1. General Rights and Procedures

2. Seating Players, Money & Chips

3. Betting, Pots & Showdown

4. General In-Game Procedures

5. Player Present / Eligible for Hand

6. Button / Blinds

7. Dealing & Errors

8. In Game Play

9. Etiquette & Penalties

10. Other

1. General Rights and Procedures

The CRMS (Card Room Manger or Supervisor) is accountable for running games in accordance with the rules and pokers prime directives. In case of a disagreement among players, the dealer's responsibility is to call the CRMS to render a timely decision. The CRMSs decision should be settled before the shuffle begins for the next hand.

It is the responsibility of the CRMS, not dealers, to make all decisions involving a challenge of the rules, or decisions that involve a determination of facts and circumstances prior to applying a rule. The dealer is responsible for describing the facts to the CRMS. If facts remain in dispute, the CRMS may ask any players seated in the game to clarify the situation. The CRMS may opt to review any evidence stored on CCTV.

In the instance of reviewing CCTV evidence a new hand may be dealt depending on the circumstances.

The best interest of the game and fairness are top priorities in decision-making. Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate that decisions in the interest of fairness take priority over the technical rules. Decisions are too made in the best interest of the game.

The CRMS's decision is final. A player has no claim to an incorrect decision made in good faith and will remain in effect.

The CRMS are permitted to play in games.

Any guest participating in any game must be a member of Peterlee Central Club, or signed in as a guest by a member of the club. Membership application and fees available upon request.

In addition to accepting these rules and procedures, players in attendance of the card room acknowledge and agree to be bound by the rules of Peterlee Central Club and its committee.

Players should:

• Protect their hands & make their intentions clear.
• Follow the action& act in turn with proper terminology and gestures (See 1.4).
• Defend their right to act, keep cards visible and chips correctly stacked.
• Remain at the table with a live hand.
• Table all cards properly when competing at showdown.
• Speak up if they see a mistake.
• Call for a clock when warranted.
• Follow one player to a hand, know and comply with the rules & practice proper etiquette.
• Generally contribute to an orderly event.

By taking a seat in a game, as well as being admitted to the facility where the game is conducted, players and visitors consent to management's at-will right to admit or eject visitors and players. Each player or guest is responsible for his or her conduct, and each accountable for his or her actions.

Management always retains the right to prohibit any guest from entering or using its facilities, and may do so at will.

Standard cash game stakes at EDP (East Durham Poker) are £0.50/£1.00 and are not subject to change without first been approved by The CRMS.

EDP (East Durham Poker) reserves the right to suspend or withdraw any Game in its absolute discretion and/or to add further Games from time to time. EDP also reserves the right to amend the House Rules and/or the basis of play of any Game or relevant Game Rules at any time.

Any such amendment will be effective immediately. Participant at any time following such change shall constitute your acceptance of such amendments.

Official terms are simple, unmistakable, time-honoured declarations like: bet, raise, call, fold, check, all-in and pot (when betting the pot amount in pot limit games).

Also players must use gestures with caution when facing action: tapping the tables is a check.The use of non-standard language (See 1.8) is at a player's risk because it may result in a ruling other than what the player intended. It is the player's responsibility to make their intentions clear.

Electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, music players etc, are permitted at the table but must not create a nuisance towards other players or the game. Electronic devices may be asked to be removed if the CRMS feels that the device is interfering in any way with the smooth running of the game or slowing down play.

Any player may also make a request for the removal of any electronic device if they feel it is of interference.

Poker training betting apps and charts should not be used by players with live hands.

In cash games, guests may sit behind players as long as no other players object. No one may sit behind another player in a tournament.

You acknowledge that underage gambling is an offence, accordingly by been in attendance of the card room, you warrant to us that you are at least 18 (eighteen) years of age and above the legal age for gambling.

We reserve the right to request proof of age documentation from you at any time.We shall not be liable to any parent, relation or legal guardian of any such minor in respect of any losses incurred by a minor.

The English-only rule will be enforced in the card room during the play of hands.

2. Seating Players, Money & Chips

Cash is not permitted on the tables and will be played with poker chips supplied by the premises. Cash will be exchanged for chips by the CRMS.

