**SALEM POKER STARS**                                          3-1-10

GAME RULES & TABLE ETIQUETTE

 

WELCOME!  These are basic rules & table etiquette from “Robert’s Rules” and set forth by **Salem Poker Stars** for all poker tournaments and are NOT inclusive.  Situations may occur to announce and enforce additional rules.  Effective January 1, 2009, smoking and/or the use of any tobacco product will not be allowed at our tournaments.  A complete set of rules is available for review from any tournament director, or Hal & Kerri.  They are also posted on the North wall of the poker room at Speakeasy.  Hal & Kerri will maintain the same seats in every tournament.  Due to the nature of our “jobs”, we must be accessible to the players, chips, sign-up & points sheets, etc, therefore, we will not move to balance tables.

 

1.  Cell phones are not allowed at the table.  If you must use your phone for calls or important texting, please  be considerate to others & leave the table.  Texting has become an increasingly annoying problem.  Please refrain from texting at the tables!  Spirit Mountain requires you to leave the poker room, all we’re asking is that you move away from the table.

 

2.  Tobacco products are not allowed at any of our tournaments – this includes chew of any kind!

 

3.  A 10 minute break will be taken each time we chip-up (1st break - about an hour into the game).

 

4.  The dealer controls the table – ie cards, chips in the pot, making change, decisions on splitting pots, determining the winner of each hand, disputes, etc.  The dealer should lay down the flop, turn and river cards IN ORDER, left to right.  Do not overlap the cards or mix them up.  If a discrepancy occurs, ask for assistance from the tournament director or Hal & Kerri for a final decision.

 

5.  We will follow the “one chip rule”, ie, betting an “over-valued” chip, is NOT considered a raise unless verbally declared prior to making the bet.  Verbal declarations ARE binding.

 

6.  Be considerate to your fellow players!!  NO foul, demeaning or abusive language.  NO splashing the pot, NO string bets, NO side bets (against the law) and NO straddle bets!  Do NOT throw chips or any other objects at any player!  Time out and/or other penalty may occur.  Do NOT put chips in your pockets at any time.  If you need help carrying chips to another table, please ask the T.D. for assistance.  Celebrating is understandable, please keep it at a minimum.

 

7.  If you are not at the table when the last card is dealt, your cards will be mucked.  Extra time may be given to the T.D. and/or SPS managers who are resolving problems or handling poker business.  Effective Jan 1, 2009, if a player misses three (3) big blinds, his/her chips will be removed from play.

 

8.  Cards are to be kept on the table at all times, do not hold them in your hands or your lap.  This includes the deck, if you are the dealer.

 

9.  Protect your cards; card markers are encouraged & should be used!

 

10.  One player per hand – do not share your cards or chips with another player.  If you show your cards to another player, you MUST show the entire table.  (Show one, show all!)  Sharing chips with another player for his/her benefit, is not allowed.  If you show your cards to anyone during a hand, your cards will be declared dead.

 

11.  Intentional “dumping” is not allowed.  Penalty will occur if this practice is observed and/or reported to management.

 

12.  Extra points will be given for high hands.  Dealers will report any high hand to the tournament director or Kerri.  A “High Hand” consists of any of the following hands: 

 

ACES FULL OF KINGS – 100 points

QUADS – 150 points

STRAIGHT FLUSH – 250 points

ROYAL FLUSH – 500 points

 

 

                                                                                   

13.  Going “all-in” in an attempt to leave the game early is NOT allowed.  If you need to leave early, our rules require you to turn in your chips to the tournament director, Hal or Kerri.   For some players, this seems to be a “perfect” time for a player who wants to leave to “dump” his/her chips.  This is not allowed & if observed by any other player, it should be reported to the T.D., Hal or Kerri.  The player who is dumping will be asked to leave the game immediately!  Some players may feel reluctant to report this abusive behavior, however, your anonymity will be secure.  Reporting unfavorable behavior is an act of protecting your fellow players, not snitching!  Effective January 1, 2009, chips from an absent player (one who misses 3 big blinds) or a player who has left the game, will be removed from play.

 

14.  Once we are “in points” (usually Top 15 players), and you go out, please check out with the T.D. or Kerri.  Failure to check out may result in a loss of points.  **Salem Poker Stars** is not responsible for missing points if you fail to check out.

 

15.  If you are a spectator, please do not stand directly behind any player - you must be 2-4ft away from the table.  Talking to any player during a hand is not allowed. 

 

**Salem Poker Stars** is always striving for better relationships, harmony at our games and overall enjoyment for the love of poker!  To accomplish that, these rules will be enforced for everyone.  We hope you have fun and GOOD LUCK!!  We thank you for your support.  See you on the felt!!  

                                                                       

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