The following rules are to be used in all Wales Poker League tournaments. They are based on the ones used in many casinos and major tournaments, the WSOP for example, and are there to ensure a fair and correct game. If any occasion arises that is not covered by the rules please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification. To view a full copy of our rules click here (.doc File).
1.1. The game played at Wales Poker League (WPL) events is No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em Poker.
1.2. A standard deck of 52 cards without jokers is used.
1.3. All games are self-dealt. A member of staff may deal the final table of the tournament.
1.4. The 'Dealer Button' indicates where the initial deal will start.
1.5. High card is dealt for dealer position (anti-clockwise).
1.6. The dealer must ask the small blind to cut the cards. If the small blind declines then the dealer must cut the cards. The cards must be cut at least 5 cards from either end of the pack.
1.7. The blinds must always follow the same order around the table, i.e. a player in a WPL tournament may never miss or skip his/her turn as small blind, big blind or dealer position.
1.8. One card face down is dealt to each player in a clockwise direction from the dealer button and a second card is then dealt to each player in the same way to complete the 'Initial Deal'. (The small blind and big blind must be posted before cards are dealt).
1.9. After the initial deal the following playing actions will occur:
1.9.1. All participants, in the order in which the cards were dealt, will decide whether to CALL, RAISE or FOLD their hand.
1.9.2. 'The Flop' - The dealer will burn one (1) card face down and deal three (3) cards face up.
1.9.3. An action round as in 9.1.
1.9.4. 'The Turn' - After all playing action is decided the dealer will burn one card and deal one (1) card face up.
1.9.5. Another action round will take place as in point 9.1.
1.9.6. After all action is finalized on the turn, a final dealing round of community cards is dealt called 'The River' by burning one (1) card and dealing one (1) card face up. A fourth and final action round will take place as in point 9.1.
1.10. The highest hand (according to Hand Rank see 1.12. below) wins the pot. Any side pots from all-in action are awarded accordingly.
1.11. If a pot is split leaving an odd chip that cannot be divided it will go to the active player in that showdown closest to the left of the dealer button.
1.12. Hand ranking is as follows from lowest to highest:
· High Card
· One Pair
· Two Pairs
· Three of a Kind
· Straight
· Flush
· Full House
· Four of a Kind
· Straight Flush
· Royal Flush
1.13. An Ace may count as high or low. Tied hands have the winner determined by card value rundown. The pot is split if both players have identical hands.
1.14. Betting:
1.14.1. The minimum bet (pre flop) is what the big blind is. If a raise is made, the raise must be a minimum of the big blind. After the raise the minimum bet is what the player raised the bet to. The minimum raise is what the player raised by.
Example: Blinds are 50/100. Minimum bet is 100, minimum raise would be to 200. The next minimum raise would be to 300 as the last raise was by 100.
Example: Blinds are 50/100. Minimum bet is 100, minimum raise would be to 200. The next minimum raise would be to 300 as the last raise was by 100.
1.14.2. The minimum bet (after the flop) is what the big blind is, but if the first player makes a raise, it (the raise) does not have to be by a minimum of the big blind. After the raise the minimum bet is what the player raised the bet to and the minimum raise becomes what the player raised by.
Example: Blinds are 50/100. First bet is 100, the minimum allowed, raise is then to 150. The next raise would have to be to 200 at least as the raise was by 50.
Example: Blinds are 50/100. First bet is 100, the minimum allowed, raise is then to 150. The next raise would have to be to 200 at least as the raise was by 50.
1.14.3. If a player moves all in for less than the minimum raise players acting after the all in may still raise, this must be at least the minimum normal raise allowed.
Example: Blinds are 1000/2000. Pre flop the first player bets 2000, next player goes all in for 2500. The next minimum raise would have to be 4000. Post flop the minimum raise would be to 3000.
Example: Blinds are 1000/2000. Pre flop the first player bets 2000, next player goes all in for 2500. The next minimum raise would have to be 4000. Post flop the minimum raise would be to 3000.
