Tournament rules
JOPT has established a set of official rules that take precedence, and all other matters are supplemented by the Poker TDA Rules. To ensure a fair and smooth poker tournament, players are also expected to fully understand and comply with these rules.
1. Floor Staff
The term “Floor” refers to Tournament Directors, Floor Leaders, Floor Staff, and Sub-Floor Staff. The Tournament Director has the authority to override decisions made by other Floor personnel. At the discretion of the Floor, tournament details may be changed without prior notice.
2. Official Languages
The official languages are Japanese and English.
3. Player Identification and Age Verification
Tournament staff may request players to present identification through the membership app or a valid ID for verification purposes, and players are required to comply.
If it is discovered or determined that the person who entered the tournament is different from the person actually playing, the player may be disqualified, lose eligibility, or have their player contract revoked.
4. Restrictions on Electronic Devices and Communication
At tables where live streaming is taking place, the use of devices, earphones, and headphones is prohibited.
At other tables, phone calls and the use of devices while holding a hand are restricted.
The use of poker strategy tools such as GTO solvers during tournament participation is strictly prohibited.
5. Clothing Restrictions
Wearing clothing that displays visible tactical poker information, such as hand range charts or strategy guides, is prohibited.
6. Etiquette Violations
Smoking or using electronic cigarettes outside designated smoking areas, speaking loudly, or engaging in behavior that causes discomfort to others will be considered etiquette violations.
7. Start of Tournament Play
A table must not begin play until at least three stacks of chips are present.
8. Entry Cancellation
It is the player’s responsibility to confirm that the tournament they are entering is the one they intend to play.
Once a player has started playing in a tournament that is not their intended choice, they may not cancel their entry.
Players must be seated before the registration deadline. Entries for players not yet seated by that time will be canceled. Additionally, if a registered player fails to take their seat within a certain period after registration closes, their entry will also be canceled.
9. Entry Limits and Chip Surrender
Players may enter each tournament (or flight) up to four times in total (3 re-entry cap system). However, this restriction does not apply to satellite (qualifier) tournaments.
Players may choose to surrender their chips by notifying the Floor. Surrendered chips will be announced by the Floor.
10. Seating
Players who are assigned a seat must sit down immediately.
New players and those moved due to table breaks may be seated between the Small Blind (SB) and Button (BTN). In such cases, those players may not participate in the current hand.
Modification to TDA Rule 8-A.
11. Showdown: Show Cards and Killing Hands
During a live hand and at showdown, cards must be kept within reach of the player until the pot is correctly awarded.
If an active player’s hand is mistakenly killed, the Floor must be called.
12. Showdown Order
In a non-all-in showdown, if players do not naturally reveal their hands, the dealer will designate the reveal order according to the TDA rules.
Modification to TDA Rule 17-A.
13. Color-Up Procedure
During color-up, no chip race will be conducted. Instead, all odd chips will be rounded up for each player.
14. Rebuys
Rebuys are not allowed unless the player has physically left their seat.
15. Calling the Clock
When a player requests the clock, the Floor will be summoned.
Whether the clock request is approved and how much time is allowed for action is at the Floor’s discretion.
16. Special Formats like Tag Teams
In special tournaments such as Tag Teams, where hand content may be shared within a team, the team is considered as one player.
Conversations, discussions, and advice within the team must be conducted so that other players cannot overhear them.
17. All-In Button
One all-in button is assigned per table and managed by the dealer.
When a player goes all-in, the button is placed above the area where the community cards are dealt.
The dealer will instruct the all-in player to push their chips forward, and the player must comply.
Modification to TDA Recommended Procedure-1.
18. No Bringing In
Dealers are prohibited from handling “bring-in” requests and will not respond even if asked.
19. Ante Structure
When a single-player ante is used, the Big Blind Ante (BBA) format is adopted.
If the Big Blind player does not have enough chips to cover both the ante and the big blind, the big blind takes priority, and the remaining chips are applied toward the ante.
Update at 2024.11.28
Poker TDA Rules
Poker TDA is a voluntary organization in the poker industry, established in 2001. Its mission is to promote global uniformity in poker tournament rules.
The Poker TDA Rules serve to supplement house rules. In the event of a conflict between TDA Rules and house rules, the house rules shall take precedence.
