Adapted from Bill Costin
Texas Hold 'Em is Seven Card Stud where each player gets two down cards; "Hole" cards with the remaining five up cards; "Community" cards being placed in the center of the table which all players use to complete their hand.
The best five card hand wins according to the attached listing of possible hands:
- Two "Hole" cards plus any three "Community" cards
- One "Hole " card plus any four "Community" cards
- Five "Community" cards (should more than one player use only the "Community" cards as their winning hand, the pot will be split between them regardless of "Hole" cards). Odd chips will be given to winning player closest to dealer's left
Each player pays $10 and will receive $1000 worth of chips.
No additional chips may be bought or borrowed (when you're out, you're out).
No cash is allowed on the table and may not be substituted for chips.
The tournament will continue until one player has won all the chips.
$1000 chips per player. Choose either A, B, or C.
| Color (Value) | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| White (1) | 20 | 15 | 10 |
| Red (5) | 16 | 12 | 8 |
| Green (25) | 16 | 13 | 10 |
| Black (100) | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Purple (500) | - | - | - |
| Yellow (1000) | - | - | - |
| Grey (5000) | - | - | - |
1st place: 50% of total buy-in
2nd place: 30% of total buy-in
3rd place: 20% of total buy-in
4th+ place: 0% of total buy-in
Example: 6 players, each buy-in at $10 = $60.
- 1st place: $30
- 2nd place: $18
- 3rd place: $12
Each player will be seated according to a random drawing and this will remain their seat until they are eliminated or advance to another table.
Up to 10 players will be seated at each table.
A single player may be moved to another table to keep the tables somewhat balanced. This will be done between level increases. The table with the most players will draw high cards with the high card moving to another table and placed in any available seat ahead of the big blind.
The ten finalists will be combined at one table and be seated by another random drawing.
The ten finalists will begin play with the next level of limits and blinds above the last level in play prior to combining the tables.
Texas Hold 'Em uses a structured betting system with limits and blinds.
The tournament will begin with limits of $10/ $15 and increase each half hour:
| Half Hour | Limits | Blinds |
|---|---|---|
| One | $10 / $15 | $5 / $10 |
| Two | $20 / $30 | $10 / $20 |
| Three | $30 / $60 | $15 / $30 |
| Four | $40 / $80 | $20 / $40 |
| Five | $50 / $150 | $25 / $50 |
| Six | $100 / $200 | $50 / $100 |
| Seven | $200 / $400 | $100 / $200 |
After the signal designating the end of a betting level, the new limits apply on the next deal.
There will be a short break between levels as needed.
Each hand will have four rounds of betting. The first two rounds of bets and raises must equal the (lower) limit with the last two rounds equaling the (high) limit.
Each hand starts with two "Blind" bets being posted, ensuring every hand is worth something.
The player to the dealer's left posts the small blind which is half of the lower limit.
The player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind which is the full lower limit.
The blinds shall remain in front of the players until the conclusion of the "pre-flop" betting. The dealer will rake the blinds and all other bets into the pot.
All bets shall be stacked and pushed directly in front of player. The dealer will verify all bets and rake them to the center pot at the conclusion of each round of betting. Tossing chips into the pot is not allowed.
Each player may bet up to four times (max.) per betting round. This includes one bet and three raises. Once a player has reached the four-bet max they may either call or fold only.
Players are required to verbally declare their bet (Call, Check, Raise w/ amount, or Fold).
The dealer will make all change for larger chips out of the pot. Players betting large chips shall declare their bet when placing out the chips and the dealer will make the change as needed.
Players may not disclose or turn over their "holecards" during a live hand even if folded. This injures the rights of players who are still competing. If a player deliberately shows a card the entire hand will be declared dead and the player penalized (half the current pot).
"String bets" -- casinos have a rule that prevents people from faking that they are going to bet and then just check. If you move your chips out, that is considered a bet.
If a player cannot cover a blind, he must use all remaining chips and post a short blind and declare "All-in". Both blinds and each called bet (not including raises) from the "pre-flop" round will go into a (main) pot. All raises from the "pre-flop" round and all bets from additional rounds will be placed into a (side) pot. The "All-In" player will not be able to bet for the remainder of the hand and should he win the hand he will win only the amount from the (main) pot with the (side) pot going to the next best winning hand. If he does not win the hand he is eliminated from the tournament and the winning hand receives both pots.