1.15. When the event becomes Head's Up (i.e. only two players remain) the dealer button will post the small blind (SB) and the second player will post the big blind (BB) (If the dealer button is not on a player then the player left of the dealer button becomes the dealer. Otherwise the dealer button moves accordingly). Cards are dealt to the BB first. Pre-flop SB is first to act. On the flop, turn and river, BB is first to act.
1.16. Players must leave their tables and playing area during the break.
1.17. Players are not allowed to leave their table with their chips, the playing cards, the dealer button or the cut card.
1.18. A 'chip up' must take place during the break.
1.19. If there is an odd number of the lowest value chips left, after the 'chip up', a 'race off' will take place when the players come back to their tables after the break.
1.20. The 'race off':
1.20.1. Each player places his/her odd number of lowest value chips in front of them
1.20.2. The Tournament Host then deals each person a card (anti-clockwise from the button) for the number of chips each player has placed in front of themselves.
1.20.3. Chips are given out to the highest ranked cards.
1.20.4. A player may not win more than one chip in the race off.
1.20.5. A player may not be removed from the tournament due to the race off. If the player has only enough chips left for the race off and does not win then they are given one higher denomination chip. This chip is in addition to the chips being raced off.
1.20.6. Cards are cleared and race-off chips are removed from play.
1.21. If a player does not return to his place:
1.21.1. And it is before the final 2 tables; his/her chips will be blinded off until the table breaks. The chips will then be taken out of the game, or
1.21.2. It is the final two tables; their chips will be live and remain in the game as if they were still there. The chips will receive cards and be blinded as per normal. When the chips are exhausted the point position will be awarded.
1.21.3. If chips are still in play when there are only nine players left the player will go out in ninth place, and their chips will be removed from play, as they are not there to move their chips onto the other table.
1.22. Once the tournament is down to the last 8 players they will move on to the final table. Cards from Ace to 8 will be placed around the table and players will draw for seating. The dealer will be the player who drew the Ace, small blind will be number 2, large blind number 3.
1.23. The Tournament Host will deal the final table when there is an available seating position for him/her to do so.
1.24. All rules and decisions are left solely with the Tournament Host and will be made in the best interest of all Wales Poker League Players.
Irregularities:
1.25. If the first hole card dealt is exposed, a misdeal results. The dealer will retrieve the card, reshuffle, and re-cut the cards. If any other hole card is exposed due to a dealer error, the deal continues. The exposed card may not be kept. After completing the deal, the dealer replaces the card with the top card on the deck, and the exposed card is then used for the burn card. Note: If the card exposed had been the dealer’s card then the small blind cuts the cards before the next card is dealt, this avoids two cards being dealt in succession.
1.26. If more than one hole card is exposed, this is a misdeal and there must be a re-deal.
1.27. If a card is dealt off the table a misdeal results.
1.28. If the flop contains too many cards, it (the flop) must be re-dealt. (This applies even if it were possible to know which card was the extra one.)
1.29. If the flop needs to be re-dealt because the cards were prematurely flopped before the betting was complete, or the flop contained too many cards, the board cards are mixed with the remainder of the deck (as in the previous Irregularity).
1.30. If the dealer turns the fourth card on the board before the betting round is complete, the card is taken out of play for that round, even if subsequent players elect to fold. The betting is then completed. The dealer burns and turns what would have been the fifth card in the fourth card's place. After this round of betting, the dealer reshuffles the deck, including the card that was taken out of play, but not including the burn cards or discards. The dealer then cuts the deck and turns the final card without burning a card. If the fifth card is turned up prematurely, the deck is reshuffled and dealt in the same manner.
1.31. If the dealer mistakenly deals the first player an extra card (after all players have received their starting hands), the card will be returned to the deck and used for the burn card. If the dealer mistakenly deals more than one extra card, it is a misdeal.
