Tournament Structure

The following parameters apply to all River Street Poker events:

1.  A qualified Tournament Director (TD) presides over all RSP tournaments to enforce Rules and facilitate tournament progression.  A TD’s decision when required in instances of rule ambiguity is final.

2.  Prior to playing in his or her first tournament, new league member are required to complete and sign an RSP player agreement.

3.  Players must be 18 years of age or older to participate in RSP events.  Players under age 21 are not allowed to participate in tournaments held in “21 and over” hosting venues.  Any underage player discovered to be playing in a “21 and over” hosting venue will be disqualified and any prizes won or qualifications into monthly tournaments will be revoked.

4.  All players are required to “sign-in” with the TD prior to every tournament, including both tournaments in back-to-back daily events.

5.  Table seating at monthly and yearly RSP events will be assigned.  The TD may assign seats at any daily tournament.

6.  A maximum of 8 players may play at a table unless otherwise determined by the TD.

7.  Players will begin all daily tournaments with 10,000 in chips, excluding “chip-up” incentive chips.  RSP will determine precise starting chips stacks for monthly and yearly events.

8.  The blind structure for RSP daily tournaments are as follows.  Monthly tournaments operate on a slightly different schedule with antes after the first break.

9.  Antes are assessed in monthly tournaments only and eliminated during heads-up play.

10.  Coloring-up of chips is done at the TD’s discretion and can occur during play and/or breaks.  A player is not required to be present while his chips are being colored up by the TD.

11.  Late-arriving players who sign-in prior to the end of the 1st blind level will not be penalized.  Players who sign-in between the 2nd and 4th blind level will receive normal starting chip stacks less 3x the current big blind.  A player entering the tournament during the first break will receive $7,000 (starting stack less 3x the big blind) but no other chip-ups (food & drink, VIPP player, donation or RSP Card Protector) will be given.  Anyone arriving after the break will not be permitted to play in that tournament.

12.  Prior to the beginning of play and prior to the first hand of a final table, players will “draw for deal” from a deck of cards spread face down on the table.  In case of ties, the suit will determine the dealer as determined by this order:  spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.

13.  Any player may volunteer to be the permanent dealer at his or her table.  Priority will be given to a player who has passed the RSP Dealer Test.  If the permanent dealer is knocked out of the tournament, any remaining player may volunteer to deal.  In instances where no player volunteers to deal, all players will assume the responsibility of the dealer as the button reaches his or her seat.

14.  Tables will play with two decks of cards.  Prior to each new hand, whoever is in the small blind will shuffle.  This applies to tables with a permanent dealer and without. At tables using a permanent dealer, the permanent dealer will self-cut the cards prior to the deal. At tables without a permanent dealer, the actual dealer will self-cut.

15.  The TD, only, may assist a beginning player with hand strategy.  Any league members, but preferably the dealer, may assist a beginning player with proper hand procedure (i.e. posting correct blinds, “burning” cards prior to streets, minimum raise requirements, etc.)

16.  Deals between players at the final table regarding the division of prizes are permissible provided that all remaining players are in agreement and the actual prize division is feasible.

17.  A consolation table may be set up at the request of the TD for players knocked out of the first tournament at a venue where “back-to-back” tournaments are being held.  A minimum of 5 players and a maximum of 8 may play at the consolation table.