Technical Rules & Etiquette
Hand-for-hand, breaking tables, and racing off chips.
Tournaments have specific logistical rules you won't find in cash games.
Hand-for-Hand Play
When getting close to the Bubble or Final Table, the director will pause action. Every table must wait for all other tables to finish their current hand before dealing the next one. This prevents stalling to sneak into the money.
Breaking Tables & Balancing
As players bust, tables proceed with empty seats. The staff will move players to "balance" tables (e.g., all tables have 8 players). Eventually, tables "break" entirely, and players are scattered to empty seats elsewhere.
Racing Off (Color Up)
When low-value chips (like $25 chips) are no longer needed because blinds are high ($1000/$2000), they are removed. Odd chips are "raced off" where players get a card, and high card gets the consolidated higher-value chip.
Key Takeaways
- • Do not act out of turn during Hand-for-Hand.
- • Expect to move seats frequently.
- • Protect your cards while moving tables.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- • Asking 'Why are we waiting?' during hand-for-hand.
- • Taking chips off the table (illegal) or putting them in your pocket during a move.
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding to complete this lesson.