1.32. If a player folds out of turn and the cards are mucked, he/she must be warned not do so again.
1.33. If a player bets or checks before their turn but does not move their chips in to the pot, he/she then must wait for their turn and can only follow the bet or check or fold.
1.34. If a player bets out of turn by moving their chips into the pot, their bet is ignored but, their chips must stay in the pot and will only receive them back if the bet is under the value of their bet. He/she then cannot raise, but only call the bet. If he/she is under the bet, he/she is allowed to call the bet but not raise. If he/she folds then the amount of chips that he/she placed the initial 'out of turn' bet stays in the pot.
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When playing poker it is important to know that a general code of conduct exists. The following is a set of rules to enable the smooth running of the game. Remember poker is a sociable and entertaining game. By consistently breaking any of the rules below and causing disruption the WPL will take disciplinary action if necessary.
2.1 No mobile phones are allowed at the tables. Players must move away from the table and may not play their hand whilst using a phone.
2.2 Players must keep all their chips in plain view of others on the table with their highest denomination chips visible.
2.3 Players must not touch another player’s chips.
2.4 Chips may not be transferred from one player to another.
2.5 Players must not show their cards to anyone until the hand has finished including spectators.
2.6 Cards must be kept on the table. Holding cards out of view is disallowed.
2.7 Acting out of turn is not allowed.
2.8 Players must not make statements regarding their hands or react to dealt cards whilst the hand is being played. This rule stands whether the player is still in the hand or not.
2.9 Throwing chips, or ‘splashing’ the pot, is not allowed. Bets should be placed in front of the player until all betting is complete.
2.10 At no time are players allowed to go through the muck.
2.11 ‘Rabbit hunting’ or completing a deal to see ‘what if’ is strictly disallowed.
2.12 A tournament host will declare a hand dead if any card(s) are shown, or verbally declared, if all betting has not been completed. This includes when deciding to call an all-in.
2.13 It is the player/s responsibility to protect their hand at all times. Any cards mucked must remain mucked and declared dead. At no time are players allowed to go through the muck, doing so will incur a penalty.
2.14 Players may join the tournament until the break, at the end of the fourth blind (but see 2.15 below). Once they are seated the must place the following chips into the pot: First level = 75 chips, Second level = 225 chips, Third level = 450 chips and Fourth level = 750, this is regardless of their position on the table. For example if they join the table in the big blind position , during the first blinds, they would have to post the blind as well as the 75 into the pot.
2.15 The only time a player may not join the tournament late would be if there were less than 16 players initially and one player had already left the game, as this would effect the points awarded.
2.16 In the event of a player being eliminated from the tournament in the following positions:
2.16.1. Small blind position: The next hand the dealer button is moved to where the small blind was in the previous hand, which is now a 'dead dealer' position.
2.16.2. The person that was in big blind position now posts the small blind
2.16.3. The person that was one before the big blind position (i.e. the person that was next to post big blind) now posts the big blind
2.16.4. The person that was in the dealer position (now one behind the dealer position) now deals the hand for the 'dead dealer', but does not have the dealer button.
2.16.5. Big blind position: The next hand the dealer button moves to where small blind was posted.
2.16.6. The small blind moves to where the big blind was posted. But is becomes a 'dead small blind' (i.e. small blind is not posted as there are no players in this seat)
2.16.7. The big blind is posted by the player who was one after the big blind previously (i.e. the player one position to the left of the previous big blind)
2.16.8. The next hand the dealer button moves to where small blind was posted
2.16.9. The small blind moves to where the big blind was posted
2.16.10. The big blind moves the position one after where the big blind was posted. This is a 'dead' position (i.e. no player is seated in this position). Now because of the 'dead' position the big blind moves to the next position where there is a player seated. There is never a 'dead big blind', the big blind must always be posted
2.16.11. If a player joins the table in a 'dead' dealer position then he/she may deal and play the hand.
2.16.12. If a player joins the table in a small blind or big blind position that is a 'dead' position, he/she may post those blinds and play that hand. If not, he/she must sit out the hands until the dealer button passes him/her.
