A notice on rules�� No Fee Texas Hold 'Em events are designed to ensure that we all have fun. A few simple rules will help make sure we are all on the same page. Event play is ALWAYS FREE and people of all levels of play are encouraged to come together and have some fun.

Don't sweat the buy in fees that Casino's charge. No Fee Texas Hold 'Em is an easy way to begin playing in a structured tournament. You'll find loads of help from the league members while learning about other people's playing style. The learning process can be expensive at Casinos, so take advantage of the FREE Play while you get the hang of the game!

When playing in a No Fee Texas Hold 'Em tournament, please keep in mind that all levels of players are participating. Participating in tournaments is a great opportunity to learn from those with more experience and to help those that are just learning feel comfortable. Some rules will be suspended at the discretion of the tournament host when new players are present. IE: A non-player may be allowed to coach a new player. This requires that the non-player be seated at the table in order to facilitate this process. New players are often overwhelmed by the rules of the game and minor rule infractions may result in multiple warnings before penalties are imposed. Ultimately - It is the Tournament Host that will make the decision as to whether or not to bend the rules. Experienced players that belittle or insult a new player or any player may be removed from tournament play.

We are here to have fun and socialize. Disruptive behavior WILL NOT be tolerated.

Rulings: Decisions made by the Host are FINAL!

Assignment of Rights: Anyone playing in a NO Fee Texas Hold 'Em tournament grants No Fee Texas Hold 'Em the right to use their image, video images and any recorded audio of themselves for promotional purposes.

Players: Players must register with the league before playing. Each player will be assigned a unique ID / Player Number. New Players will be afforded an opportunity to adjust to the rules of No Fee Texas Hold 'Em League Play without necessarily being penalized to the extent that an experienced league member would.

Minimum Age: Players MUST be at least 18 years of age to play. Players that are under the age of 21 will not be permitted in many of our venues or be allowed into venues where some of our major tournaments are conducted. (23 February 2007).

Signing In, Signing Out: Players must sign in to each tournament and sign-out. Signing out means, check the sign-in sheet and ensure that all the points to which you are entitled are recorded. Failure to sign out may result in a loss of placement points. If a dispute about points arises the league relies solely on the paper copy of the tournament sign-in / sign-out sheet.

Signing In at a Monthly
Individuals that have achieved top 40 status during the previous month's point race MUST sign-in not later than 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the tournament or their guaranteed seating status is forfeit and they will be seated on a space available basis.

Behavior: Players engaging in inappropriate behavior will be subject to elimination from that event and possible elimination from any future No Fee Texas Hold 'Em events

Profanity: Players utilizing profanity are subject to a 3 chip penalty. Also see "Behavior".

Seating: Table and seating assignments will be done by draw. The Tournament Director will determine the total number of tables required by checking the sign-in sheet. A count of cards divided by suit, equaling the total number of players that have signed up for the tournament. The host will first issue the aces and have those players claim a table and take their seats. The host will then issue the remaining players a seating card for his/her table and seating assignment. Spades - Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc�, Hearts � Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.. The Ace of each suit will be in position one (1). The Ace has his/her choice of seat at the designated table. All other players will be seated 2 to the left of Ace, 3 to the left of 2 etc. When there are more than 4 tables, the dealer will utilize a second and possibly a third deck of cards that will have a different color back or other distinct characteristic. Due to certain circumstances, No Fee Texas Hold 'Em reserves the right to alter the seating order

Chips & Cards: Chips and Cards must remain on or above the table at all times. Players must keep their highest denomination chips visible at all times (don't hide them behind smaller denomination chips). Chips removed from the table are dead and may not return to play unless they are being moved at the request of the Tournament Director in conjunction with a table move. Players may not have tournament chips in their pockets at any time. A player who has chips in his or her pocket will forfeit the chips. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play from the tournament.

Chip Trays: Chip Trays are not be permitted during play, except to transport chips from table to table. (Revised Nov 17, 2006)

Splashing the pot: A player that consistently splashes the pot may incur a three-chip penalty on the current hand. In addition, chips that are touching or otherwise indistiguishable from the original pot are forfeit, the player may retract those chip not forfeit and re-bet but only the amount of the bet prior to the splashing of the pot. If a player shorts the pot by intentionally tossing in less than the required number of chips it is considered cheating - please see the rule on cheating. (Revised Mar 28, 2007) Please remember that our tables are smaller than a regulation Texas Hold 'Em table due to space constraints within a bar. Tthere isn't a lot of area dedicated to the pot area so good housekeeping is essential to avoid clutter and confusion.