Players are only permitted to "playing behind" if the supervisor is exchanging it for chips.

No rake will be taken for pots. A session fee to the maximum of £3 per player per day maybe on occasions charged. Players will be informed of this before they are seated.

5% (rounded) from every hand that goes to a flop will be collected towards the cash league prize fund.

Only chips on the table at the start of a hand are in play for that pot, with the exception of chips that are in transit from the cashier / CRMS, and where the table has been informed prior to the hand starting of the value of the chips in transit.

Players may add additional chips of any amount to their stack between deals, providing they have not been 'All-In' during the previous hand. If they were 'All-In' they must buy-in for at least 50% of the minimum of the table sit down.

Players with no chips, who request a hand without stating the amount they are buying in for, must buy-in for the minimum buy-in for that table.

Players are not permitted to remove any chips from play on a table. If any player wishes to finish playing they must declare their intentions to do so and cash out all chips.

Players are not permitted to loan other players money with chips from the table. House credit is also not permitted.

Players may choose any seat that is available to be seated in. A maximum of 9 players will be allowed at any one table.

Button position is determined by the spin of the button or low/ high card at the start of the game. Which will be decided before play.

Accommodations for players with special needs will be made when possible.

Players may leave games at any time; however, if the player returns to the same game, within the same gaming day, they must sit down with the amount they left with, regardless of the table limits.

3. Betting, Pots & Showdown

Verbal declarations as to the content of a player's hand are not binding; however, any player deliberately miscalling his or her hand may be penalized. Dealers should read and announce hand values at showdown. Any player, in the hand or not, should speak up if he or she thinks a mistake is made in reading hands or calculating and awarding the pot.

Proper tabling of cards is expected and is both 1) turning all cards face up on the table and 2) allowing the dealer and players to read the hand clearly. "All cards" means both hole cards in hold'em, all 4 hole cards in Omaha, all 7 cards in 7-stud.

If a player bets then discards thinking he or she has won (forgetting another player is still in the hand), the dealer should hold the cards and call the CRMS. If cards are mucked and not retrievable and identifiable to 100% certainty, the player is out and not entitled to a refund of called bets. If cards are mucked and the player initiated a bet or raise not yet called, the uncalled amount will be returned.

At showdown players must protect their hands while waiting for cards to be read. Players who don't fully table all cards, then muck thinking they've won, do so at their own risk. If a hand is not 100% retrievable and identifiable and the CRMS rules it was not clearly read, the player has no claim to the pot. The CRMSs decision on whether a hand was sufficiently tabled is final.

Discarding non-tabled cards face down does not automatically kill them. Cards are killed by the dealer when pushed into the muck, touch the muck when being tabled by the player, or otherwise rendered irretrievable and unidentifiable.

In cash game cards do not have to be face up in all-in situations. However players need to show all of his/her hole cards to claim any pot.

Players may muck their cards if they believe they have lost.

In a non-all-in showdown if cards are not spontaneously tabled or discarded the dealer may enforce an order of show. The last aggressive player on the final betting round must table first. If there was no bet on the final betting round the player who would act first if it were a betting round must table first. A non all-in showdown is uncontested if all but one player mucks face down without tabling. The last player with live cards wins and is not required to show his cards.

If after the last round of betting on the river, the action is heads up and the aggressor mucks his hand after being called, then the player who called does not need to show his hole cards to claim the pot, the aggressor cannot request to see the caller's cards, as he has relinquished all rights to the pot by mucking he has also relinquished all rights to see the caller's cards.

If a player tables one card that would make a winning hand, the dealer should advise the player to table all cards. If the player refuses, the CRMS should be called.

Players not still in possession of cards at showdown, or who have mucked their cards face down without tabling, lose any rights or privileges to ask to see any hand.

If there was a river bet, any caller has an inalienable right to see the last aggressor's hand on request ("the hand they paid to see") provided the caller tabled or retains his or her cards.

A player must show all hole cards when playing the board to get part of the pot.

Dealers cannot kill a winning hand that was tabled and was obviously the winning hand. Players are encouraged to assist in reading tabled hands if it appears that an error is about to be made.

