blonde poker forum

self deal tournament, 2 tables of 6 remain, 9 paid.
one entire table of 6 decide they all want a break at the same time, get up and leave the cardroom.
what's the ruling on this?

I would have thought that unless it's an official break sanctioned by the TD (and therefore a break for all), then the tournament would continue.  Both tables cards will be dealt, and blinds posted on the 'Mary Celeste' table as they will be on the table with players.

But that's just a guess.

if the TD has not agreed to the break then he needs to get them back

with 12 left they have a huge advantage if the other table is playing and they are not with the clock running

If I were on the table with 5 wanting a break at an unscheduled time I'd sit back down sharpish and insist that we carry on and I'd deal the lot and pinch the blinds until they return

Happens in our pub all the time.  The owner goes mad, but they never take any notice.

TD announces hand for hand

that is against the interests of short stacks on the other table

Play has to continue

so one table are sitting out blinds being passed around

the other table 50% are going to miss the final because of this


as TD i would freeze the blinds and make it hand for hand

The tourney cant continue surely, the WHOLE of the other table are just chip passing in effect, ie not playing a single hand while the other table is playing.

I would of thought that the TD should get the players back.

Also, doesnt the "3 leaving rule" come into effect? Where only 3 people can leave the table at any one time?

never heard of that ruling


could cause trouble

3 over at the bar having a pint and your dying for a bathroom break

so you get a bottle or break the rule

entire table leaves?..fine..move three guys of that table to the other table and three of the table that continues playing on with another three guys who are sitting out and let them take their blinds.

A very bizarre situation and one that IMO would almost warrant disqualification for the entire table. there is no ruling for it smply because any self respecting TD won't let it happen. If it happens all the time I'd say get them banned.

can't go hand for hand or continue normally as it's self deal and there's noone to deal at 1 table

hand for hand means that one table deals one hand then no more is dealt till the other table starts playing again

Exactly the solution I was thinking.

To OP surely there is background to this - did the players ask for a break and the TD refused?

The 3 people leaving a table at one time was while I was in Vegas this year, but maybe it was cash only?

not a rule I've seen anywhere in the UK

Another reason why we need standard rules

Yes it's a cash rule - the way it worked in the casino I was in was that if 3 ppl leave they call out over the PA system for them to come back.  If they don't, the chips get picked up and the seats are opened.

I wouldn't let it get to this point. I suppose you can stop the clock, however I do not like the players dictating to me when to have a random break. They would be told that they would be subject to disqualification if they do not return, then watch how fast they run back to the table. I wouldn't want to start moving players around as technically you are not balancing the tables.

There is no way that this situation would be covered in any set of rules, it would always be up to the TD.  If the players all agreed to leave at the same time, you could argue that they were colluding to gain an advantage.

Anyway, I still think there is more to this that we haven't been told. 

well yes..I can't imagine someone just said "hey, wanna go for a smoke? " and they all just got up and left...something else must have gone on here.

My point about standard rules is for situations like this one.

Once it occurs, the standard rules would be changed to stop it happening again.