1. We ensure fairness in gameplay and adherence to these rules. In exceptional situations, decisions may be made to uphold the integrity of the game, even if they deviate from the established rules.
2. Access to all tournaments is provided via the tournament lobby in the client software or mobile app (referred to as the "tournament lobby").
3. Information about tournaments, such as start time, prize structure, blind structure, level duration, rebuy details, and breaks, is available in the tournament lobby. We reserve the right to delay, cancel, or modify tournaments and their parameters without prior notice.
4. A player can participate in a tournament only once unless the tournament rules allow re-entry. This information is specified in the tournament lobby.
5. Late registration and its duration are specified in the tournament lobby for each tournament.
6. The possibility to unregister from a tournament and the time frame for doing so are specified in the tournament lobby and may vary by tournament. Players who win seats via satellites may only unregister if this option is allowed for the target tournament.
7. At the start of a tournament, seating is assigned randomly. The tournament begins with the button placed randomly. Players cannot change or choose their seats during the tournament.
8. In pot-limit or no-limit tournaments, the number of raises is not capped.
9. A tournament ends when one player wins all the chips. Players cannot purchase additional chips unless the tournament rules allow re-entry.
10. When a player loses all their chips, they are eliminated. Satellite tournaments end when all players have qualified for the target tournament, regardless of their remaining chips.
11. If multiple players are eliminated in the same hand, the player with the most chips at the start of the hand finishes in a higher position. If the players started with an equal number of chips, they share the same position.
12. During certain stages of the tournament (e.g., critical moments affecting prize distribution), synchronized hand mode may be activated when play occurs across multiple tables. This means that if a hand finishes earlier at one table, the next hand will not begin until all other tables have completed their respective hands.
13. After each hand, the button moves clockwise to the next player. In heads-up play, the player on the button posts the small blind.
14. Break schedules are listed in the tournament lobby. Multi-table tournaments typically feature 5-minute breaks every hour, starting at 55 minutes past the hour. Single-table tournaments do not have breaks.
15. Players are solely responsible for any malfunctions of the equipment or software they use to connect to the Internet, as well as for disruptions caused by their Internet service providers. If a player experiences technical issues on their end and loses connection, preventing them from continuing in the tournament, they will automatically skip hands and perform default actions (e.g., check, fold, posting blinds, and/or antes).
16. In the event of server failure, error, or technical malfunction ("exceptional circumstances") occurring on our side that impacts ongoing gameplay, the following rules will apply:
16.1. If the tournament is canceled before it begins, all registered players will receive a refund of their buy-in, tournament fee, and personal bounties (in bounty tournaments). Refunds will be issued in the same form as the original registration: if a ticket was used, the ticket will be returned; if tournament money was used, tournament money will be refunded.
16.2. If the tournament is canceled after it starts but before reaching the prize stage, all remaining players will receive:
— 50% of the prize pool equally distributed among all remaining players.
— 50% of the prize pool distributed proportionally based on each player's chip count at the time of cancellation.
— A refund of the tournament fee.
16.3. If the tournament is canceled after reaching the prize stage, each remaining player will receive the minimum guaranteed prize for their current position. The remainder of the prize pool will be distributed proportionally based on chip counts.
16.4. In tournaments with a guaranteed prize pool, if the tournament is canceled after it starts, the actual prize pool, not the guaranteed amount, will be distributed.
16.5. If only final table players remain, the prize pool will be distributed using the Independent Chip Model (ICM). ICM calculates each player's share of the prize pool based on their chip count, the remaining prize pool (excluding a fixed amount for the winner), and the probability of winning each prize. Bounties for eliminated players and self-bounties remain with the respective players.
16.6. If freerolls are canceled before they start or before the prize stage, no compensation is provided. If a freeroll reaches the prize stage, refunds will be handled according to the rules for standard tournaments (excluding tournament fees).
16.7. When calculating refunds, the entire actual prize pool is considered, including buy-ins, rebuys, and add-ons contributed up to the point of cancellation. In Mystery Bounty tournaments, unpaid bounty prizes are added to the overall prize pool and included in the distribution.
16.8. When a tournament is canceled, players are refunded their personal bounties, as well as any bounties earned for eliminating other players, including Mystery Bounty prizes.
16.9. Players who were eliminated before the tournament's cancellation are not entitled to any refunds.
17. Deals between players at the final table are allowed in certain tournaments unless prohibited in the tournament lobby. Deals require unanimous agreement among remaining players and will be reflected in the payout structure. Deals are not available in Spin&Win tournaments.
18. Conditions for making deals:
— Deals are permitted only in real-money tournaments.
— Deals can only be made at the final table, provided all remaining players participate.
— PokerPlanets does not mediate the terms of the deal but may act as an intermediary to confirm the consent of all participants before redistributing the prize pool.
— The ICM method is applied when making deals.
— In exceptional cases, when a PokerPlanets representative is present at the final table as an intermediary, an alternative method for distributing the prize pool may be used.
19. Making deals regarding leaderboard points distribution is prohibited. Violating this rule may result in the cancellation of all leaderboard points earned in the relevant tournament.
20. In certain tournaments, players can earn rewards for eliminating other participants ("bounties"). This information is specified in the tournament lobby. Bounties are of two types:
— For each eliminated player: A reward is granted for eliminating any tournament participant. In some tournaments, the bounty amount increases with each player eliminated.
— Fixed bounty: A reward is granted for eliminating one or more specifically designated players.
21. A bounty is awarded to the player who wins the pot into which the eliminated participant went all-in. If the pot is split among multiple players, the bounty is divided equally. Any remainder goes to the player in the earliest position at the start of the hand in which the pot was split.
22. If a player wins a tournament with bounty rewards, they receive the bounty for their own elimination. If a player with an assigned bounty does not register for the tournament, the bounty for that player is not awarded.
23. Players are prohibited from colluding to eliminate others for the purpose of earning a bounty. Such actions are strictly forbidden, and violators will face appropriate penalties.
24. In Mystery Bounty tournaments, the bounty reward for eliminating a player is determined randomly. If a deal is made among players at the final table, they must continue playing until one player wins all the chips.
25. These rules may be amended at any time at our discretion. The decisions made by PokerPlanets are final and cannot be appealed by players or third parties.