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#51
Sorry to revive an old tread, but Is there clear verbiage in the TDA Rules that indicate who are the blinds when players are eliminated resulting in head-up play? If not, can we add it?

All I could find in the TDA rules, is that when going to heads-up, a player can't be BB twice. WSOP rules say the same thing. There's nothing in either that says a player can or can't be SB twice.

The TD of a charity poker company that does tournaments for various charities almost every week (sometimes more than one in a weekend), insists that the rule is you can't be BB OR SB twice in a row.

Therefore, when three handed, he says that if the BB is eliminated, the SB can't be SB again so he becomes the BB, while the button becomes the SB.

I've always believed it was just the opposite of what he says. The player to the BB's left (button) becomes the next BB and the other player is the SB & Button.

In fact, over the years, I've written in several posts on these forums without getting corrected, and saw other people's posts saying the same thing, so it would be nice if the rules state it as well.


FYI: I've been an unlicensed dealer in a pub league for about 15 years. No license required since there's no cash involved. I've trained new dealers. I recently got a license to allow me to deal in charity events. Is it SO nice being able to deal, and be able to call the floor rather than settle rules issues myself.

It was at one of those events where I saw it. I was internally losing my mind when it happened.

Thanks.
#52
For me, C move is OOT as B hasn't finished his play ("raise" with no amount can't be considered as a complete play).

So C should be given hand back "freely" (B final move will be "Raise X" so C is not engaged any more).
So no obligation to call (20000 or any other amount)

But C should also be penalized for playing OOT (and more penalized if he doesn't call a "standard" raise.
#53
Event structuring / Re: How Do You Manage Bounties...
Last post by Al1_FFPA - July 09, 2025, 08:47:09 AM
I've seen this way in tournaments in France :
* Each player is given 2 bounty chips (each has value half of initial bounty value)
* Players MUST let bounty chips visible all the time
* When a player is knocked out, his bounty chips are given to the one who knocked him out, and this one keeps half on chips (rounded up) in his pocket as 'real' winnings and puts the other half with his own bounty chips.

#54
I'm ok with the 'technical' official rule, player in B doesn't play this hand and the next one when A has the button and C is the small blind.

But I clearly understand the 'option' to let B come in the game as Big Blind, coming immediately in the game.
#55
I have had experience in past tournaments when players are eliminated and tables are broken and the best solution is to redraw seating and establish a new draw for the button.  Who gets the blinds after multiple players are eliminated in the same hand, or when players are forced to move to another table.
In these situations, it could be possible that any player might get the BB even though he posted the blind in his last hand.
#56
I was playing in Vegas last week. On one hand, at the showdown, I made the mistake of showing my hand before the other person, even though they were the aggressor. When they attempted to fold, I asked to see the hand, but then quickly retracted my request.

Although we moved on to the next hand, the floor came over to explain that the rule is really only if collusion is suspected.

FYI. I try to remember to wait for the aggressor to either show their hand or throw it in the muck before showing my own hand. Obviously, emotions got to me on this hand.
#57
Non-TDA Tournament and General Poker Rules Discussion / Re: Rule 18
Last post by BROOKS - June 29, 2025, 07:09:57 PM
I think some people are used to how it was back in the day, where anyone dealt into the hand was able to ask to see any hand that made it to showdown.

But now, you must still have possession of your cards if you want to ask to see a hand
#58
Buying the button is only for cash games. If a player is sat between the SB and button they can post both Small and Big and be the button next hand.

That is not an option in tournaments - if you are sat between SB and button you are not dealt in.
In tournaments you 'assume' the position (unless you're balancing)
If a late reg/broken player comes, and it is a dead SB, they sit and become the SB
Same thing if a late reg/broken player comes and its a dead button, they sit and they are the button.

In the scenerio that Guillaume posted - 'technically' the hand has started because the dealer started the pitch, but I would absolutely 100% have the incoming player be the BB.
We penalize players for the exact opposite - dodging blinds. If we didn't have him come in on the BB, not only are we pretty much forcing/encouraging him to dodge the blind, but now he will have to wait several hands before he can play.
#59
Guillaume - yes what you are correct with your 3 examples

Nick - while I am a huge fan of all of the Player's Responsibilities - especially making your intentions clear, silently betting doesn't necessarily mean they are trying to angle. A lot of people don't like to speak when they are betting or in the hand in general - as they don't want to give off any information. Speaking is only necessary when the chips you are putting out don't match what you want to bet: betting 2k using a 5k chip.


This is how I have it written simplified:

An undercall is a mandatory full call when facing any bet heads up, or the opening bet in a betting round.
(The big blind is the opening bet preflop)
   A bets 800, B calls 800, C says or puts out 500 (has not said call)
   C must call the full 800, because 800 was the opening bet
In other situations, TD may decide the undercaller may forfeit the undercall amount and fold, or complete the call
A  bets 200, B raises to 600, C calls 600, D says or puts out 200 (has not said call)
D would have the option to either fold and forfeit the 200, or complete the call of 600
If several undercalls happen in a row,  play backs up to the first undercaller, who must correct their bet. The TD will decide how to treat the hands of the other undercallers, based on the circumstances

Keep in mind - TD discretion always applies.
#60
For the record, many poker rooms use the rules described in that link for the blind positions, but don't actually move the button to the empty chair.

That was my practice as well in my pub league, until I saw the button moved to an empty seat in Las Vegas and asked the dealer about it. He said it's called the "dead button" rule - it helps him remember who the blinds are in that situation.

He's right and I've been doing it that way ever since.