1

POKER GUIDE
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W E L C O M E
General Rules . ............................................................... 5

Poker Etiquette .............................................................. 6

House Policies . ...........................................................7-9

Operating Procedures .................................................... 9

The Buy-In....................................................................... 9

“All-in”/Table Stakes .................................................... 10

Exposed Cards . ....................................................... 10-11

Boxed Cards ................................................................. 11

Misdeals .................................................................. 11-12

Uncalled Bet ................................................................. 13

Betting And Raising . ............................................... 13-14

Hand Protection . ..................................................... 14-15

Action Out Of Turn ................................................... 15-16

The Showdown ............................................................. 16

Seven-Card Stud High.............................................. 17-20

Hold ‘Em ....................................................................... 20

Omaha .......................................................................... 20

Omaha High-Low Split ............................................ 21-22

Use Of Blinds . .............................................................. 21

Hold ‘Em Irregularities . .......................................... 21-22

Blind Placement ...................................................... 22-23

No-Limit Hold ‘Em........................................................ 24

No-Limit Raise Rules .............................................. 24-25

Acting Out Of Turn On A No-Limit Game ...................... 25

Kill Pots ........................................................................ 25

Poker Hand Rankings . ............................................ 26-27

Proper Conduct ............................................................ 27

A complete version of the Poker Gaming rules is available

upon request. Please contact a supervisor to place request.
 5

GENERAL RULES
1. In all disputes in which a ruling, interpretation,
clarification or intervention is required, the decision
of the poker supervisor shall be final.
2. It shall be the responsibility of all players to protect their
hand until they are satisfied that it has lost to all hands at
the table.
3. Each player shall be required to keep all cards dealt to
them in full view of the dealer at all times. The dealer
is required to ensure compliance.
4. At the showdown, a winning hand must be clearly
displayed in its entirety and properly identified. The player
initiating the final bet or raise that is called shall be the
first player to show their hand at the showdown, whether
that action was taken on the last card or on a past round.
5. A hand that has been placed face-up on the table,
and properly identified, is a live hand even if the
dealer collects the hand in error.
6. A player who fails to take reasonable means to protect
their hand shall have no redress if their hand becomes
fouled or the dealer accidentally collects the hand.
7. Undeclared chips or money does not play. Money or chips
must be in plain sight of the dealer and the amount visible
prior to cards being dealt in order to play.
8. Chips and/or cash may not be transferred from one player
to another.
9. Proposition wagering and/or side bets are not allowed.
10. Conversation in a language other than English is forbidden
while a hand is in progress.
11. Any player, dealer or supervisor who sees an error about
to be made in awarding a pot has an ethical obligation to
speak up.
12. A seated player who is dealt a hand may be obligated to
money owed to the pot.
13. The Mohegan Sun Pocono Poker Room is not responsible
for chips or money left unattended at a table. Chips and/
or cash removed by a player who will be returning to that
game must have the amount verified by a supervisor.
14. A new player who is dealt a hand must have the minimum
buy-in amount in chips.
15. If a player wants to contest a pot, they must do so
immediately. Once any cards are dealt for the next hand,
all rights to the previous hand have been lost.
16. A verbal statement or indication of “fold,” “check,”
“call,” “raise” or an announcement of a specific size
wager, assuming it is within the parameters of the
game being played, shall be binding on the player
if it is that player’s turn to act.
17. A player may win with too few cards, but never with
too many.
POKER ETIQUETTE
1. Language, dress and behavior should be of a standard
appropriate for ladies and gentlemen.
2. A player who expects to be showing down the winning
hand should show it immediately.
3. It is considered impolite to ask to see the hand of a player
one has just beaten in a pot or to use the request as a
“needle.”
4. Although deception is a necessary part of poker, it is not
polite to use an excessive amount of time to make a play
one knows will be made.
5. In most situations, a player who has no interest in the pot
should still hold onto his hand although nobody has bet.
They should not fold, even in turn, if a particular player
may gain an advantage over a competitor by that act.
Folding is more likely to be unfair to someone when
there are fewer players contending for the pot.
6. A raise should be announced.
7. A player going “all-in” should announce that fact.
8. To assist the dealer in maintaining a comfortable,
fast pace of play, a player should turn all his cards
face-down when folding.
9. If a player expects to be leaving the game for a fairly long
time, the supervisor should be notified.
10. Lengthy post-mortems about a hand are unwelcome.
11. Criticism of the way another player has elected to
play their hand or their general style of play is impolite
and undesirable.
12. A player is entitled to quit the game any time he chooses
without suffering criticism.
13. Players should speak up and assist the dealer by
calling attention to an error in the amount of a
bet or improper reading of a hand.
14. It is improper to make an effort to see another’s hole
cards by actions such as leaning or ducking the head.
One is not obliged to look away if cards are openly
exposed to view. It is proper for an opponent to complain
when a player is constantly getting the opportunity to see
another’s hole cards.
15. The dealer is not to be held responsible for things beyond
their control, such as the identity of the cards he deals.
16. Discarded hands should be released on a low line of flight
and at a moderate rate of speed. They should be directed
toward the muck, not the dealers’ hands.
17. Talk or action demeaning to the dealer or player will
not be tolerated. Throwing cards, name-calling and other
such uncivilized behavior will be grounds for suspending
or barring any player from the Poker Room.
 7

