Before 'acting' declare your intended action verbally. Your first verbal declaration is binding - for example if you say'call and raise' then you can actually only call. If you 'make' an action, for example place chips on the table as a bet, then that action stands irrespective of any subsequent verbal declaration or additional placing of chips. String bets are not allowed, for example if you grasp a handful of chips to place a bet but your first action is to physically 'drop' them into the betting area then, technically, the first chip or chips to 'hit the table' is considered to be your bet, irrespective of however many chips may 'fall thereafter - however, a minimum bet must always be made. So, if you do not state raise, the first chip(s) placed on the table for the bet will be assumed a call if 'under' the call amount. If over the call amount, it will be considered a raise if the minimum 'raise amount' has been placed. If the minimum raise amount has not been placed, then the player will retrieve the 'extra' chips put into the pot and the action will be for a 'call' only. Any extra chips will be returned to your stack, if appropriate.

If anyone Acts out of Turn, either verbally or physically, then that action is binding and must be taken when the play gets to that player.

TDs have the discretion to impose sanctions on ANY player at any time. Specific details cannot be given as the experience and/or knowledge will vary greatly between TDs, however it will often be the case that TDs are acting on the advice provided by dealers/players. The following are examples when sanctions may be imposed:

Deliberate or Excessive slow play (TDs decision - probably as advised by the dealer/table) - 1st time a warning, thereafter automatic fold. For persistent known offenders it would be expected that they would be forced to fold on every occasion of deliberate or excessive slow play.

It may also be appropriate for persistent offenders to have their total chips removed and they be extracted from the game.

Some Do's and Don'ts for players (which may result in sanctions be taken at the discretion of the TD):

DO act promptly and individually

Do NOT remove chips or cards from the table at any time, unless advised to do so by the TD.

Do NOT give advice to other players - all forms of colluding are strictly forbidden. We accept that for 'beginners' general advice may be given to make them aware of their options - but this does not include things like informing them of pot odds, advising them to call/fold or not etc. It can include an explanation of the strength of hands, an explanation on the best possible hand taking the community cards into consideration, what the minimum bet is etc etc.

Do NOT splash the pot with chips - when making a bet place the correct amount of chips in front of you but towards the main pot and leave them there. When all betting is complete all bets made should be clearly distinguishable and then placed into the relevant pots by the dealer - who may ask players to do it for him.

Do NOT act out of turn

Do NOT deliberately reveal the contents of a live hand to anyone

Do NOT touch cards that are mucked - whether your own or not

Do NOT use a mobile phone at the table - if you use a mobile phone you must stand up and move away from the table - however, when this action is taken your hand is to folded immediately by the dealer.

Do NOT make arrangements with other players (eg to check out a hand)

Do NOT taking action(s) or make statements that could unfairly influence the course of play.

Play continues until there is one player left who has accumulated all the chips. On occasions a time limit may need to be applied and the tournament will end with more than one player with chips. If so, the player with the most chips wins, player with 2 nd most chips is 2 nd, and so on...

Every player's hand is to be kept to themselves during play. It must not be shown to anyone, including anyone simply standing around 'watching' the game. Players may seek advice about general poker play (eg can I check? How much can I raise?) but must not ask for, nor be given, advice relevant to a particular hand that is seen in any way to be influencing them to make a decision (eg 1 would fold if I was you, you've got great pot odds etc etc).