These rules apply to all players participating in Showdown League events.
Players must agree to and follow all Showdown League rules and TDA Rules (with modifications listed below).
Before participating, players must complete a Player Agreement. Visit the Tournament Director or use the Sign-in kiosk at the venue to register.
All events are FREE to enter. Chips are for gameplay only and have no monetary value.. Ask Servers or Staff for details on obtaining additional chips
Players earn League Points based on their final event placements.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Players violating rules will receive a verbal warning, followed by penalties or removal from the event for continued infractions.
Weapons of any type are strictly prohibited at Showdown venues.
Gambling, cheating, theft, or placing currency on the poker table is strictly forbidden. Violators will be banned from future events.
Excessive profanity, obscene language, disruptive behavior, arguing, shouting, or making excessive noise will result in penalties or event removal.
Throwing, tearing, bending, or damaging cards or chips will result in penalties or event removal.
All decisions made by the Tournament Director are final.
Seating is randomized using the Tournament Director App or seating cards provided by the Tournament Director.
The Dealer button starts at Seat 1 if randomization is used. If randomization fails, the dealer button is determined by dealing for the high card at one table, and this seat will become the dealer at all tables.
Alternates must register and arrive by the end of the 6th blind level. Entry into the tournament after points are reached is not permitted.
Alternates may join as soon as seats become available.
Players from a broken table or late arrivals may receive cards in any position, including button, small blind, or big blind.
Chips must remain on the table at all times, with high-value chips clearly visible.
Bonus tokens must be placed on the table before a hand starts to be valid. Tokens received mid-hand are void if the player is eliminated during that hand.
The dealer may fold a player's cards if they are absent when action reaches them.
Bets and raises must be announced clearly. String bets and pot splashing are not allowed.
Oversized chip bets count as a call unless a raise is verbally declared beforehand.
Raises must at least match the previous bet or raise amount unless a player is all-in.
Both cards must be shown to claim a contested pot.
Side pots will be created when required.
Checking the nuts (an indisputable winning hand) when last to act may lead to a warning.
Showing live cards to an active player requires showing them to all players, subject to penalty.
Showing cards to a folded player allows any other player to request viewing those cards after the hand concludes.
Blinds will increase according to the posted Blind Schedule. Players must pay blinds when due.
Dead Button rule: If the small blind player is eliminated, the button moves to the empty seat, and blinds proceed normally.
Dead Small Blind rule: If the big blind player is eliminated, the small blind is skipped, and only the big blind is posted.
If two players are eliminated simultaneously, the player with more chips at the start of the hand achieves the higher position.
At the final table, players will be reseated, and the button position will be redealt.
In heads-up play, the player due the big blind posts it. The small blind player receives the button, acting first pre-flop and second post-flop.
Please always treat Showdown staff, fellow players, and the game respectfully.
These rules are not exhaustive; players may be disqualified or suspended for inappropriate behavior not explicitly covered above.
Thank you, and see you at the tables!
-Showdown League