New rules set for 2010 WSOP

In the past few days a few changes have been made to the rules concerning electronic devices and social media as they pertain to the 2010 World Series of Poker. Among the changes are rules concerning Twitter and cell phone use.

No cell phones can be used at the table as the new rule states “All cell phones and other voice-enabled and ‘ringing’ electronic devices must be turned off during tournament play”. You must now be one table length away from your own table use a phone. As far as non-voice communication goes, the new WSOP rules mandate “Players not involved in a hand (cards in muck) shall be permitted to text/email at the table, but shall not be permitted to text/email any other player at the table”. Any player who violates the WSOP Cell phone policy may to subject to disqualification from the tournament. Ipods, mp3 players and noise-reduction headphones are approved devices and may be used at any time during the poker tournament.

Some online poker players have questioned the WSOP’s policy towards “no shows,” or players who fail to turn up before the start of the third level of play. The rules explain, “These players will have their chips removed from play and will not be eligible to participate in that event. The buy-ins for ‘no shows’ will be removed from the prize pool and placed on safekeeping in that player’s name at the main WSOP registration cage after the second level of play.” Whether the no show policy will affect players like UB.com pro Phil Hellmuth who is notorious for arriving late to poker tournaments, is not clear.

The same tracking system for penalties that was introduced last year will remain in full effect in 2010. During the entire duration of the 2009 WSOP, a total of 186 penalties were logged, stemming from infractions that included exposing hands, acting out of turn, removing chips from the table, abusive language, excessive celebration, soft play, improper cell phone usage, throwing cards, dealer abuse, and discussing the content of a hand. The 186 penalties meant an average of 3.72 per day and the most common punishment handed down was a one-orbit suspension.

As far as the logo policy goes, Harrah’s will not be changing it. Logos will not be permitted for anything that the Rio finds unethical, or paraphernalia that promotes tobacco, drugs, lotteries, handguns, illegal gambling, profanity, references to ‘internal bodily functions’, pornography, intellectual copyright infringement, libel or ‘any online gaming site that conducts business with US residents’. Last year, many players promoted educational sites instead of gambling sites.

The 2010 WSOP starts on May 28th at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas. View the full 2010 WSOP schedule

News Added: 19 January, 2010

Number of views : 747