This week, a reminder of Rule 67, as it came into play a couple of times.
Rule 67: No Disclosure. One Player to a Hand
Players must protect other players in the tournament at all times. Therefore players, whether in the hand or not, must not:
Discuss contents of live or mucked 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.
This rule, which falls under the Etiquette and Penalties section, may seem simple at first glance but it can actually cover quite a few different scenarios:
Don’t reveal your hand: Avoid showing your hand to anyone before a showdown, including players in or out of the hand and spectators. Even if you're all-in with another player, revealing cards can influence the actions of others still in play. “One-player-to-a-hand” means only one person can decide and manage their own hand.
Avoid giving clues: Comments like “Good fold by me” or “I want my hand back” during an active hand may seem harmless, but they can provide information about what cards are no longer in play and affect others' decisions.
Refrain from commenting on community cards: While stating the cards to assist a visually impaired player is fine, avoid saying things like “Wow, all those hearts!” or “Someone probably has a straight.” Even if it seems obvious to you, this could alert other players to information they may not have noticed, potentially influencing the game.
Respect the muck pile: Never dig through the muck to see cards, even your own. What are you crazy? A casino dealer would literally chop your hands off and I'm not even exaggerating.
Don’t advise during the hand: “One-player-to-a-hand” also means refraining from giving advice while the hand is live. Discussing play afterward is fine, though players are not obligated to listen.
Respect others' play: Even if you disagree with someone’s decisions, avoid criticizing them, as it’s poor etiquette. After all, opponents making mistakes can work in your favour over time. Avoid calling players derogatory terms like "donkey" or "fish" and instead, if frustrated, keep criticism to yourself or share it privately after the game.
Breaking these guidelines can lead to a warning, penalties, or more severe consequences. Ideally, a single warning is enough to discourage such behavior.
Dead Man's Hand Poker uses the rules set forth by the Poker Tournament Directors Association. The Poker TDA is a voluntary poker industry association founded in 2001. The TDA mission is to increase global uniformity of poker tournament rules. The Poker TDA rules can be found here.
Comments