The Decision Making

APPLICATION OF RULES

Management protects players and the integrity of the game through fair and even-handed application of the rules. Caro & Cooke's Rules shall be enforced by the decision-making process. All dealers shall run the game in accordance with the Rules. If there is a disagreement or dispute among players involved in a hand or a situation that calls for application or interpretation of a rule, then the dealer shall call the floorperson to the table to make a decision. All decisions will be made in the context of the Paramount Rules, as hereinafter set forth. The floorperson shall weigh the facts, consider the four criteria for rulemaking (Fairness, Efficiency, Simplicity and Tradition) and then apply the rule, making a decision. In applying the Rules the floorperson shall use the Definitions of Poker Terms included in Caro & Cooke's Rules to the exclusion of any other definitions.

TIMING OF RULINGS

The proper time to draw attention to an irregularity or error is when it occurs. Objection to any matter arising in the course of a hand must be made before the first riffle of the shuffle for the new hand. This principle applies to matters calling for decision by a floorperson as well as matters within the purview of a dealer's duties.

FACTORS INFLUENCING DECISIONS

 An unintentional error shall be construed more liberally than what appears to be a deliberate violation of the rules. An inexperienced player shall be given leeway that a more experienced and knowledgeable player would not. The floorperson may presume that higher limit players have more experience and knowledge of the game, but shall always be aware that this is not necessarily the case. The floorperson shall weigh the actual damage done by the rule violation. The floorperson shall consider whether one or another player involved in a dispute has malicious intent, or seeks to take advantage of another player or a situation. All other factors being equal, the floorperson shall apply the rules in such a way so as to induce action rather than inhibit it.

DECISION-MAKING PROCEDURES

 Dealers shall never make decisions. All decisions shall be made by the floorperson. When a dealer calls a floorperson over to make a decision, the dealer shall describe the facts that make a decision necessary. Then players involved in the situation shall be asked if they have anything to add or if they disagree with the dealer's rendition of the facts. The players shall be asked this in clockwise rotation, starting at the first seat to the left of the button in games played with a button, starting with the first seat to the left of the dealer in games played without a button. After players involved in the situation have had their say, if facts remain in dispute, the floorperson may, but shall not be obligated to, ask other persons seated in the game if they have any facts which shed light on the decision. Note that in all three cases--the dealer, players involved in the dispute and other players at the table--the floorperson seeks only relevant facts, not opinions, particularly not opinions regarding the application of the Rules. The floorperson shall then render his decision that, as provided in the Paramount Rules, shall be final.

DECISIONS BEYOND THE RULES

At times a situation may arise which is not expressly covered by the Rules. In such situations the floorperson shall weigh the facts and render the most appropriate decision in light of the four principle considerations of the Rules of Poker: Fairness, Efficiency, Simplicity and Tradition.

DISCIPLINE ARISING FROM DECISIONS

 More often than not a decision will only result in a determination of what shall be done: is a hand live or dead, is a player entitled to a pot or not, has there been a misdeal, etc. However at some times a decision may result in discipline against a player. Management, through its representative the floorperson, is very limited in what it can--or for that matter should--do regarding disciplining a player who violates the rules. Among other issues, management's authority and rights are legally limited. Intent and experience are important variables in disciplining players. Management's choices in applying discipline are: 1) Expel the player from the game, and set a time limit before which he cannot return; 2) Suspend the player from the cardroom for a period of time; 3) Bar the player from the cardroom.

It is not the place of this Rule Book to set forth for cardroom management how they should resolve their disciplinary problems. Management shall always keep in mind the four principles of poker rules (Fairness, Efficiency, Simplicity and Tradition) and always serve the interest and spirit of the game.

CONFLICT OF RULES

 When any provision of Caro & Cooke's Official Rules is in conflict with the rules of a particular game, then the rules of the particular game shall take precedence and supersede the general rule. In any other case where two rules may conflict, then the interpretation that best serves the interest of the game shall be applied.

AVOIDING UNFAIR RESULTS

When strict enforcement of a rule will cause a patently and obviously unfair result, then the floorperson shall have the unrestricted right to waive any rule and make the decision that will cause a fair result. As the point of the game is to take the pot, in any questionable or marginal situation involving the awarding of the pot, the rules shall be interpreted in such a way so that the player with the best hand gets the pot. This is consistent with the paramount rules that fairness and the interest of the game shall always be served.

PRINCIPLES FOR INTERPRETING RULES

For purposes of these rules it shall be presumed that all games are center-dealt: a professional and impartial dealer who is not participating in the game deals the cards and manages the game. (See Caro & Cooke's Rules relating to the deal for a provision that addresses special issues for player-dealt games.) The rules also presume a public cardroom environment, although they may be applied to home poker games as well. The rules apply to all poker games, regardless of nature and structure. Rules peculiar to particular games are discussed in a separate Article. Subject and Article headings are not part of rules, but are included only for indexing purposes and ease of finding rules. For ease of syntax the rules use the masculine for all personal pronouns. This is merely as a convenience, and is not meant to imply anything about the game-- wherever the masculine gender is used, both genders are included. The rules distinguish between SHALL and SHOULD. "Shall" refers to those items that are mandatory. "Should" refers to those matters that are recommended for the good of the game, but are not rules per se. When any word included in the list of definitions at Article 18 is used in a Rule, then that word shall be construed pursuant to the definition provided here, to the exclusion of all other definitions. All rules automatically incorporate the Definitions.