Odd chip(s) will be broken into the smallest denomination in play. Any further odd chip(s)that cannot be broken will go to will go to the player left of the button.

Each side pot will be split separately.

The right to dispute a finished hand ends when a new hand begins. If a hand finishes going into a break the right to dispute ends 1 minute after the pot is awarded.

The next hand begins with the first shuffle of the cards.

Straddles are permitted in cash games. A straddle must be done in betting order, and must be twice the Big Blind and from a maximum of one player (UTG).

A straddle most be posted before the player receives their first card.

Players on the button are permitted to straddle when playing 3 handed.

4. General In-Game Procedures

Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of an opponent's chip count: thus chips should be kept in countable stacks. Players must keep their higher denomination chips visible and identifiable at all times. The CRMS will control the number & denomination of chips in play and may colour up at their discretion.

Discretionary colour ups are to be announced.

Players may ask for deck changes. But such changes must be reasonable and only finalized by the CRMS.

Any time a player shows his hand to another player at the table, all other players at the table have the right to see the hand, and it is the dealers obligation to show it.

Rabbit hunting (revealing cards that would have come if the hand had not ended) is strictly not allowed. Any player found rabbit hunting may receive a warning.

5. Player Present / Eligible for Hand

A player must be at his or her seat before the first card has been dealt, if not in seated as the first card is dealt the players hand is dead.

The first card been the very first card of the hand not the players first card.

When a player is not at their seat they will still be dealt in and considered to be in the action with any small or big blind posted.

Players with live hands (including players all-in or otherwise finished betting) must remain at the table until the showdown concludes. Leaving the table is incompatible with protecting your hand and following the action.

6. Button / Blinds

EDP Cash Games will use a dead button.A situation in a game with a rotating blind in which the player to the left of the dealer is eliminated or otherwise leaves the table and the dealer button is rotated to the empty seat rather than skipping to the next player still at the table.

A player who intentionally dodges any blinds will incur a penalty.

In heads-up play, the small blind is on the button and acts first pre-flop and last on all subsequent betting rounds. The last card is dealt to the button. When beginning heads-up play, the button may need to be adjusted to ensure no player takes the big blind twice in a row.

7. Dealing & Errors

Misdeals include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Two or more exposed or boxed cards.
• First card dealt to the wrong seat
• Cards dealt to a seat that is not entitled to a hand.
• A seat entitled to a hand is dealt out.
• A card goes off the table.

Once substantial action occurs a misdeal cannot be declared and the hand must proceed.

Substantial action is defined as either:

• Any two actions in turn, at least one of which must involve putting chips in the pot. (i.e. any 2 actions except 2 checks or 2 folds)
• Any combination of three actions in turn (check, bet ,raise, call or fold)

  Posted blinds do not count towards substantial action.

In a misdeal, the re-deal is an exact re-play: the button does not move, no new players are seated, and limits stay the same. Cards are dealt to players on penalty or not at their seats for the original deal, and then their hands are killed. The original deal and re-deal count as one hand for a player on penalty, not two.

In the event that one card is exposed the deal will continue and the exposed card becomes the first burn card and replaced with what would have been the burn card.

Players may be dealt 2 consecutive cards on the button.

A player on the button dealt too few cards should announce it immediately. Missing button cards may be replaced even after substantial action. However, if the button acts on a hand with too few cards (by check or bet), the hand is dead.

If the flop has 4 rather than 3 cards, exposed or not, the CRMS shall be called. The Dealer then scrambles the 4 cards face down, the CRMS randomly selects one as the next burn card and the other 3 cards are the flop.

Board and burn cards are sometimes dealt prematurely by mistake, before action on the preceding round is finished. The following are general procedures for dealing with these situations:

• For a premature flop: The flop burn card is left in place as the burn. The premature flop board cards are returned to the deck stub and reshuffled. The flop is then re-dealt (without another burn card) from the newly shuffled stub.
• A premature turn card: The card is put to the side. Another card is burnt, and the normal river card is used as the new turn card. After action on the turn, the premature turn card is placed back in the stub, the stub is reshuffled and a river card is dealt without an additional burn.
• A premature river card: The card is placed back into the remaining stub, and the premature river burn card is left in place as the river burn card. Once action on the turn is completed, the stub is reshuffled and the river is dealt without a new burn card.
• For a premature card in stud games: Additional cards are dealt and placed to the side along with the premature card(s) to represent an entire round of cards for the remaining live players. Once action on the round is complete, the next street is burned and dealt as normal. Once the final street is reached, the premature and additional cards set to the side are placed back into the stub. The stub is re-shuffled then the final street is dealt.

