Barrhaven Invitational Poker League - Info, Rules & Code of Conduct
(Last updated: 28-Dec-19)
The Barrhaven Invitational Poker League (BIPL) is a group of individuals who wish to play a structured game of small stakes tournament poker combined with a very social aspect. The BIPL is governed by a handful of players known as the Executive Steering Committe (ESC) and chaired by the League Director.
It has been decided to formalise our rules a little more so we have adopted the ruleset published by Tournament Directors Association as our foundation but with some "house" variations/exceptions. NOTE: We are currently using the 2017 ruleset. Updated TDA rulesets are not automatically adopted.
Let it be noted that "while we are playing for money, we aren't playing for a lot of money.
The games are expected to be sociable so players are expected to act accordingly even when their nut-flush is cracked by a one-outer on the river by a fish who had no business calling pre-flop." (Quoted from Mike "the mad statistician (ret.)" Egan)
The League Director has the final say on all matters and may choose to delegate some or all of those responsibilities from time to time.
Please note the following:
- The wearing of sunglasses or any other item to cover the eyes will NOT be allowed, unless we're playing outside and the sun is shining bright.
- The wearing of hats, hoods and/or other paraphernalia is allowed but can NOT be used in a manner that attempts to obstruct the face in a way other than which the item was originally designed! (Phil Laak was going to join us until he read this rule)
- Should any clothing be in dispute, the League Director (or delegate) will make the final decision.
- Always respect the host, their home and the other players. Examples are (but not limited to):
- "Speech play" is not tolerated if it contains any offensive commentary, rude remarks or any negative statements of any sort. (Will Kassouf is banned for life!)
- No smoking in homes that don't allow it.
- No illegal substances or activities at any time.
- When other family members are about, possibly sleeping, please be mindful of language and/or volume.
- All eliminated players are encouraged to stay and help out with dealing, re-chipping and kibitzing or start up a cash game (host & space permitting).
- League games are always No-Limit Texas Hold-em (Deep Stack) and will consist of only 1 official game per event date.
- We require a minimum of 6 players for each event however the host will determine the number of tables & maximum number players for their respective event (see main page).
- Participation for active members in regular season events will be on a "first come, first served" basis and then any open seats may be offered to other players provided they have been previously approved by the ESC. Should an event max out, a waiting list may be established, again, with active players having priority.
- Regardless of the above, the ESC always has a reserved seat to play in any league game.
- A standard blind schedule has been set-up (click on the Blind Structure link on the main page for more info). This structure is to be followed unless otherwise specified & made known in advance.
- The buy-in/re-buy/top-up for each regular season event is $20.
- Starting & re-buy stacks are $12K.
- Until the end of the re-buy period (see the Blind Structure), each player is allowed 1 re-buy per game but it must be exercised immediately after busting out (must not miss a hand). Each player will be given some sort of token/chip with their starting stack which represents their re-buy opportunity.
- Any player who was expected to be present by the first deal but hasn't arrived by the end of the first blind level will have their chips removed from play. Said player is still permitted to play after that but will be subject to the Late Registration rule (below).
- Pre-arranged late arrival is permitted but the estimated arrival must be no later than the end of the third level (approx 1 hr). It is requested that such an arrangement be made with the host at least 60 mins prior to game time and is only valid if directly acknowledged by the host or ESC member.
- Should a player not have required the use of their re-buy token by the end of the re-buy period, the player has the option to exchange it for a bonus or turn it in & pay for a top-up to a normal starting stack.
- The Big Blind drives position so no player can skip a big blind. That means that it is possible for the button and/or the small blind in the next hand to be empty until the button passes those empty positions ("dead chair" rule).
- Please refrain from splashing the pot. Just place your bet in front of you in a clear and controlled fashion.
- There is no going through the discard pile to find your cards to show them for any reason unless it is to prove a misdeal should be declared.
- If you win a hand uncontested but choose to show 1 or both your hole cards to any player at the table, you must show the exposed card(s) to everyone playing at your table.
- When you are dealing the upcoming hand and also won the previous hand, please make it a point to deal first then stack your chips after. If you're fortunate enough to have won a large pot, feel free to ask a neighbour to collect/stack the chips for you.
- Payouts will be directly dependant on the total number of buy-ins and re-buys using a standard math formula but may be rounded as needed for simplicity & balance.
- Most importantly, there is no rake! All money in = all money out!
Follow this link for the Tournament Payouts list that will be used in all BIPL tournaments.
- Points are earned by every player who plays a regular season event. These points will be awarded based on the reverse order of finish and reduced by 25% if the player exercised their option to re-buy or top-up.
First place will initially be allotted the same number of points as the number of players in the event with each spot lower getting 1 point less (with all points subject to the adjustment).
E.g. If 12 players, the players finishing in the following order would get:
- 12 points
- 11 pts
- 10 pts
- 9 pts
- 8 pts
- 7 pts
- etc...
