-in?
If two covering stacks can still bet a later street, cards stay down until their action is also complete.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rule 16 and standard pot procedure
Only if that player contributed to that pot layer. A player can win no more from an opponent than the amount matched.Side-pot eligibility
Can the shortest all-in stack win a side pot?
A all-in for 1,000 can contest the 1,000-per-player main pot, not the extra chips wagered between B and C.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rule 29
After reasonable time has passed, the tournament director may call the clock or approve a player request.Calling the clock
When can a poker tournament clock be called?
The 2024 TDA standard allows up to 25 seconds plus a five-second countdown, with director discretion.
Read the worked examplesPoker TDA Rule 29
Facing a bet, the hand is dead. Not facing a bet, the action is a check.Time expires
What happens when a player does not act before the action clock reaches zero?
Use a clear final countdown. Under the current TDA rule, a tie at zero goes to the player.
Read the worked examplesPoker Tournament Rules: A Practical Guide for Home Games
The rules that prevent most home-game arguments, explained in plain language with examples and a clear line between standard tournament procedure and house policy.
Read the guideThe Poker One-Chip Rule: Is It a Call or a Raise?
Facing a bet, one oversized chip without saying raise is normally a call. When no bet is faced, that same chip can be the full opening bet.
Read the guidePoker String Bet Rules: What Counts and How to Avoid One
A player cannot put out a bet, return to the stack, and add more chips. Say the action first or move the complete wager in one motion.
Read the guidePoker Misdeal and Exposed Card Rules
One exposed card is not automatically a redeal. The card’s position, the number of exposed cards, and whether substantial action occurred all matter.
Read the guidePoker All-In and Side Pot Rules, with a Worked Example
Match each player only to the amount they can cover, build separate pots, and table every live hand once no further betting is possible.
Read the guidePoker Clock Rule: When Can You Call the Clock?
After reasonable time has passed, a tournament director may approve a clock. The current TDA standard allows up to 25 seconds plus a five-second countdown.
Read the guideRules reference, not legal advice.
Poker TDA rules are an industry reference. Applicable law, gaming regulation, venue policy, and published house rules take priority. PokerTimer Next is tournament-management software and does not operate wagering.
Read the current Poker TDA rules