Everything you need to know before the cards fly. Tap any section to expand it.
Free to play, cash to win. There is never a buy-in or entry fee, and the winner of each tournament takes home a real cash prize put up by the host venue.
No money on the table — ever. Players never wager their own money. Placing money on the table can mean a permanent ban, and host locations that allow it are removed from the league.
Age. Players must be 18 or older. Some host venues require 21+. No exceptions.
Registration. Sign in on the registration sheet when you arrive. Late registration closes at the end of the first break. Late players start with a reduced stack (twice the current blind level removed) and don't receive bonus chips.
Phones & smoking. No phone use at the tables while hands are live — first violation is a warning. Smoking and vaping are not allowed at the tables.
Disputes. The tournament director's decision is final, even if the decision happens to be incorrect. Further disputes can be sent to the league by email.
Be present to score. Cards are dealt to absent players' stacks and folded when action arrives, but you must be present and play at least one hand to earn points.
The game. No-Limit Texas Hold'em, exclusively.
Starting stack. 18,000 chips (5 white, 5 red, 10 black, 1 green), with up to 9,000 more in bonus chips — see Chips & Points.
Blinds. Start at 100/200 and climb: 200/400, 300/600, 400/800, 500/1,000 and up. Breaks come after the 500/1,000 and 3,000/6,000 levels. The director may adjust levels or add antes (never larger than the small blind).
Table balancing. As players bust, remaining players are reseated to keep tables even. Players in the small blind move last. If three or more players are redrawn to a table, the dealer button is redrawn.
Ending the night. Play continues until one player has every chip. If the venue's time limit arrives first, the chip leader takes first place.
Raises. Before the flop, the minimum raise is double the big blind. After the flop, the minimum bet is the big blind, and a raise must at least double the previous bet.
Say it out loud. An oversized chip placed without a verbal announcement is a call. State your raise before the chip hits the felt.
All-ins & side pots. An all-in player can only win what they've matched from each opponent; extra action builds side pots. If two players bust on the same hand, the one who started the hand with more chips finishes higher.
Showdown. The last aggressor shows first. If everyone checks the river, the player left of the button shows first. Both hole cards must be shown to claim the pot.
Heads-up. The small blind takes the button, acts first before the flop, and the big blind acts first after. Chip leaders may offer a chop, with first-place points going to the leader.
Play nice. Proper poker etiquette is expected. Excessive profanity, thrown cards, yelling, verbal abuse, harassment, or demeaning language can all draw penalties.
Hands off. Never touch another player's chips or cards. First violation is a warning; second is a suspension.
Three strikes. Suspensions escalate: Strike 1 = 3 events, Strike 2 = 9 events, Strike 3 = the rest of the season plus the Tournament of Champions, with all points forfeited. Strikes fade after the following full season.
Zero tolerance. Chip dumping, cheating, collusion, or fighting means immediate suspension or expulsion.
Busted early, or arrived after late registration closed? The Second Chance table keeps you playing.
Cards rank A-K-Q-J-10 down to 2; suits are all equal. Aces play high or low in straights (A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest straight). Tied hands split the pot evenly. Full rankings below, best to worst.
Kokomo Poker League costs nothing to play and pays real cash to winners. Nobody loses a dime here — so if you can't handle losing a free game of cards, you probably shouldn't play. Everyone else? Shuffle up and deal.