When cards remain to be dealt on a hand and the deck is accidentally dropped and appears it may be disordered:

• It is first preferable to try to reconstruct the original order of the stub if possible.
• If not possible, try to create a new deck using only the remaining deck cards (not the muck & prior burn cards). These should be scrambled, shuffled, cut, & play then proceeds with the new deck.
• If when the deck is dropped it becomes mixed in with the muck &burn cards, then scramble the stub, muck &burn cards together, shuffle, and cut. Play then proceeds with the new deck.

8. In Game Play

Bets are by verbal declaration and/or pushing out chips. If a player does both, whichever is first defines the bet. If simultaneous, a clear and reasonable verbal declaration takes precedence, otherwise the chips play. Verbal declarations may be general ("call", "raise"), a specific amount only ("one pound") or both ("raise, one pound"). For all betting rules, declaring a specific amount only is the same as silently pushing out an equal amount. Ex: Declaring "Two pound" is the same as silently pushing out two pound in chips.

In unclear situations or where verbal and chips are contradictory, the CRMS will determine the bet based on the circumstances.

Players must act in turn. Action in turn (by declaration or pushing out chips) is binding and commits chips to the pot that must stay in the pot. Players must wait for clear bet amounts before acting.

Example: A No Limit Hold'em Player A says "raise" (but no amount), and Player B quickly folds. Player B should wait to act until Player A's raise amount is clear.

General verbal declarations in turn (such as "Call" or "Raise") commit a player to the full current action. A player undercalls by declaring or pushing out less than the call amount without first declaring "call". An undercall is a mandatory full call if made in turn facing any bet heads-up or the opening bet on any round multi-way. The posted Big Blind is the opening first round bet in blind games. In most cases the player will have the option to make up the rest of the call or fold and forfeit the undercall. Bet or raise is not permitted in these circumstances.

This rule addresses when a player must make a full call and whenhe may forfeit the undercall and fold. In other situations, the CRMSs discretion applies.

If two or more undercalls occur in sequence, play backs up to the first undercaller who must correct his or her action. The CRMS will determine how to treat hands of theremaining bettors based on the circumstances.

• In limit and no-limit: Opening or raising less than the minimum legal amount is corrected anywhere on the current street. For example in NLHE £1-£2, Post-Flop A opens for £6 and B raises to £10 (a £2 under-raise). C and D call, E folds then the error is noticed. Increase the bet to £12 total for all bettors any time before the turn is dealt. After the turn the error stands. For undercalls, see Rule 42.
• In pot limit: If a player over bets the pot based on an inaccurate count, because pot count is too high (an illegal bet), it will be corrected for all players anywhere on the current street. If too low, corrected until substantial action occurs after the bet.

Any action out of turn (check, call, raise or all in) is subject to a warning and is binding if action to the OOT player does not change. A check, call or fold by the rightful player does not change action. If action changes, the OOT action is not binding; any OOT bet or raise is returned to the OOT player who has all none aggressive options for the remainder of the current street including: calling or folding but not betting or raising.

Any player that has already received a warning for OOT action and reoffends with lose all aggressive options for the rest of the hand.

An OOT fold is binding. In Heads up play the TD can overrule this rule.

A player skipped by OOT action must defend his right to act. If there is reasonable time and the skipped player does not speak up before substantial action OOT occurs to his left, the OOT action is binding. The TD will rule on how to treat the skipped hand given the circumstances, including, but not limited to, ruling the hand dead or limiting the player to non-aggressive action.

Standard and acceptable forms of calling include:

• Saying "call".
• Pushing out chips equal to a call.
• Silently pushing out an overchip.
• Silently pushing out multiple chips equal to a call under the multi-chip rule.