Raking the pot: The chips a player bets must remain in front of the player, on or across the bet line until the dealer says the pot is right and rakes the bets into the pot. Once the dealer declares the "Pot is right" the players may help in raking the chips to the center.

Cheating: Players caught cheating will be disqualified from current and future events promoted by No Fee Texas Hold 'Em

Community Cards: No player shall allow their cards to touch the community cards. IE: Do not throw your winning hand on top of the community cards in your excitement. A first infraction will result in a warning, subsequent infractions by the same player may result in a three chip penalty regardless of whether or not it was the winning hand. If it is not possible to determine which cards are the communitty cards and which cards belong to the player, his/her hand is mucked. A players hand will not be mucked if the winner can clearly be determined. Cards may cross the action line face up so long as they do not come in contact with the community cards. Cards that cross the action line face down are mucked. Clarification: June 30, 2007

3 Chip Penalty: A payment to the next or current pot of three chips of the lowest denomination at the table. Any player at the table can ask for a 3 chip penalty but it is up to the host to impose the penalty. Remember, we are a learning league and as such we want people to have fun while they learn the game. Yes, adhering to a set of standards is important but having fun is our focus. Most of the time a warning is sufficient to correct the errant behavior.

Bet Line: Cards that are over the bet line, face down, are mucked (touching the bet line is not enough). A first infraction will result in a warning. Only chips that are on or past the bet line are bet. (Revised March 28, 2007)

Disputes: Any disputes will be settled by Tournament Hosts. Those decisions are final

The Dealer: During tournament play, the dealer is in charge of the table during his/her turn dealing.

Who Deals: After shuffling, the cards will be spread over the table face down. Players will draw one card each. The highest card drawn will be the dealer. In the event of a tie, the players that tied will draw again with the highest card being the dealer. Anyone drawing the Ace of Spades is automatically the dealer, regardless of whether another Ace is drawn. The dealer button passes to the left after each hand played.

Dealing: Deal to the chips not the people. The dealer will always deal to the small blind first with the exception of heads up play at which time the dealer will deal to the big blind first. Cards must come off the deck in a forward motion. Dealers that pull cards from the back of the deck are subject to a 3 chip penalty (this usually only occurs when the dealer is dealing with the deck on the table and during the burn and turn process - be careful). Pre-flop, this is considered a misdeal. The dealer should not "stage" cards. Leave all cards in the deck until they are to be put into play. IE: don't lay out the flop cards face down while you wait for the pre-flop betting to conclude. This helps to prevent cards that might have been inadvertently or intentionally marked from being visible.

Dealing - The Flop: If the dealer inadvertently deals the flop prior to all action being complete (unless it is the dealer whom hasn't completed action in which case the dealers hand is mucked), the flop will be re-shuffled into the deck and re-dealt. Or... if the the dealer flops the cards twice (weird as it sounds, it happens), the additional cards will be re-shuffled into the deck and play will continue.

Bounties: During the draw for dealer, the player drawing the lowest card will be designated as the Bounty. Anyone taking out the bounty will be awarded 75 points. Initially there will be one bounty assigned per table, due to table consolidation there may occassionally be more than one bounty present at a table. If a player designated as a bounty wins the tournament he/she will be awarded 75 points (they collect their own bounty)

Misdeal: During the deal if any player gets the wrong amount of cards, or the deal is done in the wrong order, or a card leaves the table, or the dealer fails to allow the cards to be cut, or the dealer fails to use the cut card it is considered a misdeal. If betting has occurred, the player�s chips will be returned in the amounts they have bet. If a card is flipped up during the deal the deal will continue and the last card dealt will be to the player with the exposed card. The exposed card will be left exposed and become the first burn card.

Blinds: Tournament play will start with the blinds at 25/50.: Blinds will be raised every 12-15 minutes regardless of the chip count of those still playing No Fee Texas Hold 'Em reserves the right to alter the blind time in order to complete a tournament in a timely manner. At the final table no blinds will be skipped. The button may fall on an empty and the last player to physically deal will deal again. (limit players should note that blinds work differently during limit cash games at a casino than they do during No Limit tournament play). For simplicities sake, blinds prior to the final table will be: small blind to the left of the button and big blind to the left of the small blind. Some players may get to skip a blind. You can call this the "Lucky You" policy.