Notice
By participating in JOPT, you are deemed to have agreed to the following terms and conditions.
Those who do not agree will not be permitted to participate.
- Participants must agree to the disclosure of their real name.
If a participant requests to use a nickname, it will be used to the extent possible.
However, in cases where a post, such as a social media thread, has already been made and cannot be edited, the participant shall not raise any objection even if the nickname is not used. - Participants agree to the use of still images and videos solely for purposes related to the tournament and its sponsors, and shall not raise any objection regarding portrait rights or related matters.
- Participants shall be solely responsible for any accidents, injuries, or illnesses that occur during JOPT, and JOPT shall bear no liability whatsoever.
Those who have been diagnosed with an infectious disease (such as influenza) by a medical professional are not permitted to participate.
If JOPT determines that a participant may pose a risk or disturbance to other players, it may unilaterally instruct the participant to suspend play or leave the venue, and no objections shall be raised to such decisions. - Participants are responsible for the management of their own valuables, and JOPT shall bear no responsibility whatsoever.
Lost items recovered at JOPT will be reported and handed over to the nearest police station after the event concludes. - If any misconduct or cheating is discovered, the results of the relevant game may be rendered entirely invalid.
In addition, the player or business involved may be permanently banned from participating in or affiliating with any future events, and no objections shall be raised to such measures. - In principle, participation by individuals under the age of 18 is prohibited.
Accompanying individuals under the age of 18 to the event is prohibited.
- We reserve the right to modify the terms and conditions without prior notice if deemed necessary.
We are committed to eliminating any association with antisocial forces in all of our activities.
Participation in or use of this event will be strictly denied to anyone who falls under any of the following categories:Individuals who are members of organized crime groups, quasi-members, affiliated companies, or otherwise connected to antisocial forces
Individuals who provide funding or favors to antisocial forces, or are directly or indirectly involved with them
Individuals who attempt to gain unfair advantage through the use of antisocial forces
Individuals who engage in behavior that is against public order and morals, or who disrupt the order of this event
- Entry with pets is strictly prohibited, regardless of the type of animal.
However, assistance dogs such as service dogs, guide dogs, and hearing dogs are exempt from this rule. - Bringing outside food and beverages into the venue is prohibited.
However, items purchased using drink tickets are exempt from this rule.
Any unauthorized items found will be confiscated and disposed of.
Player Selection (Qualifiers)
- Qualifiers are conducted by affiliated operators and are used to select players for participation in the Main Event or other related events based on competition results.
JOPT recognizes players selected by affiliated operators as eligible participants in the Main Event and related tournaments.
However, if there is suspicion of misconduct or illegality in the selection process, JOPT reserves the right to deny participation, and no objections will be accepted regarding such decisions. - The entry fee paid by players is treated as a deposit to cover expenses related to the tournament, such as venue fees and staffing costs.
Prizes (player contracts) are not funded from this entry fee. - If the Main Event or other tournaments are canceled, JOPT will make efforts to reschedule and hold the event under the same conditions as much as possible.
In such cases, JOPT shall not be liable for any compensation beyond the amount of the entry fee already paid.
Players and affiliated operators shall not make any claims for damages. - In the event that a tournament is delayed or rendered impossible due to natural disasters, war, riots, civil unrest, strikes, labor disputes, or other acts of force majeure, we shall bear no responsibility whatsoever.
Prohibited Matters
The following actions are prohibited as they may affect the fairness of the competition.
At the discretion of the Floor, penalties such as disqualification may be imposed.
- Collusion, including but not limited to chip dumping and information sharing through communication devices, is strictly prohibited.
- Cheating, including but not limited to angle shooting, the use of Real-Time Assistance (RTA), and marking cards, is strictly prohibited.
- Revealing or communicating the contents of one’s hand during a game is strictly prohibited.
- Soft play (intentionally playing less aggressively) and receiving advice during the game are strictly prohibited.
- Actions that hinder the smooth progress of the game, such as intentionally delaying decisions, are strictly prohibited.
- Acting out of turn (OOT) is strictly prohibited.
- Acting out of turn (OOT) is strictly prohibited.
- Etiquette violations, such as smoking or using electronic cigarettes in prohibited areas, speaking loudly, or engaging in excessive conversation, are strictly prohibited.