HOUSE POLICIES
1. A player must be seated by a supervisor if they wish to
play in a game.
2. Should a seat open on a particular game, all existing
players at the table have a right to claim that seat. Once
the new player physically takes the open seat, either by
sitting down, placing chips on the table or presenting a
Player’s Club card or some form of identification, all other
players lose any rights to the seat.
3. A player cannot be put on a list if seats are open on that
game type and limit.
4. If a player’s name is called for a game, they must take the
seat or request to be rolled to the bottom of the list.
5. A player will only be rolled to the bottom of the list two
times on a particular game.
6. If a player locks up a seat in a new game, they have
fifteen minutes to claim the seat or risk losing the seat
to another player.
7. Players may not switch positions with another player
on the list.
8. If there is more than one game of the same type and limit,
the supervisor will seat a new player in the shortest game,
to keep the games balanced.
9. The Mohegan Sun Pocono Poker Room chip pick-up
policy for players away from the tables is as follows:

RAKE GAMES

When a dealer sits in the box, they will put a player who
is absent from the table into “lobby” (if the player is not
in “lobby” already), by pressing a button on the LED
screen. The light corresponding with that seat will now
flash, putting the player’s seat into hold status. The player
will have 45 minutes to return to their seat. If the player
exceeds the 45-minute period, the dealer will notify the
supervisor and the players’ chips will be picked up.

TIME GAMES
 hen a dealer sits in the box, they will place an absent
W
button wherever there is a player absent from the game.
Once a player receives a second absent button, the dealer
will place the player into “lobby” for twenty minutes. The
dealer will then notify the supervisor and the players’
chips will be picked up.
Once a player returns after having their chips picked up,
they will notify a poker floor supervisor or above. The
poker floor supervisor will then notify and escort the
guest to the podium to receive their chips.
Players who have had their chips picked up, but return
within ten minutes of the pick-up, may have their initials
placed first on the list. If they return after ten minutes
since the pick-up, they will be placed at the bottom of
the list.
10. Optional dinner list - if a player wishes to be put on the
dinner list, they must pick their chips up from the game
and ask the supervisor to have their name put on the
dinner list. Upon returning to the room, the player will
have their name inserted second on the list for the same
type and limit, provided they return within the allotted
time frame. Multiple players returning from dinner will
be inserted into every other position on the list. Players
will have one hour to return from dinner Sunday through
Thursday, and up to two hours on Friday and Saturday.
11. Third man walking - the third man walking will be any
player who gets up from their seat in a cash game after
two other players are already away from the table. This
player will be required to return to their seat within ten
minutes or else their seat in the game will be forfeited if
there is a waiting list for the game.
12. If a player desires to transfer to another game of the same
type and limit, they may do so only if their game is full
or there is a replacement player. This transfer must be
approved by a supervisor.
13. Players may request a seat change which will be denoted
by a seat change button.
14. When two games of the same type and limit are combined,
the following rules will apply:
A. A player who transfers from a broken game to a game
of the same type and limit may continue to play the
same amount of money.
B. If the broken game is a no-limit game, the transferring
player may not bring an amount that exceeds the chip
leader at that particular game.
C. In games using blinds, the button moves to the player
already at the table who is due to receive it. The blinds
are posted accordingly.
15. When players are transferring from an existing game to a
new game, they must wait until the new game is established
or one hour after the new game starts to be transferred.
Players will be moved in the order they signed up on
the transfer list, providing the games meet the balance
guidelines.
Exception: A new player who is first on the transfer list and
wants to switch tables with a player in the existing game
who is first on the transfer list.
16. The house reserves the right to prohibit any players from
playing on the same game.
17. Talking or texting on a cell phone while seated at the table
is strictly prohibited.
18. The house reserves the right to move any game to a new
location.
19. Anyone soliciting personal business from players or
employees will be removed from the Mohegan Sun
Pocono Poker Room.
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20. A change in the limit of any game must be approved by

a supervisor. All active players must be present at the
table and must agree in order to change the limit.
21. Anteing for another player is strictly prohibited.
22. Splitting of pots is strictly prohibited.
23. In live games, everyone but the bettor may call
time on the caller. Anyone can call time on a player
in tournaments.
24. Discourteous behavior or abusive language will not be
tolerated under any circumstances at any time.

OPERATING PROCEDURES
1. All games are table stakes.
A. Table stakes - the currency or gaming chips in play.
A player may not subtract from their currency or
gaming chips at any time during ongoing play.
2. Each card dealt must be the top card off the deck.
3. All discarded hands shall be verified by the dealer to
determine that the proper numbers of cards have been
returned. Players must discard their hands to facilitate
such inspection.
4. Only one player is permitted to a hand and that player
must make all decisions without any advice from anyone
else. A floor supervisor may stop the action and inspect
any player’s hand if deemed necessary.
5. Any information about a folded hand that is given to one
active player in a pot must be shared with all the players
in the pot.
6. An uncalled winning hand shown to another player must,
upon request, be shown to all players.
7. Check and raise is permitted unless otherwise posted.
8. Only players who are seated and/or request a hand may
be permitted to receive cards and participate in each
betting round.
9. Management has the right to “close” or make private
any game at any time. Games may be closed regardless
of the number of players if approved by the supervisor.
Closed games are subject to the maximum table rental
fee for that limit as if the game were open and full.

