The Poker Police — Game Rules
The rules that settle the arguments before they start.
These rules keep the game fair and the arguments short. They apply to every game unless a specific variant overrides them.
1. Time Commitment
Players must agree on first call (the first permitted cash-out time) and last call (the session’s ending time) at the start of the session.
All money on the table stays until first call.
Players may only remove money at designated calls.
New money brought in to cover bets stays until the next call.
2. Dealer Responsibilities
Must completely call the game (antes, max bets, variations) before dealing the first card.
Failure to call a legal game = loss of turn to deal (antes remain in pot).
Two misdeals on the same turn = dealer loses money in pot and must re-deal.
3. Misdeal Conditions
Failure to offer a cut.
Card dealt face up when meant face down (player’s choice to continue or re-deal).
Dealer’s own card dealt face up when meant face down (automatic misdeal).
Face-up card in deck that should be dealt face down (automatic misdeal).
4. Calling Hands
Cannot change called hand after another player calls.
Under-calls may be corrected before another player calls; after that, they stand. Over-calls are corrected down to the best hand you can actually show (or a lower hand you declare).
No assistance from observers or other players — except in games requiring both high hand and another condition, where players still in the game may assist in calling the high hand.
5. No Peek Games
Peeking early costs you the hand, every dollar you put in and the right to complain for the rest of the night.
Must wait until all cards are dealt before viewing any cards.
In no peek games where certain cards require payment or folding, payment is mandatory if your last card requires it — you cannot fold instead.
If you have the winning hand showing but still have cards to flip, players still in the pot may bet to force you to flip your next card, even if they have no cards left to flip themselves.
6. Betting Order
Last person to bet or raise calls their hand first.
Exception: In games where only one person can win, that person calls first.
7. Deck Integrity
Missing cards discovered before pot is taken = hand void, money carries over.
All previous hands remain valid.
If the undealt deck runs out, shuffle the discards to form a new draw pile. Keep all live hands, community cards, kitties and marker cards out of that shuffle. During a draw, set aside that player’s current discards until their replacements have been dealt.
8. Betting Out of Turn
Money put in out of turn stays in the pot.
When turn arrives, player may add to the minimum bet or fold.
Cannot remove money or raise themselves.
9. Last Call Split
Any player still in hand at last call may force a pot split by declaring time expired and intention to leave.
Only players still in hand receive shares.
10. Additional Rules
All standard poker rules apply unless specifically modified.
Disputes are resolved by table vote. The vote is final; grumbling is allowed but doesn’t count. The results of the vote must be honored for the rest of the night. No second votes allowed on the same question.
Carryover games don’t require re-ante unless stated before first deal.
Force flips must be called before the first card is dealt.
“Pass-out” means no checking allowed.
All players must compete for the pot — no voluntary splits. The Last Call Split (rule 9) is the only exception.
11. Special Card Payment
If dealer fails to collect payment for special cards and deals the next card, the dealer pays the amount. There’s no greater joy than having the dealer pay for your wild card.
Only applies to the current betting round. If a missed payment is noticed for previous rounds, they stay uncollected.
12. Observer Interference
Non-players who provide information about hands in play pay ½ pot, shared by active players. Yes, that includes whoever is refilling the chip dip.
Players are responsible for household members and guests.