Bring cash to the game. Your initial buy-in is made in cash. Re-buys also require cash - so bring enough. The house doesn't offer credit. Only the chips in front of a player at the start of a hand may play for that hand (re-buy between hands). Zak is the only one allowed to sell chips.
No Fee / Stake:
This is a friendly game. This is not a casino. The house doesn't take a fee, or stake.
BYOB:
We will be mixing drinks. We will probably offer you a cocktail. But this isn't a bar. Bring your own booze. Bring a bottle for the cellar. Tip the bartender (Grahame).
Don't Drink and Drive:
Figure out how you're gonna get home before you get blasted. We don't need any more Kevin-like incidents on the lake.
Dealers Choice:
The dealer button moves 1 seat clockwise after every game. The new dealer declares the new game. If requested, they must explain the game. Games that favour a position require a full-round (eg. texas hold-em) where a second dealer button gets added and travels the table until the round is over. If its your turn, and you don't know what to call, just ask the table. Feel free to not-ante if you don't understand the game.
5 of a kind:
In wild card games 5 of a kind is possible, 5 aces being the absolute best hand obtainable.
Suit Ranking:
The ranking of suits from highest to lowest is spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs. Suits never break a tie for winning a pot.
Betting Limits:
By default every game is pot-limit (the maximum bet is the amount already in the pot). Dealers can call no-limit games. Unlimited raising allowed. Check-raising allowed. Wagers must be at least the size of the previous bet or raise in that round, unless a player is going all-in.
Card Limits:
By default, in games where there are not enough cards for every participating player, 1 player must be eliminated each betting round. In practice this means the last player to check, must instead bet or fold.
Communication:
You must verbally declare your action: If you ante, say "ante". If you call, say "call". If you bet or raise, say "bet". If you fold, say "fold". Never say "I call your bet and ...". Only move chips or cards after the declaration. If you don't say your action and the table gets confused, you're out.
Out of Turn Play:
There is no official penalty for acting out of turn. If you miss your turn its a fold. If you go to the washroom say something first. If you fuck up the vibe, we might ask you to leave.
Chip Handling:
All chips must be visible on the table at all times. Don't touch anyone else's chips. Don't splash the pot.
Dealer Error:
Declare a misdeal before action. Or kill the exposed card.
Revealing Cards:
By default player hands, the discard pile, and deck are to remain secret during and at the end of a game. Players may reveal their cards to all opponents, or any non-opponent, if they choose. Shared cards may only be revealed if all players in the hand allow.
Shuffling:
There are 2 decks. The current dealer deals with the active deck, cutting it to start. The previous dealer shuffles their old deck during play, and gives it to the future dealer at game end.
Splitting & Insurance:
Splitting pots by agreement is not allowed. Insurance propositions are not allowed.
Cheating
A player suspected of cheating, shuffling poorly, purposefully misdealing, colluding, marking, or any other un-fun behaviour will have their chips forfeit, and be asked to leave, banned from future games.
Dispute Resolution:
Zak gets the final say in any dispute, even when he's in the hand. His decision is final.