THE BUY-IN
1. Minimum buy-in is five times the maximum bet unless
otherwise posted.
2. A new player who expects to be dealt a hand must have
the minimum buy-in amount converted to chips prior to
being dealt a hand.
3. Signs will be posted at each poker table indicating
type of game, limit, antes or blinds and rake or
time collection.
“ALL-IN”/TABLE STAKES
1. A player is never obligated to drop out of contention
because they have insufficient funds to call the full amount
of a bet. They may call and receive action for the amount of
chips in front of them.
2. In an “all-in” situation, odd white chips play if they are
part of the ante or blind structure. On a game using
half dollars, the half dollars will only play in an “all-in”
situation in dollar increments.
3. When the action falls upon the player who is “all-in,”
it passes clockwise to the next active player.
4. If a player goes “all-in” and loses the hand, the player
must buy in for the minimum amount before they can
receive another hand.
5. A player with no chips or money cannot be dealt a hand.
6. Undeclared chips or money does not play. Money or chips
must be in plain sight of the dealer on the playing felt and
the amount visible prior to cards being dealt in order to
play.
7. A player must have at least the size of an ante and the
minimum bet amount to play a hand in Stud. In Hold ‘Em
and Omaha, an amount equal to the large blind and at
least one bet at the posted table minimum is required to
play a hand.
8. Chips and/or cash may not be transferred from one player
to another.
9. A player may only add to his gaming chips or currency
between rounds of play and may not remove any of his
gaming chips from the poker table at any time during
ongoing play.

EXPOSED CARDS
1. If a card is accidentally dealt off the table, it shall not be
used in that round of play and shall be placed with the pile
of discarded cards after a thorough examination by the
dealer.
2. A down card dealt face-up or a down card that flashes as
it is dealt so that another player might know its identity is
considered to be an exposed card.
3. A card exposed by the player themselves is not considered
to be an exposed card.
4. Where there is a question of whether a card actually
flashed, the player is entitled to have it replaced if they
have not looked at the card.
5. The type of poker game shall determine the method of
replacement of an exposed card.
 11

STUD
1. If a player’s first or second hole card is accidentally turned
face-up in the dealing process, the third card shall be
dealt face-down.
2. If both hole cards are accidentally turned face-up, the
dealer shall collect all three cards (after dealing a final
down card to that spot), call the player’s hand dead and
return the player’s ante.
3. If the final card dealt to a player is exposed, the following
rules will apply:
A. If the first player received their card face-up, all
remaining players receive their cards face-up and
action is started with the player whose hand was
high on sixth street.
B. If any other player’s card is exposed, that player will
have the option of declaring themselves “all-in” prior
to any action. Action will start with the high hand on
sixth street.
C. In heads-up play, if the first player’s card is exposed,
the second player’s card will be exposed and action
will continue as normal. Should only the second
player’s card be exposed, then there will be no more
betting and both hands will be shown.

HOLD’EM/OMAHA
If any of the face-down cards in the games of Hold ‘Em or
Omaha are accidentally turned face-up in the dealing process,
the dealer shall exchange the exposed card with a card off
the top of the deck once all the hands have been dealt.
The exposed card will be placed on top of the stub and used
as a burn card. Two or more exposed cards is a misdeal.

BOXED CARDS
A card found face-up in the deck shall not be used in the
round and shall be placed with the pile of discarded cards,
then replaced with the next card off the deck.

MISDEALS
1. A misdeal shall cause all the cards to be returned to the
dealer for a reshuffle provided attention is called to the
error before substantial action has taken place.
2. The following actions shall cause a misdeal to be declared
before substantial action:
A. Failure to shuffle and cut the deck before dealing.
B. Dealing to the wrong player first.
C. In a game using an ante, if a player who has anted is
dealt out, it shall be declared a misdeal so long as no
player has yet been dealt all the cards for a starting
hand. If the error is not discovered until one or more
players has been dealt all of his cards, the player dealt
out receives his ante back and the hand is played out.
 D. In a game using blinds, dealing out a player at
the table or dealing out an absent player who has
requested a hand shall be declared a misdeal so long
as no player has yet been dealt all the cards for a
starting hand.
E. Dealing too few cards to a player except when that
player is due to get the top card off the deck.
F. Dealing too many cards to a player, except when the
last card dealt was due to be the burn card and can be
returned to the deck.
G. If either the first or second card off the deck
is exposed.
H. If two or more cards are exposed by the dealer that
need to be replaced.
I. If more than one boxed (improperly faced) card is
present in the deck.
3. A misdeal does not occur when:
A. In any game played with an ante, if the pot is found
to be short one or more antes. The offender(s) shall
have a live hand and have to put in the missing ante.
The deal is played out with a short pot if the offender
cannot be determined.
B. An absent player is dealt in. The hand is killed if they
are not back by the time it is their turn to act.
C. An ineligible seat or player is dealt in. The dealer
continues to deal a complete hand in that spot
face-down and then the hand is killed.
D. A player discovers that they have too many cards after
substantial action has occurred. They have a dead
hand.
E. A player discovers they have too few cards. The hand
may be played.
F. A card initially dealt to the wrong player can be moved
to its proper owner in a simple manner, without any
damage being done. If there is any chance the wrong
player looked at the card’s face, it is a misdeal.

