More Tournament Rules

A few issues ago, my column detailed the first three of 14 rules that have been adopted by the Tournament Directors Association (TDA). Rule No. 3 relates to side pots: Each side pot will be split as a separate pot. They will not be mixed together before they are split.

In describing that rule, I went into detail about how it is imperative that the side pot always be split according to high and low, as it could affect the outcome of the amount of chips each player receives. In actuality, the rule does not address my concern, as it is in place simply to make sure that the side pot(s) is not intermingled with the main pot and then split. I am hoping the TDA will expand the rule to include accurately splitting all pots.

Now, let's look at a few more of those 14 rules:

4. Calling for the clock procedures: Once a clock is called for, a player will be given one minute to make a decision. If action has not been taken by the time the minute is over, there will be a 10-second countdown. If a player has not acted on his hand by the time the countdown is over, the hand will be dead.

Any tournament that uses the clock rule, which I believe all major tournaments do, should make sure that floor personnel strictly abide by this rule. In a tournament not too long ago, I witnessed a tournament director actually reset the clock to allow the player an extra minute to decide. What's fair for one player is fair for all.

5. Dead button: Tournament play will use a dead button.

The issue of a dead button vs. a forward-moving button has been debated for years. Personally, I think all live games should use a forward-moving button and all tournaments should use a dead button. There are benefits and disadvantages for both as they pertain to live games and tournament play, but I believe the benefits are clear for a forward-moving button in live games, as well as for a dead button for tournaments.

6. Penalties: A penalty may be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending, if a card(s) goes off the table, if soft-playing occurs, or similar incidents take place. Penalties will be invoked in cases of abuse, disruptive behavior, or similar incidents.

Penalties are a hot topic on the tournament trail, as everyone seems to have a different opinion as to what is good for poker. I have a problem with the way this rule is written, as it allows for each tournament to apply its own perspective in enforcing these rules. Saying that a player may get a penalty if he exposes any card with action pending, if a card(s) goes off the table, if soft-playing occurs, or similar incidents take place is allowing the person making the ruling too much leverage. An example of a more specific rule would be: If a player exposes any card with action still pending, and in doing so is attempting to gain or give action that could influence the outcome of the hand, he will be given a time penalty. Taking this approach would mean the person making the ruling would have to take the hands, position, and potential outcome into play, and then would be able to make an accurate decision.

Leaving this rule open to interpretation allows for too many variations to be used. I'm hoping the TDA dissects this rule and comes up with standard rules for each infraction that could be grounds for a penalty, and a standard penalty to use for each infraction.

Too many penalties are handed out today according to a player's background. A person who never says a word should be exposed to the same penalty that is given to the player who always cusses. Because a player has a reputation for abusing rules does not mean he should be subjected to rules that others aren't. If that player is really a habitual abuser, he should not be allowed to play in the tournament, making it a safer and friendlier experience for everyone.