Without a doubt, a few things will happen at the 2009 WSOP:
1. Hundreds of players will ask rule questions.
2. Table captains will offer their vast rule knowledge.
3. At least one dealer will make a mistake (unlike real life where mistakes never, ever, ever happen).
4. And just a hunch on this one… Phil Hellmuth will get a penalty.
Of course, these things go on in home games too. You know what I’m talking about… the ol’ “Well, that’s not how they do it at the WSOP” argument. So, below (copy and paste style but not the italics) are a few of the 2009 WSOP rules for your review to ensure quality game time, reduce table captains and just to ruffle a few feathers. Or at least in my experience… where there are rules… there are ruffled feathers.
Under no circumstance may players seated at televised Final or Feature add logos, patches or promotional language to their apparel after the beginning of that day’s session of play.
A player must be at his or her seat by the time all players have been dealt complete initial hands to have a live hand. Players must be at their seats to call time. “At your seat” is defined as being within reach or touch of your chair.
A hand begins with the first riffle.
A player who intentionally dodges his or her blind(s) when moving from a broken table must forfeit both blinds and incur a penalty, in accordance with Rule No.
All cards will be turned face up once a player is all in and all action is complete. If a player accidentally folds/mucks their hand before cards are turned up, the Tournament Staff reserves the right to retrieve the folded/mucked cards if the cards are clearly identifiable.
The breaking order for an Event will be posted at the close of registration for that Event.
Players are obligated to protect the other players in the Tournament at all times. Therefore, whether in a hand or not, players may not a.) disclose contents of live or folded hands, b.) advise or criticize play before the action is completed, or c.) read a hand that hasn’t been tabled. While in a hand, players may not a) discuss hands or strategy with any spectator, or b) seek or receive consultation from an outside source. Players may speak freely as to the contents of their hand during heads up play only; however, players will be penalized should any discussion lead to collusion. The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced. Players who violate this rule are subject to penalty in accordance with Rule 31, 52, and 53.
Players are entitled to be informed of the pot size in pot-limit games only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit games. If requested, dealers may spread the pot so that it can be counted by a player.
Chip race rule: Race-off is defined as removal of a denomination chip no longer in use. When it is time to color-up chips, they will be raced off with a maximum of one chip going to any player. The chip race will always start at the first player left of the dealer. A player cannot be raced out of a Tournament. In the event that a player has only one chip remaining, the regular race procedure will take place. If that player loses the race, he or she will be given one chip of the smallest denomination still in play. Players found to have lower denomination chips remaining in their stack after the race-off will forfeit those chips unless they are equivalent in value to a chip still in play. Players are encouraged to witness the chip race.
Cell Phone Rule: All cell phones and other voice-enabled and “ringing” electronic devices must be silenced during play. A player who wants to use a cell phone to talk, text, or email must step away from their assigned table or be subject to penalty. Any player using a cellular phone while in a hand with no action pending (player has gone all-in) will receive a missed hand penalty to be assessed on the next hand. No cell phones or other electronic communication device can be placed on a poker table.
Approved Electronic Device Rule: Players are allowed to use as approved electronic devices iPods, MP3 and other music players or noise-reduction headsets during play until they have reached the money in any Event, so long as the approved electronic devices can not access the internet, send or receive SMS texts and are not equipped with any type of communication device. Therefore, iPhones, iTouch, Treos, Blackberrys, and other similar devices will not be allowed at any time. Once players are in the money in any Event, all approved electronic devices must be removed. An announcement will be made to players once they have reached the money to remove all such electronic devices. Failure to do so will results in a penalty up to and including disqualification, in accordance with Rule 52.
Dealers will be responsible for calling string bets/raises. All players at the table are encouraged to assist in calling a string bet/raise if a dealer fails to identify it. String bets/raises called by a player must be verified by a floor person. A string bet/raise is defined as attempting a bet or raise in multiple movements that include a return to a player’s stack without a prior verbal declaration of intent or visual deception intended to induce action out of turn before a player’s action is complete.
There will be dinner Breaks for all Events that begin at 12 noon. It will be anticipated to begin after the end of six levels of play. Dinner Breaks will last 90 minutes. There will be no staggered Dinner breaks.
Read the all the WSOP Rules here.
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