Player Rules & Policies are aligned with TDA Guidelines and 2025 Updates.

1. Player Responsibilities

• Know the rules: Players must understand both the TDA and house rules.

• Protect your hand: Guard your cards to avoid fouls like accidental mucking.

• Act in turn: Acting out of turn may lead to penalties.

• Keep cards visible: Hole cards must remain above the table and in view.

• One player to a hand: No advice or discussion of live hands is allowed.

• Inform staff of offensive behavior: Report any discriminatory or offensive conduct to the tournament house. Poker Tournament Directors Association

2. Fair Play & Conduct

• Respect all participants: No abuse or disruptive behavior is permitted.

• English-only rule may apply when a hand is live if mandated.

• No devices at the table: Phones or electronic devices must not rest on the table; players with live hands may not use them. Betting apps and strategy tools are strictly prohibited.

• No stalling: Deliberate slow play may result in penalties.

• Face visibility: Players must remain clearly identifiable; sunglasses, hoodies, or masks may be required to be removed. SigmaPlay

3. Betting Rules

• Verbal declarations are binding: Terms like “call,” “raise,” or “all-in” must be honored.

• Chips must remain in play: Taking chips off play is not allowed.

• Clear bets: Place chips cleanly across the betting line to avoid confusion.

• No string bets: Bets must be made in one motion or verbally declared.

4. Showdown Rules

• Cards speak: The hand you show is what counts, regardless of what you say.

• All-in showdowns are tabled face-up completely.

• No rabbit hunting: Revealing what cards would have come next after the hand ends is prohibited.

5. Tournament Integrity

• Chips are tournament property and may not be shared, sold, or transferred.

• One player per seat: Collusion, ghosting, or chip dumping is forbidden.

• Stay seated: Players must remain in their assigned seats unless officially moved.

6. 2025 TDA-Specific Updates

• Big Blind Ante Format: When using a single-player ante, the big blind ante format with big-blind-first calculation is preferred. Antes must remain constant throughout the tournament, even at final tables.

• Electronic Devices: Phones and other electronic devices may not be on the table, and players with live hands cannot use them. Betting apps and strategy tools are banned. SigmaPlaypoker.org

• Player Identity: Players must be clearly identifiable at all times. Staff may ask players to remove any item that obscures identity (e.g., sunglasses, hoodies, masks).

• Rule Enforcement (Penalties): A structured penalty system is now in place. Infractions may lead to verbal warnings, dead hands, or even disqualification.

7. TDA Procedures

• The Tournament Director (TD) has final authority in disputes and may use rulings in the best interest of the game. Poker Tournament Directors Association

• TDA membership, rule translations, and full rule documentation can be accessed via their forums or official site. Poker Tournament Directors Association+1

8. Player Code of Conduct

• ⁠  ⁠Respect for dealers, staff, and other players.

• ⁠  ⁠No abusive language, gestures, or harassment.

• ⁠  ⁠No collusion, chip dumping, or soft play.

• ⁠  ⁠No disruptive behavior (e.g., excessive slow-rolling, unnecessary tanking).

9. Tournament Rules & Regulations

• ⁠  ⁠Adherence to *TDA (Tournament Directors Association)* or customized house rules.

• ⁠  ⁠Clear policies on:

  * Blind structure

  * Late registration & re-entry

  * Breaks and dinner intervals

  * Time bank and shot clock usage

  * Minimum age requirement (18+ or local legal age)

  * Use of mobile devices at the table

10. Dispute Resolution Policy

• ⁠  ⁠Players must first raise disputes with the floor manager.

• ⁠  ⁠Final decision rests with the Tournament Director.

• ⁠  ⁠Appeal process is not allowed once a final ruling is made unless it breaches stated policies.

11. Buy-In, Payout & Tax Policy

• ⁠  ⁠Buy-in and service fee transparency.

• ⁠  ⁠Payout percentages (e.g., top 12–15%).

• ⁠  ⁠Minimum payout rounding rules (e.g., no coins, round down to nearest 100 THB).

• ⁠  ⁠Foreign player tax handling (e.g., 5–10% tax withheld, with declaration forms if needed).

12. Anti-Cheating & Surveillance Policy

• ⁠  ⁠Full-time surveillance in place.

• ⁠  ⁠Cheating, use of unauthorized devices, or outside assistance will lead to disqualification and lifetime ban.

13. Refund & Cancellation Policy

• ⁠  ⁠What happens if a player cancels after registration.

• ⁠  ⁠Policy if an event is canceled due to venue, regulatory, or force majeure reasons.

14. Player Image & Media Release

• ⁠  ⁠Agreement that players may appear on livestreams or promotional materials.

• ⁠  ⁠Option to opt out for non-feature tables if privacy is requested in advance.

15. Livestream Feature Table Policy

• ⁠  ⁠Headphones, phones, and hoodies may be restricted.

• ⁠  ⁠Delays of 20–30 minutes with RFID or overhead cameras.

• ⁠  ⁠Behavior expectations while on camera.

16. Chip Race & Color Up Policy

• ⁠  ⁠Chips removed during color-ups follow standard procedures.

• ⁠  ⁠Players must be present or have a stack properly maintained.

17. Responsible Gaming & Self-Exclusion Policy

• ⁠  ⁠Players may request temporary bans or self-exclusion.

• ⁠  ⁠Staff may intervene if a player appears intoxicated or distressed.