Builing Alarm rang during a tournament

[Boris]

Hello folks,

I experienced this in a tournament this weekend.

10 tables
8-Max
Round 2

And suddenly, an alarm starts to ring in the building. As he could be a fire alarm, security procedure is to ask people to reach te security waypoint outside the building.

Considering, all tables have a hand in progress, what would you do in this case as a TD ?

[Nick C]

Boris,

 That's a good one. I'd freeze the action and evacuate the card room. Hopefully, we would be able to resume upon our return. I lived in Las Vegas in 1980 and remember vividly the MGM Grand fire that swept through the casino and claimed numerous lives. Forget the chips and get the hell out.

[Dave Miller]

Unless fire officials give other instructions, get everyone out as quickly but as orderly as possible. Assume the fire danger is real.

Once the emergency is over, you can come back and review the video if there are any questions or other issues.

[BillM16]

Considering, all tables have a hand in progress, what would you do in this case as a TD ?

Does the venue have a sophisticated security system that could ensure the integrity of the game in this circumstance, in a timely manner?  Identifying all of the risks and countermeasures would be overwhelming. 

I would rule that all hands are dead and rewind the action.  The best interest of the game and fairness are the top priorities in decision-making here, as in all cases.  I cannot imagine another ruling that could be applied equally across all tables and meet those objectives.

[Brian Vickers]

I actually had this happen once.  Tournament was down to 3 players, all 3 were in the money.  Fire alarm went off.  Voice comes over PA saying "please exit the casino."  There was a hand in process.  I walked to the table, told players "no more betting on this hand," instructed dealer to run board out and award pot to best hand.  I then instructed players to leave their chips on the table and exit the building.  There actually was a fire on one of the upper floors and it took 3 hours before the building was able to be reoccupied. 

I fully expected that the players had left, so I had already planned on forcing an even chop and bagging their money for pick up later but the 3 guys were all still there and wanted to resume play.  Employees were put in another area outside than our guests so I had no idea that they would have stuck around.

I don't really have any advice on the matter, just felt like sharing my story, lol.

[BillM16]

Very interesting Brian.  Thanks for sharing. 

[Max D]

Interesting to hear a real life example that ended well.

[Brian Vickers]

After this fire, our table games and poker room got new lids.  These new lids require a key to open, but don't require a key to close; they just snap locked.  Very handy should there be a need for quick evacuation as the dealer can throw both decks in the well and snap the lid shut without the floor assisting.

[Boris]

Thank you for your answers folks.

It was a freeroll tournament with no camera (No money in the building), and took place in a community building.
TD decided to freeze the action. Players first went out, then staff to ensure integrity.

It was an intrusion alarm which triggered with no reason (issue is known from the city) =)

Thank you for your stories !