When a player does not have enough chips to cover a call he must fold or declare "All-In" and bet all remaining chips. Players who follow the "All-In" player will call the entire bet with a portion equaling the "All-In" player going into the (main) pot and the remaining chips going into a (side) pot. All additional betting for the remainder of the hand will go into the (side) pot. The "All-In" player is only entitled to the (main) pot should he win the hand with the (side) pot going to the next best hand.
If more than one player goes "All-In" during a hand additional (side) pots will be created using the same rules as above. A player may only win a pot equaling his "All-In" bet and the called bets from following players. For example if the person went all-in for $25, the most the main pot would be would be ($25 x number of players in). So if the blinds were $50/100 and he went all-in and 5 people called including him, the main pot would be $25 x 5. The rest would be in the side pot. An all-in player can win from each player as much as he himself wagered.
The deal begins with the player in seat #1 and will advance to the left with each hand played.
A "Button" which will advance to the left with the deal marks the dealer.
Each deal shall be shuffled and cut by the player to the dealers right.
Each player is dealt two cards face down (hole cards).
The betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind and advances to the left. Each player must "call, raise, or fold", the only player that may "check" is the big blind because he has already posted a full bet (unless a previous player raised).
- "Call" matching the big blind (lower limit)
- "Raise" calling the previous players bet plus the raise (lower limit)
- "Fold" permanently out of current hand (cards shall be returned to dealer (face down) and placed in discard stack)
The player who posted the small blind can "call" by betting the remaining half equaling the big blind plus any raises from previous players.
The player who posted the big blind may "check" "call" or "raise" (lower limit).
After the first round of betting is completed the dealer will burn the top card and place the next three "Community" cards face up in the center of the table.
The second round of bets starts with the first active player to the dealer's left.
Players now have the following betting options or they can fold:
- "Check" declining to bet at this time but retaining the option to call or raise bets made by other players
- "Bet" a player can bet the (lower limit)
- "Raise" calling the previous bet plus a raise (lower limit)
The dealer will now burn the top card and turn over one more "Community" card.
The betting will again start with the first active player to the dealer's left.
Players have the same options as the previous round with bets & raises now at the (high limit).
The dealer now burns and turns the final "Community" card.
The betting will be the same as the previous round (high limit).
If a player makes a bet that all remaining players fail to call the hand is over with that player taking the pot and without having to show his cards.
After the all bets are called each player still in the hand will have bet the same amount and the dealer will declare that the pot is right.
All players must turn over their cards (visible to all players) and call their own hand.
The best five card hand wins the pot unless someone has gone "All-In" as described above.
After the bets are all correct, people have to show their hands in order. It starts with the person who bet and then in clockwise rotation. That's important because if you didn't win you don't have to show your hand.
Each player is expected to play their hand and make any bets or fold within 30 seconds.
The following circumstances will result in a misdeal:
- Dealer exposes any of the "hole" cards to any player.
- Dealer starts with the wrong position or deals out of sequence (empty chair).
- Dealer gives any player less or more than the two "hole" cards.
All misdeals shall be reshuffled and cut.
Once two players (after the blinds) have acted upon their hands the entire hand shall be played to conclusion regardless of misdeal.
If too many cards are exposed during the flop or a card was not burned, the cards shall be reshuffled and a new card burned with three new "flop" cards being dealt.
If too many cards are turned or a card not burned during the "turn" or "river" the existing "community" cards shall remain with the remaining cards reshuffled and a new card burned and a new single card turned.
If a card is found face up in the deck it shall be placed on the bottom of the deck and the next card shall be played.
If a card is found missing from the deck prior to any betting it shall be replaced, shuffled and cut. If two players have taken action the hand shall be played to conclusion.
A card dropped or exposed by a player shall continue to be played.
Host reserves the right to make decisions in the spirit of fairness should interpretation of the above rules indicate a different ruling, provided that the conflict does not apply to the host in which case a pre-selected player will make ruling.
Host should be made aware of problem when it occurs and all play must stop with all cards and chips remaining as-is until a resolution is reached.
Each player must play and call his own hand. No assistance may be given by other players or spectators.