DEFECTIVE DECK
If the integrity of the deck is obviously substandard, the pot
may be declared dead and all bets returned. A player who
realizes the deck is “defective” has an obligation to call
attention to the fact immediately. A player who plays knowing
that the deck is defective in order to alter the results of the
game, shall be subject to suspension of play in the card room.
 13

UNCALLED BET
1. A player who makes a bet that nobody calls wins the pot.
2. A player who makes a bet then incorrectly assumes there
are no live hands against them and throws their hand away
will have no recourse if the hand comes in contact with the
discards and cannot be reconstructed.
3. A discarded hand should be returned to the player, if
possible, when:
A. A player thinks they have won the pot and there is still
a live hand out.
B. A player already in for a bet thinks that they owe
more money.
C. A player has somehow obligated him or herself
to put money into the pot and is attempting to
fold instead.
4. An uncalled winning hand shown to another player must,
upon request, be shown to all players.

BETTING AND RAISING

1. Check and raise is permitted unless otherwise posted.
2. A bet made without the word “raise” being stated,
that is half or more the amount needed to raise, shall
be considered a raise. If it is less than half, it will be
considered a call.
3. If a player makes a call behind a raise, the player may
take the money back if it appears the player was unaware
that a raise had been made. All of the called money must
remain in the pot if a subsequent player has called the
complete bet or exposed their hand.
4. String bets are not allowed. If a player intends to raise,
they should either put all the chips constituting the
raise into the pot at one time or announce that they
intend to raise.
5. An oversized chip placed in the pot is considered to be
the maximum allowable bet if the player is first to act and
only a call if there is a bet to the player.
6. On games where cash plays, cash placed into the pot
without asking for change shall be treated in the same
manner as chips. An oversize bill placed in the betting
area is a call unless otherwise announced.
7. If a player mistakenly bets the lower limit on an upper
limit bet and it is discovered before the round of betting
is complete, all bets must be increased to the proper size.
8. A raise is defined as a bet which increases the size of a
previous wager during a round of betting. In limit games,
the following shall apply:
A. The minimum size bet to reopen the betting round
must be at least half a “full bet.” A player facing at
least half of a full bet may fold, call or raise a full bet.
 B. A player facing a wager of less than half a full bet may
fold, call or complete the bet.
9. In structured games, a maximum of three raises are
allowed unless the action is between two players, in which
case there is no limit to the number of raises. In a no-limit
game, there is no limit to the number of raises.
A. “All-in” players do not affect the maximum number of
raises allowed.
B. Once betting has been capped, the folding of a player’s
hand does not uncap the betting.
10. Proposition wagering and/or side bets are not allowed.

GUIDELINES FOR USING THE BETTING LINE

1. The betting line serves two main purposes: it allows a
safe workspace for players to construct their bets prior
to committing them to the pot and it assists the dealer in
being able to reach the bets more easily. For purposes of
determining action, the betting line extends upward into
space.
2. Any chips released in the same motion will be considered
part of the same action even if some of them do not reach
(or remain inside of) the betting line.
3. For chips held in the hand, forward motion which reaches
the vicinity of the extended betting line commits a player
to take at least some minimum action. The precise amount
of the action may still need to be determined.
4. The only way a player is allowed a second trip across the
betting line is if they announce their intention to raise,
prior to releasing or cutting out any chips onto the felt
inside the betting line.
5. Other than an announced raise, once a player begins to
withdraw their hand from inside the betting line, their
action is complete; no other player should assume action
is complete until then. Furthermore, no subsequent
player should take any action if the status or amount of a
previous action is unclear for any reason. This especially
applies to prematurely revealing one’s hand.
6. None of these guidelines supersede the authority of the
poker supervisor to make decisions intended to preserve
the equity and fairness of the game. Furthermore, any
attempt by a player to use the betting line to manipulate
or circumvent the rules of poker will be considered by
management to be a punishable action.

HAND PROTECTION
A player who fails to take reasonable means to protect their
hand shall have no redress if their hand becomes fouled or
the dealer accidentally collects the hand.
1. It is the responsibility of each player to ensure that
their hand has lost to all other hands at the table before
discarding the hand.
 15

2. A player who leaves the table without comment and has an

unprotected hand is assumed to have no interest in the pot
and his hand will be mucked.

ACTION OUT OF TURN

1. A player has the right to act on their hand and an
obligation to notify the players that they have not yet
acted when the betting action bypasses them. The
following rules apply when betting action bypasses a
player who has not yet acted:
A. If substantial action takes place behind a player whose
turn has come to act and has not yet acted, the actions
stand. The player must check if there has not been a
bet to them and may only call or fold if there was a bet
to them. The dealer counts as a person if they have
condoned the action and is considered having acted if
they have dealt the burn card from the deck or pushed
the action past the proper player.
B. If substantial action has taken place and the dealer
deals any cards for the next round, the player who has
not called all bets has a dead hand.
C. In stud, an action taken by a player who thinks they are
first to act becomes established if the next two players
act behind them; betting shall continue as if they were
supposed to act first.
2. An action out of turn may seriously disrupt the normal
course of betting. Therefore, the following rules will be
used to reduce the harm done to non-offending players if
substantial action has not taken place:
A. The poker supervisor has the authority to require that
a player take the same action in turn that they took out
of turn. This means that if a player acts out of turn by
betting, calling or raising they may have to leave the
chips in the pot. A player is allowed to take back a call
out of turn if an intervening player who had not acted
is allowed to raise the pot.
B. A bet out of turn may be changed to a raise if an
intervening player who had not acted decides to bet
and a raise out of turn may be changed to a re-raise
if an intervening player who had not acted decides to
raise.

