WSOP Dealing Procedures Quiz Section 1

Dealing Procedures in Tournaments and Live Action

• When starting a new game or receiving a new setup, verify the front and back of both decks.
• Exchange decks smoothly, and always keep only two decks on the table.

Raising and Bets

• Announce "RAISE" when a player raises, and direct action to the next player.
• Clear betting perimeter only when requested by the pending player.

Blind Checks

• A "BLIND CHECK" is allowed in tournament play from the first player to act.
• Example scenarios for "CHECK in the DARK" are provided.

One Dealer per Table

• During breaks, only one dealer should be at the table.
• Do not sit in a player's chair behind a stack of chips.

Directing Action

• Direct "ACTION" not "BETS".
• Announce the action and the player's position at the table.

Accurate Chip Count

• Players are entitled to a reasonable estimate of an opponent's chip stack.
• Request a precise count if facing an All-In bet.

Stacking Chips and Split Pots

• In split pots, the first half is awarded to the high hand winner(s), and the second half to the low hand winner(s).
• Divide the pot "CLEAN" by not stacking denominations on top of each other.

Deck Introduction and Resetting

• New decks: spread face up, face down, and scramble (wash) them.
• Verify the completeness and consistency of each deck.
• Reset both decks during player breaks to verify all 52 cards are present.

Counting the Deck Stub

• Count the deck stub after the first hand dealt on each table.
• Complete the count after the final card has been delivered.

Missed Blinds in Tournaments

• There are no missed blinds in tournaments.
• Post the blind from the absent player's chips and bring it into the pot when the hand is mucked.

Showdown

• Read all hands exposed at showdown out loud to the table.
• Do not turn a player's cards face up for them.
• Start reading hands from the player who last took aggressive action.

Dealer Instructions to Players

• Give clear, concise directions to players.
• Use standard terminology and avoid slang.

Stacking and Splitting Pots

• Follow the procedures to stack and split pots cleanly and clearly.
• Divide the pot into separate stacks, and award the high and low hands accordingly.

Odd Chips

• In stud games, the odd chip goes to the highest card by rank and suit.
• In flop games, the odd chip goes to the high hand in a split between high and low hands.

Change and Tokens

• Make change from bets on the table during collection.
• Tournament tokens are shared among dealers, clerks, and cashiers.

Official Language and Terminology

• The official language of the World Series of Poker is English.
• Use standard terminology for official tournament poker: bet, call, fold, check, all-in, pot (in pot-limit only), and complete.### Dealer Procedures
• Dealers should not hold up the game or table action while counting down the deck, except when introducing a new deck.
• If the dealer counts less than 52 cards, they should not inform the players and instead switch decks and call the Floor.

Shuffling

• The WSOP shuffling procedure is "Shuffle – Shuffle – Box – Shuffle" (S.S.B.S) and then "RELEASE the DECK".
• Over-shuffling or under-shuffling is not permitted.
• If a card is exposed or lost during shuffling, the deck should be washed quickly and shuffled again.

Cutting the Deck

• After shuffling, the dealer should release the deck and place the cut card on the table in front of the deck.
• The dealer should collect antes, if applicable, using a system to avoid missing any.
• The deck should be cut with one hand, squared using a corner pinch, and then released.
• The dealer's free hand should not block any player's view of the deck.

Handling the Deck

• The deck should be held parallel to the table at all times, never rolled sideways or upside down.
• The top of the deck should never be obscured from the players' view.
• The dealer should not cap or palm the deck.

Burning Cards

• Before burning a card, the dealer should lightly tap the table to signal the end of the previous round.
• Burn cards should be dropped straight down onto the table, then pushed under the chips at the bottom of the pot.
• Burn cards should never be left unprotected on the table and should always be covered with a chip.
• Burn cards should remain on the table until the pot is pushed to the winner(s).

The Muck

• When a player folds, the dealer should immediately muck the player's cards.
• The mucked hand should not be lifted from the table surface or stacked.
• The cards should be slid and integrated into the muck, making them non-retrievable.
• The muck should be placed near the top left corner of the table bank and protected by the dealer's left hand whenever possible.

Dropping the Stub

• The dealer should drop the deck immediately after dealing the last card.
• The dealer should turn the cards face up and read for specific games (e.g., Stud Hi/Lo 8 or Better, Razz).

Anticipation

• Anticipation is a practice game to read the board and hands exposed at showdown in games like Omaha Hi/Low 8 or Better.
• The game involves shuffling up a deck, putting out a three-card flop, and anticipating the best high and low hands.
• The game continues by adding turn and river cards, anticipating the best high and low hands, and replacing cards with the top card on the deck.

Table Protocol

• Dealers should check their status with the Dealer Coordinator before leaving for the day.
• Dealers should not assume their shift is over after 8 hours and clock out without approval from the Dealer Coordinator.
• Abandoning a shift without approval is considered an infraction of the Employee Manual.