Duplicate Poker

How it works

Duplicate Poker involves play of Pot Limit and No Limit Texas Hold'em under the general rules governing that game with four exceptions.

• First, there are always two or more tables of players, with the same number of players seated at each table.
• Second, an identically shuffled deck of cards is used at each table for each hand played so that players in the same seat position at each table receive the same hole cards and the common cards are the same at each table.
• Third, every player begins each hand with the ability to bet the same number of playing chips, regardless of how well or poorly he/she may have done in any previous hand. This is achieved using a capped betting system, which gives each player a maximum number of chips to bet on each hand played.
• Fourth, the winner of each hand is determined based on the number of chips he or she has at the end of the game as compared with those held by all players in the same seat at the other tables.

Determining winners by comparing the results achieved by the players playing identical hands eliminates the luck of the draw element normally associated with poker so that skill is what determines who wins, not whether you got good cards or bad cards. Every hand can win if it is well played.
Duplicate Poker Rules

Introduction

Duplicate Poker involves play of pot limit and no limit Texas hold'em under the general rules governing that game, except each deal is duplicated at the table in play, enabling players at other tables to play the same hands under the same conditions. Here are the main characteristics of duplicate poker:

1. First, there are always two or more tables of players, with the same number of players seated at each table.
2. Second, an identically ordered deck of cards is used at each table for each deal, so that players in the same seat position at each table receive the same hole cards, and the board cards are the same at each table.
3. Third, every player begins each deal with the ability to bet the same number of playing chips, regardless of how he or she may have done in any previous deal. This is achieved using a capped betting system which allows each player to bet only the pre-determined maximum number of chips on each hand played.
4. Fourth, the player's score for each deal is based on the net number of chips he or she has at the end of that deal as compared with the number of chips the player had at the start of that deal.
5. Fifth, the player's score for a session (set series of deals) is whatever the net plus or minus result is for that player on all of the deals played in that session.
6. Sixth, a player's outcome for a session is determined by that player's ranking compared to each of the other players in his or her same seat position.

Prizes are awarded based on buy-in amounts paid by the respective players and the number of players entering an event. In addition to the buy-in amount, each event will have a specified charge (service fee) paid to Duplicate Poker for hosting the game.


To balance the number of players at the tables when needed, Duplicate Poker may fill an empty seat with an absent player. That is, the only actions taken by a "player" in that seat will be to post blinds and check or fold in turn. "Absent players" will be eliminated at the end of a session.