New Rounds: When time has elapsed in a round and a new round is announced, the new blinds apply to the next hand. A hand has begun with the first riffle, NOT the posting of blinds,. Riffle = Shuffling

Missing Players: Pre-flop, players that are absent will have their hand mucked when the action is on them. After the flop, a missing player�s hand is checked if no betting has occurred prior to their return, it is mucked if they are not present to call a bet. Please note that your host will sometimes be in the situation of being away from the table when the action comes to them. A host will be granted some leeway and will have 15 seconds to return to the table before their hand is mucked. If a missing player has the deal, the player to the right of the button will deal. Cutting the cards will pass to the next person to the right of a missing player. Players missing for more than 15 minutes will have their chips removed or divided amongst the remaining players at the table at the discretion of the host. (Revised Dec 9, 2006)

Late Players: A late player may enter the contest at any time until the blinds reach 100 and 200 (after the first break). A late entry penalty of 300 in chips is required when the player enters the tournament with the blinds at 25/50 and a late entry penalty of 500 in chips is required when the player enters the tournament with the blinds at 50/100. Players that arrive during the break between the 50/100 and 100/200 blind levels will only recieve two blue chips for their white chips. Late players will be seated by the tournament director in the most convenient seat available to ensure the least amount of disruption to the game and will assume all the rights and responsibilities of that position (this may mean that they also have to post the big blind as well as the late entry penalty). Players entering late will NOT be seated between the big and small blind.

Late Players - Mega Stack Tournaments: Late arriving players will post a 500 ante to the pot for the first two hands when arriving during the 1st blind level. Players arriving during the 2nd blind level or during the first break will ante 500 in chips for the first 4 hands. Late arrival chip penalties will not apply to new players.

Coloring Up: Coloring up will take place when the blinds reach 100/200 and 500/1000. Subsequent coloring up will be done at the discretion of the Tournament Host Players cannot be eliminated from play through the coloring up process.

Bets: The minimum bet is equal to the big blind, unless the bet puts the player �all-in�. A player�s verbal declarations in turn are binding. Action out of turn may be binding. A player that bets less than active bet cannot retract their chips once they have crossed the action line. Pay attention! A player must bet at least the big blind regardless of whether the action by an all-in player was less than the big blind. (Revised Nov 1, 2006)

Out of Turn Betting: Players that bet out of turn will, upon a first infraction, be given a warning; subsequent out of turn betting will result in a three turn penalty. IE: a player's hand will be automatically mucked for the next three turns regardless of whether or not they are in the big or small blind. If you are unsure as to whether or not the action is on you.... ASK!

Verbal Declarations : If a player throws in an oversized chip without stating raise, it is considered a call. It is the responsibility of the player to know whose action is next.

String Betting: When raising, a player must either put the amount of the raise out in one motion or state raise and then the amount of the raise. By stating the word raise, a player protects his or her right to raise, but the raise must be made in one additional motion unless he/she has stated the amount.

Calling a Hand: When a player has fewer chips than the current bet and they call, they are �All-In� If no other person calls the bet the individual making the bet may take back chips so that the chips remaining in play match the �all-in� call. When a player throws in oversized chips with out declaring raise then it is considered a call

All-In: All cards will be turned face up once a player is all in and no further betting can occur.

Side Pots: Each side pot will be split into a separate pot. This will be done by the Dealer or by one individual designated by the Dealer. Chips will not be mixed together before they are split. To avoid confusion the dealer will utilize the "matching stacks" method for determining side pots. (Revised Nov 11, 2006)

Winning Hand: The top 5 cards win the hand. If the top 5 cards are on the board, and more than one player stays in, then the pot will be split equally. It is the duty of the dealer to determine the winning hand and to declare the winner. Players should never touch the chips in a pot nor gather chips unless directed to do so by the dealer. Disputes over whether a hand is the winning hand or not should be immediately resolved by the Tournament Director.

Ties: Ties only occur if two players are eliminated during the same hand and both had identical chip counts. When multiple players are eliminated during the same hand and the higher placement will go to the individual with the greater number of chips at the beginning of the hand.

Cards Speak for Themselves: A verbal declaration of a winning or losing hand by a player is not binding

Re-Activating a Mucked Hand: If a player mucks his cards after being called, and a demand to see the cards is issued by the calling player, the cards are again active and the player may win the pot if he/she has the winning hand. (see the �Cards Speak for Themselves� rule) A player that did not call the hand may not demand to see the cards.

Touching Chips: A player that handles bet chips without the Dealer�s permission may incur a 3 chip penalty. A 3 chip penalty is 3 chips of the lowest denomination on the table. IE: If there are white, blue and red chips on the table, the player will add 3 white chips to the next pot. It is up to the dealer to maintain control of their table. Only the host may impose a 3 chip penalty so if players are touching chips without the dealers permission please call the host. Clarification - June 30, 2007

Split Pots: If more than one player holds the top 5 cards, then the pot will be split equally. Splitting the pot will be done by the Dealer or his designated representative only. Disputes as to whether or not a hand is a split pot will be resolved by the Tournament Director. Odd chips will be added to the next pot.