Although non-standard and strongly discouraged silently pushing chip(s) relatively tiny to the bet (e.g. Player A bets £5, Player B then silently puts out one £1 chip) will be interpreted as being ruled a full call.

In no-limit or pot-limit, a raise must be made by

• Placing the full amount in the pot in one motion.
• Verbally declaring the full amount prior to the initial placement of chips into the pot.
• Verbally declaring "raise" prior to the placement of the amount to call into the pot and then completing the action within one additional motion.

If other than the exact call amount but less than a minimum raise is first put out, it will be ruled a minimum raise.

It is the player's responsibility to make their intentions clear.

A raise must be at least the size of the largest previous bet or raise of the current betting round. If a player puts in a raise of 50% or more of the previous bet but less than the minimum raise, he or she must make a minimum raise. If less than 50% it is a call unless "raise" is first declared or the player is all-in.

Without other clarifying information, declaring raise and an amount is the total bet. If a player declares "Raise, £10" The total bet is £10.

In no-limit and pot limit, an all-in wager of less than a full raise does not reopen the betting to a player who has already acted and is not facing at least a full raise when the action returns to them.

In limit, at least 50% of a full raise is required to re-open betting for players who have already acted.

Anytime when facing a bet (or blind), placing a single oversized chip in the pot is a call if a raise is not first verbally declared. To raise with a single oversized chip, a declaration must be made before the chip hits the table surface. If a raise is declared (but not an amount), the raise is the maximum allowable for that chip.

When facing a bet, unless a raise is first declared, multiple same-denomination chips is a call if removing one chip leaves less than the call amount.

Example: Pre flop, blinds £2-£4: A raises to £12total (an £8 raise), B puts out two £10 chips without declaring raise. This is just a call because removing one £10chip leaves less than the amount needed to call the £12 bet. Placing chips of mixed denominations in the pot is governed by the 50% standard (See 8.8).

There is no cap on the number of raises in limit, no-limit and pot-limit play.

Poker is a game of alert, continuous observation. It is the caller's responsibility to determine the correct amount of an opponent's bet before calling, regardless of what is stated by the dealer or players. If a caller requests a count but receives incorrect information from the dealer or players, then places that amount in the pot, the caller is assumed to accept the full correct action and is subject to the correct wager or all-in amount. As with all tournament situations, should this happen, the CRMS must be called straightaway and any ruling may apply at the CRMS's discretion.

Players are entitled to a pot countin pot-limit only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit.

A player declaring, "I bet the pot", in a No Limit game means that on this first occasion and only on this occasion, the pot will be counted and the player will bet the size of the pot, the CRMS must be called and the player will be warned that, "I bet the pot" is not a normal term in a No Limit game.

A player may request a pot to be spread by the dealer so he/she can make an informative count.

If a player faces no bet and declares "call", it is a check. If a player declares "raise", the player must make at least a minimum bet. A player declaring "check" when facing a bet may call or fold, but cannot raise.

A string bet or raise iswhen a player doesn't get all the chips required for the raise into the pot in one motion. Unless he verbally declared the raise, he can be forced to withdraw it and just call.

Dealers will be responsible for calling out string bets and raises.

Players use unofficial betting terms and gestures at their own risk. These may be interpreted to mean other than what the player intended. Also, whenever the size of a declared bet can have multiple meanings, it will be ruled as the lesser value, unless it is clear the higher amount is what was intended.

Example: "I bet fifty", if it is unclear whether "fifty" means 50p or £50, the bet stands at 50p.

Any time before the end of the last betting round of a hand, folding in turn when facing a check or folding out of turn are both binding folds and may be subject to a penalty.

Conditional statements regarding future action are non-standard and strongly discouraged; they may be binding and/or subject to penalty at the CRMS's discretion.

Example: "if, then" statements such as "If you bet, then I will raise".

Players are entitled to a reasonable estimation of opponents chip stacks. A player may only request a more precise count if the action is on him and he faces an all-in bet. The all-in player is not required to count; on request the dealer or CRMS will count it.

The visible and countable chip stack rule greatly helps accuracy in counting. (See 4.3).

