WSOP rules revealed

05.17.2007 | 11:44 am | casinos

In the run-up to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, this year’s rules have been posted online, to much debate in the gaming world.

Some of the key rules for this year’s event include a zero-tolerance attitude towards aggressive swearing - in particular the use of the F or C-word.

Interestingly, shouting f***! will not land you in trouble if you are dissatisfied with your hand, but only if a player directs such language at another person will they be penalised.

Penalties will also be incurred for etiquette violations, such as “touching another player’s cards or chips, delay of game and excessive chatter” - possibly the first time the game has been subject to such stringent rules.

Also, perhaps in an attempt to enforce polite courtesy rather than as a defence against cheating, the WSOP has decreed that any player using a mobile phone when his or her hand is dealt will receive a dead hand.

It will be interesting to see the atmosphere in 2007’s Main Event with the WSOP cracking down on minor and etiquette violations, despite deciding not to penalise last year’s winner, James Gold, after he admitted showing an opponent a hole card, as well as announcing he held top pair and top kicker after the opponent had bet.