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3.1. The sequence.
3.1.1. The player to the left of the button posts the small blind.
3.1.2. The player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind.
3.1.3. Each player, beginning with the player to the left of the button, is dealt two cards face-down (The Pocket Cards).
3.1.4. The first betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind. The small and big blinds may fold, check, call, or raise, as appropriate, when called upon to act.
3.1.5. The dealer burns one card and turns three-community cards face-up (The Flop).
3.1.6. The second betting round begins with the player to the left of the button.
3.1.7. The dealer burns one card and turns one community card face-up (The Turn).
3.1.8. The third betting round begins with the player to the left of the button.
3.1.9. The dealer burns one card and turns one community card face-up (The River).
3.1.10. The fourth, and final, betting round begins with the player to the left of the button.
3.1.11. Card showdown with the pot being awarded to the winner(s).
3.1.12. The dealer button is advanced clockwise one player.
3.2. Texas Hold 'Em uses a dealer button to indicate the dealer. After each hand is complete, the button moves clockwise to the next active player. This player is referred to as "the button" and is considered to be “the dealer” for that hand.
3.3. The First Round:
3.3.1. The player to the left of the button is required to post the small blind. The small blind is usually equal to half the amount of the big blind. The player to the left of the small blind is required to post the big blind. All blinds in Hold’ Em Poker are considered live bets and the players who posted them have the option of checking, calling, raising or folding when the betting returns to their position.
3.3.2. After the blinds have been posted, two hole cards are dealt to each active player, after which the first betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind. There is no limit to the number, or quantity, of raises that a player may make in any round.
3.3.3. A player who does not have enough chips to call a bet is declared "All-In". That player is eligible for the portion of the pot to the point of his final wager, the "main pot". All further betting action involving other players takes place in a "side pot", which is unavailable to the player who has already gone “All-In”.
3.4. The Second Round:
3.4.1. After the first round of betting, the dealer burns one card and turns three community cards (The Flop) face-up on the table. The community cards are common to all the players participating in the hand.
3.4.2. The second betting round begins with the first active player to the left of the button.
3.5. The Third Round:
3.5.1. After the second round of betting, the dealer burns one card and turns the fourth community card (The Turn) face-up on the table.
3.5.2. The third betting round begins with the first active player to the left of the button.
3.6. The Fourth Round:
3.6.1. After the third round of betting, the dealer burns one card and turns the fifth community card (The River) face-up on the table.
3.6.2. The fourth, and final, betting round begins with the first active player to the left of the button.
3.7. The Showdown:
3.7.1. After the final round of betting, there is a card showdown. Each player displays their cards and one or more winners are declared. All five cards must be shown to win. A combination of any of the following may be used:
3.7.2. Both hole cards and three community cards
3.7.3. One hole card and four community cards
3.7.4. All five community cards (playing the board)
3.8. All hands must be shown at the showdown (this is to stop any collusion).
3.9. If two or more hands are the same ranking, the winner is the one having the higher cards. If the hands are tied, the highest card not being held in common (the kicker) determines the winner. The suit order of the cards is not taken into account while determining the winning hand(s). Should poker hands be absolutely identical in ranking, the pot will be split evenly between the winning players. If there is an odd chip, the winning player closest to the left of the button will receive it.
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High Card: No other combination, the value of the highest card wins.
Pair: A hand with two cards of the same rank.
Two Pair: A hand with two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Three of a Kind: A hand with three cards of the same rank.
Straight: A hand with all five cards in sequence but not all in one suit.
Flush: A hand with all five cards in the same suit but not all in a sequence.
Full House: A hand with three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. 
Four of a Kind: A hand with four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush: A hand with all five cards in sequence and of the same suit.
Royal Flush: A hand with A, K, Q, J and 10 all of the same suit.