All tournaments are subject to The Poker Factory Rulebook.

The Poker Factory Rulebook is based on the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) Rules, with additional changes and venue-specific requirements made to reflect Western Australian legislation, permit conditions, and The Poker Factory’s operational procedures.

By entering a tournament, all players agree to follow The Poker Factory Rulebook, the instructions of the Tournament Director, and any additional conditions announced before or during the event.

Zero Tolerance Policy

The Poker Factory has a zero tolerance policy for abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, aggressive behaviour, or disrespectful conduct of any kind.

This applies to behaviour towards dealers, staff, players, Tournament Directors, supporting venues, supporting charities, and any other person involved in the event.

The Poker Factory will support and back its dealers, staff, supporting venues, and supporting charities in all matters involving abuse, misconduct, or unacceptable behaviour.

Any player who breaches this policy may receive a warning, penalty, removal from the tournament, refusal of entry to future events, or any other action deemed appropriate by The Poker Factory management.

Tournament Director and Rulings

Every tournament will have an allocated Tournament Director who is responsible for making rulings throughout the event.

Dealers are required to call the Tournament Director over in every instance where a ruling is required.

Players cannot dictate, decide, or influence a ruling. Only the allocated Tournament Director for that event has the authority to make an official ruling.

The Tournament Director’s decision is final.

English Only at the Table

English must be spoken at the table while hands are in progress.

This rule is in place to protect the integrity of the game and ensure all players, dealers, and staff can understand table conversation during play.

Mobile Phone Use During Hands

Players may use their phones during a hand for passive activities, such as watching content or checking information unrelated to the hand.

However, players are not permitted to send messages, receive or make phone calls, discuss the hand, or communicate with another person while involved in a live hand.

Any phone use that is deemed to affect game integrity, slow the game, or create suspicion of unfair play may result in a warning, penalty, or the player’s hand being ruled dead at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Players are also not permitted to use poker assistance tools, poker training apps, GTO solvers, range charts, equity calculators, hand analysis software, strategy websites, or any other poker-related information or assistance while involved in a live hand.

Shot Clock and Time Banks

All tournaments will use a 20-second shot clock.

Each player will receive four additional time banks, with each time bank giving the player an extra 20 seconds to act.

Players who reach the Final Table will receive an additional two time banks.

The above information is subject to change based on the tournament structure, unless otherwise stated.

A shot clock will be visible at every table. Dealers will not count down the full clock. The dealer will notify the player when they have reached five seconds remaining.

If a player does not act within their allocated 20 seconds, one time bank will automatically be used if the player has time banks remaining.

The dealer will announce when a time bank has been used. Once the dealer has announced that a time bank has been used, the player must surrender that time bank to the dealer, even if the player acts shortly after the announcement.

No action will be forced while a player still has available time banks.

If a player is facing a bet and has no remaining time banks, their hand will be declared dead once the dealer announces that the hand is dead.

If a player is not facing a bet and has no remaining time banks, their hand will be automatically checked once the dealer announces that the hand is checked.

Blind Structures

Blind structures will be adjusted based on the number of entries received during the event.

The Poker Factory will use a structure guide based on player entries, tournament size, available playing time, and event requirements.

The Poker Factory believes that a fair and suitable structure cannot always be finalised until the expected number of players is known. As more event data is collected over time, structures may continue to be reviewed and adjusted to provide the best possible tournament experience.

Any structure changes will be made at the discretion of The Poker Factory management.

Big Blind Ante

All tournaments will use a Big Blind Ante format, unless otherwise stated in the tournament structure or event conditions.

The Big Blind Ante will be posted by the player in the big blind and will be included as part of the tournament structure.

The Big Blind Ante is in play at all times, regardless of the number of players at the table, including heads-up play.

Showdown and All-In Situations

In all-in situations, all live hands must be shown at showdown once action is complete.

If there is no aggressor on the final street, the player who is first to act must show their hand first, followed by the remaining players in order.

Tournament Time Limit and ICM Chip Count

All players who enter a tournament agree that if the tournament reaches the end of its approved playing time, the remaining prize pool may be awarded by an ICM chip count.

The ICM calculation will be based on the official ICMizer platform, using the chip counts of all remaining players at the time the tournament is stopped.

If a player is unsure what an ICM chip count means, the Tournament Director will explain the process before the calculation is completed.

The Tournament Director’s decision on the final chip counts, remaining players, and ICM payout process is final.