The Unknown Rules Of Poker #2: Declaring A Misdeal
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Loading ...Again, I’m taking a look at rules of poker which I hear arguments arise concerning. A situation which can really mess up the game are misdeals. Most people havent the slightest clue as to what to do when a mistake in dealing occurs, so they usually just gather up the cards at the slightest mistake. I’d suggest reading the section on misdeals in the poker rulebook. Usually, you can get around a mistake in dealing with no harm done by just redealing the cards (sometimes you wont even have to do that). A misdeal in itself is not a big deal… sort of like pressing a reset button. But what happens in situations where money has already been put in the pot? Most home games I’ve been a part of still try to declare the hand a misdeal. But as we will soon learn, there are situations which cannot be declared a misdeal, and the hand cannot simply be redealt.
The Argument
An error is found in the dealing of the cards, and player(s) want a misdeal to be declared.
The Rule
If a mistake has been found in the deal, the hand may be declared a misdeal– so long as 2 or more players have not acted in the hand. Once there is “action”, no misdeal can be declared. One or more player’s hands might be declared dead, however. For example: say a player discovers that they actually have been dealt 3 cards; and they discover this after the river, after they have put money into the pot. It is an unfortunate and seemingly unjust circumstance, but this player’s hand can no longer win, and furthermore they wont get their chips back either.
Reference
section 3.1.4.2: In button games, action is considered to occur when two players after the blinds have acted on their hands. Once action occurs, a misdeal can no longer be declared. The hand will be played to conclusion and no money will be returned to any player whose hand is fouled.
Reasons
Declaring a misdeal would be unfair to the player who may have already won the hand. Not to mention the complicated task of dividing the chips back up (if thats even possible without a video recording). It’s each player’s responsibility to ensure they have a valid hand, and speak up immediately if they notice they dont.
