Poker TDA Releases Updated Rules in 2024 Edition
The world of poker is ever evolving and the rules for live environments require regular discussions, scrutiny and improvements to combat the challenges of hosting competitions. Every two years as of late, the Poker TDA – Tournament Directors Association – is gathering to explore latest developments and try to close possible loopholes in order to maintain a fair gaming environment for all participants.
Poker TDA Updated Rules
From June 29 to 30, 2024, the TDA Summit XI took place at the PokerGO Studio at Aria Resort and Casino Las Vegas, bringing some of live poker’s most prominent figures in the same place to discuss potential rule changes. The event was spearheaded by World Poker Tour Executive Tour Director and Poker TDA founder Matt Savage, who confirmed the 2024 update to its rules and guidelines on October 10, 2024.
Several hot topics sparked a widespread discussion in the poker community in the past two years and especially after the 2024 World Series of Poker, some of which have now been addressed in the new rule book.
Player Must Be Identifiable
One such topic was the masking of the player identity at the tables and very possibly hiding tells by using various coverings, with many players demanding to disallow all methods such as hoodies, sunglasses, and facial coverings or limiting the choice to one item only. Considering the fact that many tournament areas are quite cold in comparison, this can, however, be a tricky quest. The new solution is as follows
“Players must be clearly identifiable at all times. Tournament staff may request a player to remove any item (sunglasses, hood, or other facial covering) which inhibits their identification or is a distraction to other participants.”
Electronic Devices Not Allowed
An even more fierce and hot debate flamed up when it came to electronic devices after two “major incidents” in Las Vegas. It was already a very grey area to have your phones on the table with dealers advised to inform players about removing them from the felt and this has now been reenforced in the rules.
“Phones and other devices may not rest on the table. Players with live hands may not interact with or operate an electronic or communication device. The definition of such devices may include new technologies and shall be as updated by the TD.”
Rule five also explores the usage of strategic content, running solvers on your phone, or advice from the rail as well, which came to light especially after the final stages of the 2024 WSOP Main Event and earlier in the series as well. It has been updated as follows:
“Betting apps, charts, and other poker strategy tools may not be used at the table. Nor may players receive or use poker strategy data from another person or source. Violations of Rule 5 may be subject to penalties in Rule 71.”
Other Updated Rules
Many other topics have received just a minor brush-up with no major news to report about whereas other areas have seen more of a face-lift. This includes the guidelines for hands taking place during level changes, for example.
It is now said that a new level starts on announcement by the floor or audio signal by the clocking system. Furthermore, if a new level starts during the dealer push, the incoming dealer will deal one hand at the prior level.
Another segment that has been specified more in detail is the button movement and placement in case of errors depending on whether or not significant action has taken place during the hand already. This is also the case for re-deals in case of a misdeal as well.
The wording for string bet offenses has been clarified more in detail and the explanation for pot-size calculations in pot limit games, too, whereas the section about warnings and penalties has now been updated to include the improper use of devices or strategy tools as well as dodging blinds on purpose.
So far, hand-for-hand play during the money bubble stages had seen two minutes deducted from the clock for each hand played. This has now been amended and adjusted to three minutes per hand being deducted.
Likewise, the suggestion for the big blind ante rule is now updated as well upon majority vote of the TDA members. A reduction of the single-payer ante based on the number of players at the table is still not up for debate, though, this was temporarily taking place during some live poker events a few years ago and has since all but vanished.
If a single-payer ante is used, the big blind ante format (BBA) with big-blind-first calculation is recommended.
New Rules
Shortly after, several amendments have been made to clarify the general proceedings during an event and the new sections are as follows.
RP-20: Cards Ready for Shuffle
At the start of the tournament of ending of a break, within one minute of starting or resuming play, the floor should announce “dealers prepare your decks”. When at least 2 players are at the table, the dealer will wash and square the deck, to be ready for shuffle when the level starts.
RP-21: Spreading the Pot
The pot will only be counted in pot-limit events. On request the pot may be spread to increase chip visibility. See also Rule 54: Pot Size and Pot-Limit Bets.
RP-22: Betting Non-Denominational Items (Bounty chips, clock tokens etc)
Action items with no nominal value (bounty chips, clock tokens etc) should be of different size than standard betting chips. Betting with these items will be interpreted per house policy or Rule 1 and may be ruled a call or all-in at TDs discretion.
Last but not least, more precise examples of using over-sizes chips for actions during a hand and prior chips not being pulled in have been added towards the end of the new TDA rules.
The next TDA summit will take place in 2026 and until then, new hot topics up for debate will certainly emerge. One such piece of consideration may very likely be the change of the shuffle and card distribution that PokerStars has recently implemented during their live poker events in an attempt to clamp down on possible cheating.