WORDS AND GESTURES

A verbal statement or indication of “fold,” “check,” “call,”
“raise” or an announcement of a specific size wager,
assuming it is within the appropriate parameters of the game
being played, shall be binding on the player if it is the player’s
turn to act.
If a player facing a check makes any hand motion that can
be interpreted as a check, it will be ruled as a check. (i.e.,
tapping the table, moving the hand side to side, etc.)
In Stud, a player who is facing a bet and turns down his up
cards or induces another player to act by picking up his up
cards has folded and the dealer should muck his hand.

ODD CHIPS
An odd chip will be broken down to the smallest unit used
in the game. If two or more hands tie, an odd chip will be
awarded as follows:
A. In a button game, the first hand clockwise from the
button gets the odd chip.
B. In High-Only Stud games, the odd chip should be
awarded to the high card by suit. In High/Low Split
games, it should be awarded to the high hand; (when
making this determination, all cards are used, not
just the five cards that constitute the player’s hand.)
C. All side pots and the main pot will be split as separate
pots, not mixed together.

THE SHOWDOWN
1. A showdown determines the winner of a hand when more
than one player is in contention after all betting rounds
have been completed. Provided last action is equal, the
winning hand remains exposed until the pot has been
pushed.
2. At the showdown, a winning hand must be clearly
displayed in its entirety and properly identified. The player
initiating the final bet or raise that is called shall be the
first player to show their hand at the showdown, whether
that action was taken on the last card or on a past round.
All other players showing their hands follow in turn in
a clockwise rotation. Players holding losing hands may
concede their rights to the pot and discard their hand;
however, the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Poker Room
may require the disclosure of any discarded hands.
3. A hand that has been placed face-up on the table and
properly identified is a live hand even if the dealer collects
the hand in error.
4. If a player wants to contest a pot, they must do so
immediately. Once any cards are dealt for the next hand,
all rights to the previous hand have been lost.
5. Only players who were dealt cards are permitted to
request to see a losing hand when there was equal
action at the river.
6. If a player asks to see a losing hand, the pot is pushed to
the winner first. Then, although the losing hand is dead,
the dealer may tap the muck with the losing hand and
display the cards. The losing hand will be considered
dead even if it was discovered to be the best hand, unless
the winner of the pot was the one that requested to see
the hand.
 17

SEVEN-CARD STUD LOW

In Seven-Card Stud Low, the following rules shall apply:
1. The high card by suit is required to initiate action on the
first round. This is a “forced” wager. The next player may
fold, call or raise, completing the forced wager to the full
bet.
2. Suits are ranked from lowest to highest:
Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades.
3. On subsequent rounds, the low hand on board initiates the
betting action. If hands are tied, the player to the left of the
dealer acts first.
4. If a player completes the forced bet, it is not considered a
raise. There will still be three raises left to cap betting.
(i.e., in a 10-20 stud game, the forced bet brings it in for
$3.00 and the next player makes it $10.00. There can still
be three raises and the cap will be $40.00.)
5. In a non-structured game, after third street, any bet
made with an oversized chip without comment will be
interpreted as the maximum bet (i.e., in a 1-5 game, after
third street, a player whose turn it is to act throws in a
$5.00 chip or higher, the bet will be $5.00).
6. A player facing a bet in a non-structured game who
announces a raise will be interpreted as the maximum bet
(i.e., in a 1-5 game, if a player facing a $3.00 bet calls out
“raise,” he must make it $8.00 unless he specifies that he
wants to wager $6.00 or $7.00).
7. For split-limit or structured games, the lower limit applies
on the first two betting rounds unless there is an open pair.
8. On fifth, sixth or seventh street, only the higher limit may
be bet.
9. A player receiving a final down card in a stud game that
should have been dealt to another player must keep it,
if it has been intermingled with his down cards or if there
is any chance that the player has looked at the card. The
player who was missed will be given the next card off the
stub.

SEVEN-CARD STUD HIGH

In Seven-Card Stud, the following rules shall apply:
1. The low card by suit is required to initiate action on the
first round. This is a “forced” wager. The next player may
fold, call or raise, completing the forced wager to the full
bet.
2. Suits are ranked from lowest to highest:
Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades.
3. On subsequent rounds, the high hand on board initiates
the betting action. If hands are tied, the player to the left
of the dealer acts first.
4. If a player completes the forced bet, it is not considered
a raise. There will still be three raises left to cap betting.
(i.e., in a 10-20 stud game, the forced bet brings it in for
$3.00 and the next player makes it $10.00. There can still
be three raises and the cap will be $40.00.)
5. In a non-structured game, after third street, any bet
made with an oversized chip without comment will be
interpreted as the maximum bet (i.e., in a 1-5 game, after
third street, a player whose turn it is to act throws in a
$5.00 chip or higher, the bet will be $5.00).
6. A player facing a bet in a non-structured game who
announces a raise will be interpreted as the maximum bet
(i.e., in a 1-5 game, if a player facing a $3.00 bet calls out
“raise,” he must make it $8.00 unless he specifies that he
wants to wager $6.00 or $7.00).
7. For split-limit or structured games, the lower limit applies
on the first two betting rounds unless there is an open
pair.
A. If there is an open pair on fourth street, any bettor has
the option of wagering either the lower or upper limit.
B. If a player bets the lower limit, they may be raised the
amount of either the upper or lower limit by any player.
C. Subsequent raisers also may raise the lower limit if
nobody has bet or raised the upper limit.
D. If a player calls out a bet, it will be interpreted as the
lower limit.
8. On fifth, sixth or seventh street, only the higher limit may
be bet.
9. A player receiving a final down card in a stud game that
should have been dealt to another player must keep it,
if it has been intermingled with his down cards or if there
is any chance that the player has looked at the card. The
player who was missed will be given the next card off the
stub.