- The points accumulated during the regular season will result in bonuses for the Final - Main Event!
- Each host will record who played at their event, who re-bought, the order in which everyone finished, and the payouts.
- The League Director will compile the results and publish the master record (click on the Current Season Stats File link on the menu above).
- Any rule may be introduced/changed/eliminated at any time & for any reason by the League Director.
Despite what you may have seen in Rounders, another fictional game, any real televised event, or at ANY "real" casino, our base rule set is actually the one published by the TDA with some exceptions/alterations.
Click here to browse the TDA rule set.
Please go to the 2017 Poker TDA Rules link.
We have NOT adopted the 2019 Poker TDA rules for BIPL.
The following are either exceptions or clarifications to the above rule set:
All decisions and authorities residing with the dealer are hereby given to the Table Captain, ESC member, and League Director (ascending order).
When it's your turn to deal, please do so immediately (please do not spend deal time stacking chips if you just won the previous hand).
Cutting after shuffling & prior to dealing is mandatory. The dealer must get a person to their right to cut. NOTE: That person may not just tap the stub, leaving it uncut.
#7A - Alternates are not permitted.
- Re-entries must be declared immediately (must not miss a hand) and the player keeps the same seat. The only other option is to withdraw permanently from the event.
- Late Registration: If, after an event has started, you are suddenly able to attend but had not notified the host, you may buy-in late but only until the end of the re-buy period & provided there is an open chair.
The catch: you must pay both the buy-in & re-buy immediately upon arrival but you will only be given a single standard starting stack. The other stack (the re-buy) will be dispersed equally among the players at your table with any leftovers put in the center for the next pot.
#7B - Forfeiting of stacks is only permitted at the beginning of the first break (Top-up option).
#10A - If required, tables will be balanced by position as dictated by last to leave the short table.
#11 - The number of players at the physical final table will still be determined by the host but will be no less than 7 and no more than 9. For the purpose of our stats, final table is always top 8 regardless of the actual count.
#24 - At a colour-up, odd chips are rounded up in favour of the player (no race).
#26 - Players may request a deck change however it is subject to approval by the host.
#30 - Players that are not at their seat when the action is on them, may be granted a very short grace period (to be determined by the Table Captain or any ESC member).
#32 - The same applies to the small blind as well ("dead small").
#40 - If the action or spoken amount uttered is not permitted, the player is allowed to re-state their intention. Again, it is always better to state your intended action first (call or raise) and then work out the actual value.
#56 - It is the responsibility of all players to point out string bets/raises (verbal or physical), however, please do so in a friendly manner!
A "string bet" is defined as using more than 1 action (verbal or non-verbal) to indicate a betting action. All bets are to be made in 1 motion or by a single spoken word (e.g. "Call" or "Raise").
Example: "I'll call your bet & raise you $X" = CALL only. The raise, in this example, is deemed to be invalid.
The same applies to "angle shooting" which is defined as using a false or misleading motion to try to catch a read of some sort from another player in the hand. Although usually more unintentional in nature at our events, this type of motion is still not permitted.
Example: Carrying a stack forward, dropping a portion of them, and then pulling some back would qualify as angle shooting. Should this occur, the bet would be the greater of a min-raise or all the chips moved forward.
#57 - Example: drumming/tapping/wrapping your finger(s)/hand(s) on the table or in any other obvious fashion may be deemed a check - despite the fact that Claude was just "thinking"!
#61 - If a player is asked for an exact count of their chip stack, they must oblige, however, if they are not comfortable doing so, they may enlist the assistance of any other willing player not currently in the hand.
- The F-ME will be very similar to a regular season game in that all the official rules still apply but there will likely be some minor format changes. (e.g. blind times could be longer)
- Who will be invited/allowed to play may be controlled/limited. NOTABLE EXCEPTIONS: The ESC & all former League Directors have a reserved seat to play in the F-ME with most of the remaining seats to be awarded based on the point standings of the regular season.
- Any remaining seats may be filled via a satellite game and/or other method (TBD annually by the ESC).
- The max cost for the initial buy-in to the F-ME will be $40 & $20 for the re-buy but if altered will be announced prior to the event.
- The starting stack for the F-ME is $15K + a bonus based on each player's regular season points.
- Re-buy stacks will be $15K (no bonuses) except for the players who finish the regular season atop our points leaderboard who will have the following additional bonuses:
- 1st place: Double value for the re-buy chip if not used or their full bonus again should they re-buy.
- 2nd place: Gets half the bonus of 1st.
- NOTE: The ESC reserves the right to allot additional bonuses and will announce them prior to the F-ME. E.g. 3rd or 3rd & 4th may be granted the button(s).
Optional 2nd Chance Tourney
- If you have any questions/concerns/suggestions, please make them known to the League Director or any ESC member via direct email.
Hope to see you soon 'round the table(s)!