Odd Chips: Odd chips will be added to the next pot. If there is an odd chip in the pot during a color up it will be subject to the same rounding up and rounding down process as the players chips. Clarification - June 30, 2007

Player Elimination: A player is eliminated when they have gone �all-in� and lost the hand.

Table Moves: If 1 or 2 person(s) is moved to a new table, the first person to arrive at the table has the option of taking the seat directly to the right of the dealer; this may require that a player move seats. The last person to arrive may take any available seat remaining (they may not request a player to move) and they assume all rights and responsibilities of the position. If a player does, out of convenience, take the seat between the dealer and the small blind, they will sit out one hand and the deal will pass to the individual to their left. . At no time will a player be seated between the small and big blind. (Revised March 17, 2008)

Table Dissolution: When it becomes necessary to dissolve a table, players will be assigned to new tables by draw. IE: Two low cards to table 1, two high cards to table 2, or any other combination, as determined by the Tournament Host, that makes the table assignments random.

Final Table: At the final table, Indiviudals going out at the same time will have their placement determined by the individual with the most chips going into the hand receiving the higher placement. If two individuals have the exact same amount of chips they will both recieve the higher placement. At tournaments where there is a 9th seat drawing, the 8th and 9th person eliminated will share 8th place.

Heads-Up Play: The dealer button has the small blind and the other player has the big blind. The big blind is dealt the first card. After the players get their cards, the pre-flop betting starts with the small blind, which would be the dealer. After the flop is shown, the player on the dealer button is last to act (like normal). So pre-flop the dealer has to act first and gets the small blind, after the flop -- flop, turn and river betting -- the dealer is second to act.

Calling for the Clock: Once a reasonable amount of time has passed, a player may call for the clock. The player with the action then has 15 seconds to make a decision. If action has not been taken by the time the countdown is completed the player will be subject to a small blind penalty on the next hand, players not at the table will have their hands mucked and no penalty will be imposed. Please note that your host will sometimes be in the situation of being away from the table when the action comes to them. A host will be granted some leeway and will have 15 seconds to return to the table and then granted an additional 15 seconds to take action before a small blind penalty will be imposed.

Cell Phones and Headphones: A player who wants to use a cellular phone must step away from the table. Headphones will not be permitted once a player reaches the final table in regular league play or the money prize structure or the final table which ever comes first in the End of Season or Invitational Tournaments

Penalties: A penalty MAY be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending. Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing cards discarded while the hand is in play is not allowed and a 3 chip penalty may be imposed.

Penalties WILL be invoked in cases of abuse, disruptive behavior, or similar incidents. All penalties will be issued in No Fee Texas Hold 'Em's sole discretion. Penalties available for use by No Fee Texas Hold 'Em Tournament Directors are verbal warnings � 3 chip penalties, the mucking of the players hand or elimination from the tournament. These penalties may be utilized at the discretion of No Fee Texas Hold 'Em Tournament Directors up to and including disqualification. A player who is disqualified shall have his or her chips removed from play or divided amongst the remaining players; removal or division will be determined by the tournament host.

A host may immediately remove a player from a tournament, if a player is removed from a tournament the host may recommend suspensions, banning from future league play, or banning from league play at a particular venue. Only the league can implement a suspension or a ban and will do so only after a review of the player's conduct leading up to the recommendation

Exposing Cards: A player exposing his or her cards to another player in the hand will expose his/her cards to everyone and their hand is mucked, except for heads up play(see below). Inexperienced or new players may recieve a warning upon a first infraction. Do NOT show your cards to anyone! Verbally disclosing the contents of your hand or advising a player how to play a hand may result in a 3-chip penalty. At the discretion of the Tournament Director, new players may be issued a warning upon their first infraction. During heads up play a player that has not had a chance to act on their hand prior to the other player exposing their hand has the opportunity to complete their action. The exposed hand is NOT mucked.

Playing out a Finished Hand: This is referred to as rabbit hunting and is not allowed. A dealer that engages in rabbit hunting is subject to a 3 chip penalty. Although rabbit hunting seems like a harmless activity it is very unfair to a player, for example, that wins the pot by representing a nut flush hand only to have the Ace show up during the rabbit hunt. In addition it slows the game and is really rather pointless.