SEVEN-CARD STUD HIGH-LOW/SEVEN-CARD

STUD HIGH-LOW, SPLIT 8 OR BETTER
There are many similarities between these two games,
however, there are some significant differences.
In Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split 8 or Better:
1. A qualifier of eight or better is needed to be in contention
for the low half of the pot.
2. The low card by suit initiates betting action on the
first round.
A. An ace counts as a high card for this purpose.
 19

IN SEVEN-CARD STUD HIGH-LOW:

1. No qualifier is needed.
2. Suits are ranked from lowest to highest:
Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades.
3. On subsequent rounds, the low hand on board initiates the
betting action. If hands are tied, the player to the left of the
dealer acts first.
4. If a player completes the forced bet, it is not
considered a raise. There will still be three raises
left to cap betting. (i.e., in a 10-20 stud game, the
forced bet brings it in for $3.00 and the next player
makes it $10.00. There can still be three raises and
the cap will be $40.00.)
5. In a non-structured game, after third street, any bet
made with an oversized chip without comment will be
interpreted as the maximum bet (i.e., in a 1-5 game, after
third street, a player whose turn it is to act throws in a
$5.00 chip or higher, the bet will be $5.00).
6. A player facing a bet in a non-structured game who
announces a raise will be interpreted as the maximum bet
(i.e., in a 1-5 game, if a player facing a $3.00 bet calls out
“raise,” he must make it $8.00 unless he specifies that he
wants to wager $6.00 or $7.00).
7. For split-limit or structured games, the lower limit applies
on the first two betting rounds unless there is an open pair.
8. On fifth, sixth or seventh street, only the higher limit may
be bet.
9. A player receiving a final down card in a stud game that
should have been dealt to another player must keep it,
if it has been intermingled with his down cards or if there
is any chance that the player has looked at the card.
The player who was missed will be given the next card off
the stub.

IN BOTH SEVEN-CARD STUD HIGH-LOW AND

SEVEN-CARD STUD HIGH-LOW 8 OR BETTER:
1. On subsequent rounds, the high hand initiates action.
2. Split limit high-low games use the lower limit on third and
fourth street and the upper limit on subsequent streets; an
open pair does not affect the limit.
3. Straights and flushes do not impair the value of a hand for
low.
4. A player may use any five cards to make his best high hand
and any other grouping of five cards, even if it’s the same
as his high hand, to make his best low hand.
The following rules shall apply in
SEVEN-CARD HIGH, SEVEN-CARD STUD
HIGH-LOW, SEVEN-CARD HIGH-LOW 8 OR
BETTER:
1. A player who has anted, but is not actually present
at the table when the time comes to act on their
hand will have the forced bet put in the pot for them,
if obligated.
2. If a player who is in for all the bets folds, their seat
receives the card it was due on the subsequent round and
continues to receive a card on subsequent rounds until
there is a bet.
3. If the dealer is going to run out of cards before all active
players have a complete hand, the following procedure
shall be used:
A. Instead of dealing anyone an individual card, they shall
burn a card and deal a common card for all the players
to use.
B. If only some of the players are sharing a common card,
there shall be no more betting.
C. In higher limit games (those that allow a bet of more
than $20.00), it is extremely unlikely that a common
card will be necessary; therefore, the dealer should
notify the supervisor before examining the stub.
D. If there are not sufficient cards to deal a common
card or the common card would be the last card of the
deck, the dealer shall shuffle the burn cards and deal
a common card. Action will start with the hand that
was high on sixth street. If that player is “all-in,” then
action will start with the hand to their immediate left.
4. In all games, the dealer should indicate who acts first.
5. Any card dealt before everyone has acted may not be kept.
A. A new deck is made from the unused stub and the
improperly dealt cards, being careful not to use any
burn or muck cards. The dealer shuffles, cuts
and deals.

HOLD ‘EM
Each player receives two down cards. Five community cards
are shared. The best five cards play.

OMAHA
Each player receives four down cards. Five community cards
are shared. Each player must specifically play two cards from
their hand and three from the board.
 21

OMAHA HIGH-LOW SPLIT

Player may use any two cards from their hand for high and
the same or any other combination of two cards for low. Split
pot games use a qualifier of eight or better for low.

USE OF BLINDS
1. Games with a house dealer use a flat disk called the
dealer button (or just “button”) to indicate the theoretical
dealer of each hand. Two blind bets are
used to initiate action.
2. The player to the immediate left of the button is first to
receive a card. This is the “small blind” or “first blind”
position. The player next in position will post a “big blind”
or “large blind.”
3. In a new game, the position of the dealer button will be
determined by having the dealer deal one up card to each
player. The player who receives the highest card by rank
and suit will have the button.
4. The first player to act will be the player to the left of
the “big blind.” The small blind and big blind will each
have an option to raise on the initial round of betting. On
subsequent rounds, the first active player clockwise from
the button acts first.
5. Hold ‘Em and Omaha games will use the lower limit
before and on the flop and the upper limit on the last
two betting rounds, unless a specifically posted sign
announces a different structure.
6. In a new game, a player who takes a seat is not required
to post the big blind until that seat misses any blinds.
7. A new player to the game may not receive a hand between
the small blind and the button or have the privilege of last
action.
8. When coming from a broken game, the player is not
obligated to post a blind if the game is of the same
type and limit.
9. All large blinds are “live,” meaning the player has the
option of raising the bet when the action reaches them.