Should a player need to briefly leave the game, all play will stop. Another player may not play for the absent player nor post any blinds
All cards must remain in full view and are not allowed beyond the edge of the table
All players are entitled to a clear view of opponent's chips with higher denominations made easily visible. Hiding chips is not allowed
Looking through discards or remaining deck cards is not allowed at any time
The dealer of each hand will be responsible for verifying all bets, raking bets into pot and awarding the pot to the winning player(s)
"Should a player need to briefly leave the game, all play will stop. Another player may not play for the absent player nor post any blinds" If you leave in a tourney you don't get dealt in and it is a mandatory blind. People can take bathroom breaks in between levels. It isn't fair to hold up the game. Just think if three people in one level left for 5 minutes each.
The following is a list of Texas Hold 'Em poker hand rankings from strongest to weakest:
| Hand | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Straight Flush | This is the daddy of all hands and even if you play often, you will rarely see one It's similar to a hole in one in golf. It is made up of all cards of the same suite, ten through Ace. It is a straight and a flush and the royal part comes from it being made up of the highest cards too. | As Ks Qs Js Ts |
| Straight Flush | While not as magical as the royal straight flush, the straight flush still is a rarity. It is made up of 5 cards of the same suite ranked in succession. For example 6-10, or A-5 (Ace can play both high and low in straights). | Jc, Tc, 9c,8c, 7c |
| Four Of A Kind | This is self-explanatory. A four of a kind occurs when you have all the cards of one type. | Ks, Kd, Kc, Kh |
| Full House | A full house happens when you have both three of a kind and also a pair. To determine if one full house higher ranked then another, first look at the three cards of the same kind. The one that is larger wins. If they both are the same then you'll have to compare the two cards. For example: Jacks full of fours (JJJ, 44) beats 9s full of Aces (999, AA). Jacks full of tens (JJJ, TT) beats Jacks full of nines (JJJ, 99). Full houses in Texas Hold ‘Em are nice hands and you will most likely see someone show one down every time you play. | Jc, Jd, Jh, 9c, 9h |
| Flush | A flush occurs when you have five of the same suite. If the cards were also in succession (like a straight), then it would be a straight flush. To determine which flush wins if there are more then one in a hand, then the person with the highest card in their hand wins. In the example to the right, the person has a ten high flush. This would beat someone with a nine high flush and below. Flushes are pretty common in Hold ‘Em. | Th, 8h, 4h, 3h, 2h |
| Straight | A straight occurs when a player has five cards in ranked succession. Note that an Ace can play both as a high card or a low card Note the two examples to the right. Straights are also very common in Hold ‘Em. | Ah, Kc, Qd, Jd, Th; Ah, 2c, 3h, 4h, 5c |
| Three Of A Kind | Three of a kind is a nice hand. There are two different names for three of a kind hands and it depends on whether you have two of them on the board, or a pair in your hand. They both rank the same but to be a savvy player you should know the difference. If you have a pocket pair and hit one on the flop then it is called a "set". If you have two cards on the flop and only one in your hand then it is called three of a kind. | 8h, 8d, 8c, 9d, Ad |
| Two Pair | Two pair is when your best five cards create a pair twice. That seems easy enough right? When comparing two hands both with two pair then the larger one always wins. For example: AA 22 would beat KK JJ. 88 33 would beat 77 66. | Kh, Kd, Qh, Qd, 3c |
| One Pair | One pair is the hand you'll be getting the most and trying to win with the most.Top pair is usually the hand you'll be betting and trying to win some pots with. When more than one person has the same pair, then the "kickers" come in to play. Remember Texas Hold ‘Em uses the best five cards so the following is true: Ah, Ac, Jc, 6d, 4d would lose to Ad, As, Jd, 6c, 5d. Notice how the 5 beats the 4 (best five cards makes a hand). | Kh, Kd, 8j, 6d, 5c |
| High Card | The high card hand is the lowest non pair hand. Sometimes Ace high can win, but in the low limit games it is very rare. In the example to the right, the high card is K. So you would have "king high". You would beat someone if they had "queen high" or below but even a pair of deuces would beat you! | Kh, Tc, 4c, 3d, 2h |
Key when reading about poker hands:
- As = Ace of spades
- Ks = King of spades
- Qc = Queen of clubs
- Jc = Jack of clubs
- Th = Ten of hearts
- 9h = Nine of hearts
- 8d = Eight of diamonds
- 7d = Seven of diamonds
- ...