If a player bets all-in and a hidden chip is found behind after a player calls, the CRMS will determine if the chip behind is part of accepted action. If not part of the action, the all in player is not paid off for the chip(s) if he or she wins. If all in player loses, he or she may not saved by the chip(s) and the CRMS may award the chip(s) to the winning caller.

Explicitly agreeing to check a hand to conclusion when a third player is all-in is a form of collusion and breach of etiquette. This may result in penalties.

Players must protect their own hands at all times. If a dealer kills a hand by mistake, or a hand is fouled, and the hand is not 100% retrievable and identifiable the player will have no redress and is not entitled to a refund of bets.

If the player initiated a bet or raise and hasn't been called, the uncalled bet or raise will be returned to the player.

Lost and found chips will be taken out of play and returned to the cash desk.

In stud poker, if a player picks up the up cards while facing action, the hand is dead. Proper mucking in stud is turning down all up cards and pushing them all forward face down.

9. Etiquette & Penalties

Players must protect other players in the tournament at all times. Therefore players, whether in the hand or not, must not:

• Disclose contents of live or folded hands.
• Advise or criticize play at any time.
• Read a hand that hasn't been tabled.

One-player-to-a-hand is in effect. Among other things, this rule prohibits showing a hand to or discussing strategy with another player, advisor, or spectator.

Infractions can lead to penalties from the CRMS (See 9.5).

A player who exposes his cards with action pending may incur a penalty, but will not have a dead hand. The penalty will begin at the end of the hand. When folding, cards should be pushed forward low to the table, not deliberately exposed or tossed high.

Intentionally exposing a card to induce or inhibit action is a serious breach of poker ethics and in certain instances can be considered a form of collusion. It is never permitted.

In such cases the CRMS should be called and decide on what action should be taken.

Poker is an individual game. Soft play may result in penalties, which may include chip forfeiture and/or disqualification. Chip dumping and other forms of collusion may result in disqualification.

Repeat etiquette violations may result in penalties. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Persistent delay of the game.
• Unnecessarily touching other players cards or chips.
• Repeatedly acting out of turn.
• Betting out of reach of the dealer.
• Abusive conduct.
• Excessive chatter.

Penalty options include but are not limited to:

• Verbal Warning.
• Formal Last Warning.
• One or more "missed hands".
• One or more "missed rounds".
• Disqualification.

Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties. Penalties will be invoked by the CRMSs discretion.

A player on penalty must be away from the table. Cards are dealt to his seat, his blinds and antes are posted, and the hand is killed after each initial deal. Players away from the table or on penalty may be anted or blinded out of a tournament.

Chips of a disqualified player shall be removed from play.

10. Other

Before participating in any game all players will be asked to fill in and accept or decline East Durham Pokers GDPR consent forms.

By participating in any game players will be asked to consent to participate in such reasonable publicity as East Durham Poker shall in its discretion decide, including, press releases, events reports, results listings and press coverage and players further consent to having details of their name and the amount, if any, won by them included in such publicity.

This publicity will include postings on eastdurhampoker.com, eastdurhampoker.co.uk, Facebook, Twitter and forums. In the event that the tournament is photographed or filmed, players agree to take part in this coverage and acknowledge and agree that they will not receive any payment for this or have any rights over such coverage. Any player wishing to remain anonymous on externally published results must inform the TD prior to the event commencing.

5% (£5 CAP) from every hand that reaches a flop in eligible games will be collected towards the cash league prize fund.

Players will receive 1 point for every 30 minutes (rounded up or down to nearest 15) played.

30 points are required to qualify for the season end cash league game.

The Royal Flush Jackpot fund has been finished and capped at £3200.

To win the Royal Flush Jackpot a player must win and table their hand with a Royal Flush. Players must use both hole card within their hand. Playing the board does not count.

Upon the Royal Flush happening the CRMS should be notified immediately and the hand verified with the dealer and/or CCTV footage before any prize money is awarded.

Players should be aware that prize money may not be paid out on the day the Royal Flush happens but shall be within 14 days and notified of the process. However, all efforts will be made to pay out as soon as possible.