HOLD ‘EM IRREGULARITIES

1. If the flop has more than three cards, it will be taken back
and reshuffled. The burn card will not be reshuffled nor
will another card be burned. This method is used unless
there has been substantial action based on an improper
card, in which case, the card the players based their
action on will stand, and the dealer on subsequent streets
shall treat the two stuck-together cards as a single card.
2. If cards are flopped by the dealer before all the betting is
completed, the entire flop is taken back and reshuffled.
The burn card will not be reshuffled nor will another card
be burned.
3. If the dealer turns up the fourth card on the board before
the round of betting is completed, the card is not in play.
After completion of the betting, the next card is burned
and the fifth card is put up in the fourth card’s place. After
betting is completed, the dealer will reshuffle the deck,
including the card that was taken out of play, but not the
burn cards or discards. The dealer will then cut the deck.
Without burning a card, he will deal the fifth card.
4. If the fifth card is turned up before betting is complete,
it shall be reshuffled in the same manner as in the
preceding rule.

BLIND PLACEMENT
1. Every player must take all the blinds each round.
A. If a player had a blind on the previous deal and does
not participate in the next hand, his seat may still be
assigned a blind or the button.
B. A blind or button assigned to an empty seat is
termed “dead.”
2. A player who switches games, moves seats or who
misses blinds on a round shall have the blinds corrected
as follows:
A. A player who misses both blinds must post an amount
equal to the sum of the blinds. The excess amount,
over the big blind, becomes dead money and is not part
of the bet. An owed small blind will be dead money.
Exception: If a player chooses to come in on a straddle,
they will not be required to post the small blind.
B. A player who goes broke and wishes to re-enter the
game shall be treated as a new player with regard to
the blinds, once they have missed their big blind.
C. A player who moves to a new seat, and goes past three
or more active (present at the table) players clockwise
from the blinds, must post the amount of the big blind
(or wait the appropriate number of hands so as not to
gain any advantage.)
D. If a player moves his seat closer to the big blind, they
will not have to post an extra blind.
E. A player who has just taken the blind before the button
or just played his button and then immediately moves
to a new seat that is due for the big blind or either of
the two seats on the immediate left of the big blind
has the option of letting the blinds go by them without
penalty.
F. If a new player is coming into a button game and a
player who is requesting that open seat has just paid
any of their blinds, that player has the option to play off
their button and then move.
 23

G. A player who needs to make up a blind and looks at

any of his cards before posting the blind money has
a dead hand, provided the error is caught before the
player acts on his hand. If they act before the mistake
is caught, the hand is live and may be played and the
player must make up the blind on a subsequent deal
or wait for big blind position.
H. A player going from a must-move game into a main
game will have an option. They may receive a hand
immediately, but will be required to post the big blind
when it’s their turn or they may choose to sit out until
the button passes them and will not be required to post.
I. “Buying the button” is the posting of all owed blinds
by a player so that they may be dealt in right away and
receive the button on the subsequent hand. The large
blind is posted live and the small blind is posted dead.
This can only be done between the button and small
blind position.
3. If a player has posted their big blind twice and has not
brought attention to this prior to substantial action, they
shall have the following options:
A. They may post their small blind the next hand and the
button will progress as normal.
B. They can sit out the next hand, the button will be given
to the player who has just posted their small blind
twice and the next player will post their big blind. No
small blind will be posted this hand. On the next hand,
the button will move to that player who just sat out and
the blinds will progress as normal.
4. If a player is dealt a hand that is due the big blind and their
intention was to sit out for the round of play, the following
action will take place:
A. If there is no substantial action, the hand will be
declared a misdeal.
B. If substantial action has already taken place, the hand
will be played without a big blind. On the following
hand, the button will move and the hand will be played
without a small blind. The button will freeze the next
hand to correct the blinds.
5. If a player pays the large blind then misses the small
blind, it will be dead money upon their return.
6. If a player pays the large blind then wants to move their
seat, the small blind will be live in their new position.
NO-LIMIT HOLD ‘EM
No-limit buy-ins will have a predetermined minimum and
maximum. The buy-in amount will be determined by the blind
structure. Blind structures and buy-in amounts will be clearly
displayed on the gaming plaque.
1. New players are required to post the big blind to receive
a hand.
2. Existing players who miss blinds must post them upon
return to the game or wait for their natural big blind.
3. A player going from a must-move game must go to the
next game with their current chip amount. This amount
may be below or above the posted minimum or maximum.
4. Players transferring voluntarily are to meet the posted
minimum and maximum requirements.
5. Players from a broken game may come into games of the
same limit without posting. They may bring with them any
current chip amount above the posted maximum that does
not exceed the table’s chip leader.
6. Players deciding to bet may request another player’s chip
count.
7. Cash may play in limits of 5-10 No-Limit and above. Only
denominations of $100.00 will play. In limits less than 5-10
No-Limit, cash will not play and must be converted into
chips prior to the hand being dealt.
8. There is no limit on the number of raises or the bet
raise amount.

