The Paramount Rules

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.

SPIRIT OF THE GAME

All rules shall be interpreted and all rulings shall be made with the intent that the spirit rather than the letter of the rule be followed, and the spirit of all rules is that the fairest possible outcome shall be achieved. At no time shall interpretation or strict application of a rule be used to achieve an unjust result. The spirit of the game shall be considered the best interest of the game.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RULES

All rules shall be interpreted in the context of the four basic principles of Poker Rules: Fairness, Efficiency, Simplicity and Tradition. Given that the foregoing principles are considered, all rules shall be interpreted in favor of promoting action as opposed to inhibiting action.

DECISIONS FINAL

The decision of the floorperson is final, and not subject to appeal.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

Wherever a Rule is in conflict with any governmental regulation, then the government regulation shall supersede the Rule. Governmental regulations shall be applied in such a way as to cause the least possible change in the Rules.

GROUNDS FOR EXPULSION

The following shall be grounds for immediate expulsion from the card room: verbally or physically threatening any patron or employee; destruction of cardroom property (including cards); throwing cards at an employee or patron. This list of grounds for expulsion is not all-inclusive; management shall always have the authority to expel a player for any grounds it deems reasonable.

PRIORITY OF PARAMOUNT RULES

 These Paramount Rules shall supersede all other rules.

PURPOSE OF RULES

The purpose of rules is not to create a fixed regimen where there is a penalty for the slightest infraction, but rather to foster an environment where the game is honest and fair to all. Although a player is responsible to know the Rules of the game, it is not intended that an innocent or inexperienced player should be punished for his ignorance, but rather that the game be run in an efficient and impartial way. The Paramount Rules serve the spirit of the game, and all rules must be interpreted accordingly.