NO-LIMIT RAISE RULES

1. A player who is intending to raise the pot must do so in
one motion or state the word “raise.”
A. O
 nce a player states the word “raise,” they will be
permitted return to their stack and may raise to any
amount. A player is permitted to work behind the
betting line to gather the raise but may only come
across the betting line once or notify the table of the
amount of the raise before crossing the betting line.
B. Any backward motion from the betting area without
the declaration of a raise will result in the player being
held to a call, unless the excess amount is more than
half and the player will then be held to the minimum
raise.
2. A player who has not acted and is facing an “all-in” raise
that is less than a full bet will have the following options:
• Fold
• Call the amount
• Complete the full raise or raise an amount that exceeds
the full raise
 25

3. A player who has already acted and is facing an “all-in”

raise that is less than a full bet will have the following
options:
• Fold
• Call the amount of the “all-in”
4. Any player facing an “all-in” raise that is a full bet or more
will have the following options:
• Fold
• Call
• Raise to any amount acting out of turn on a
no-limit game

ACTING OUT OF TURN ON

A NO-LIMIT GAME
1. If a player bets out of turn and all intervening players
check to that player, that player will be required to bet.
2. If a player bets out of turn and an intervening player bets
more than the offender, the offender is permitted to take
their bet back.
3. The player betting out of turn will be permitted to raise if
an intervening player makes a bet of any size.
4. If an intervening player bets less or the same amount as
the offender, the offender’s options will be to call the bet
or raise. The offender will not be permitted to take all of
their money back in this instance.
5. If a player calls a bet out of turn, that player will be
required to call when it’s their turn to act unless an
intervening player raises.

KILL POTS
1. In Omaha High-Low Split 8 or better, a “kill” or “half-kill”
may be offered. A kill button, indicating the kill or half-kill
is in effect, shall be placed in front of the player who wins
the entire pot in the hand, provided that the amount of the
pot is a minimum of 10 times the maximum permissible
wager for the hand.
2. In the succeeding hand, the player shall be required
to place a blind bet in the amount of the increased
permissible wager for that hand.
3. If, in the succeeding hand, a qualifying pot is not split
between one player winning the high hand and another
winning the low hand, the kill button will be moved in
front of the player who wins the entire pot for that hand.
4 The kill or half-kill will remain in effect until a pot does not
qualify in amount or a pot is split between a player winning
a high hand and another low hand.
5. Once a pot does not qualify in amount or is split between
two players, the dealer will collect the kill button.
POKER HAND RANKINGS
Rank of the cards used in all types of poker other than low
poker, for the determination of winning hands, in order of
highest to lowest rank, shall be: Ace, King, Queen, Jack,
Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three and Two. All
suits shall be considered equal in rank. For purposes of
completing a “Straight Flush” or a “Straight,” an Ace may be
combined with a Two, Three, Four and Five. The permissible
high poker hands as determined by the holding of a full five-
card hand, in order of highest to lowest rank shall be:
1. “Royal Flush” is a hand consisting of an Ace, King,
Queen, Jack and Ten of the same suit.
2. “Straight Flush” is a hand consisting of five cards of the
same suit in consecutive ranking, with King, Queen, Jack,
Ten and Nine being the highest-ranking Straight Flush
and Ace, Two, Three, Four and Five being the lowest-
ranking Straight Flush.
3. “Four-Of-A-Kind” is a hand consisting of four cards of
the same rank regardless of suit, with four Aces being
the highest-ranking Four-Of-A-Kind and four deuces
(Twos) being the lowest ranking Four-Of-A-Kind.
4. “Full House” is a hand consisting of “Three-Of-A-Kind”
and a “Pair,” with three Aces and two Kings being the
highest-ranking Full House and three deuces (Twos) and
two treys (Threes) being the lowest-ranking Full House.
5. “Flush” is a hand consisting of five cards of the same
suit.
6. “Straight” is a hand consisting of five cards of
consecutive rank, regardless of suit, with Ace, King,
Queen, Jack and Ten being the highest ranking
straight and Ace, Two, Three, Four and Five being the
lowest-ranking Straight.
7. “Three-Of-A-Kind” is a hand consisting of three cards of
the same rank regardless of suit, with three Aces being
the highest-ranking Three-Of-A-Kind and three deuces
(Twos) being the lowest-ranking Three-Of-A-Kind.
8. “Two Pairs” is a hand consisting of two “Pairs,” with two
Aces and two Kings being the highest-ranking Two Pair
and two treys (Threes) and two deuces (Twos) being the
lowest-ranking Two Pair.
9. “One Pair” is a hand consisting of two cards of the same
rank, regardless of suit, with two Aces being the highest-
ranking Pair and two deuces (Twos) being the lowest-
ranking Pair.
 27

The ranking of cards used in low poker, for the

determination of winning hands, in order of highest to
lowest rank, shall be: Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six,
Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen and King. All suits
shall be considered equal in rank. The ranking of a low
poker hand as determined by the holding of a full five-
card hand shall be the opposite of the ranking for a high
poker hand provided that straights and flushes shall not
be considered for purposes of determining a winning low
poker hand. In all games of poker, a five-card hand shall
be ranked according to the cards actually contained in
the hand and not by the player’s opinion or statement
of its value.

PROPER CONDUCT
Each player in a poker game shall play the game solely to
improve their chance of winning and shall take no action to
improve another player’s chance of winning. No player may
communicate any information to another player which could
assist the player in any manner respecting the outcome of
a poker game.
 1280 Highway 315 • Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
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