2026 compared with 2024
What Changed in the 2026 Poker TDA Rules
This editorial overview is based only on passages marked in the official 2026 redline source. It highlights the changes most useful at the table, then links to every affected rule in TDA Guide. It is not a replacement for the complete Poker TDA text.
New rules
Rule 7
In the Tournament with Chips
Defines when a player is considered in the tournament and requires players holding chips to proceed to their assigned table.
Read the full rule →Rule 22
BBA: Order of Finish and Bounty Prizes
Adds an order-of-finish and bounty rule for simultaneous eliminations in events using a big blind ante.
Read the full rule →Key updates for players and staff
Rule 5
Electronic Devices and Communication
Expands the integrity policy to wearable technology, covert recording and external assistance.
Read the full rule →Rule 25
New Hand / New Betting Limits
Clarifies when a new hand and new betting limits begin, including a missed official level change.
Read the full rule →Rule 27
Visible and Countable Chips
Specifies clean vertical stacks of 20 same-denomination chips.
Read the full rule →Rule 55
Action Out of Turn
Separates the treatment of multi-way and heads-up action out of turn.
Read the full rule →Rule 72
Player Conduct and Behavioral Integrity
Sets out a safe, polite tournament environment and examples of prohibited conduct.
Read the full rule →Rule 73
Game Pace, Physical Etiquette, and Mechanics
Collects pace-of-play, physical etiquette and game-mechanics duties in a dedicated rule.
Read the full rule →Recommended Procedures and addendum
The English source highlights 10 Recommended Procedures and 4 Illustration Addendum sections.
- RP-1. All-In Betting and Plaques
- RP-10: Tournament Stud Dealing Procedures
- RP-15: Proper Tournament Staff Communication
- RP-23: Chips of an Absent Player.
- RP-24: Players Requesting Information.
- RP-25: Tournament Draw Dealing Procedures.
- RP-26: Chip Penalties (CP).
- RP-27: Dealmaking
- RP-28: Timekeeping
- RP-29: Showing Cards on Livestream.
- Rule 48: Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In, situation examples.
- Rule 55-A-1: Action Out of Turn (OOT) Multi-way
- Rule 55-A-2: Substantial Action Out of Turn (OOT) Multi-way.
- Rule 55-B: Action Out of Turn (OOT) Heads-Up
All rules with official 2026 redlines
The list below is generated from redline spans verified in the selected English source. A rule appears only when that source actually marks a change.
- Rule 3 Official Terminology and Gestures
- Rule 5 Electronic Devices and Communication
- Rule 7 In the Tournament with Chips
- Rule 8 Random Correct Seating
- Rule 9 Alternates, Late Registration, and Re-Entries
- Rule 12 Balancing Tables and Halting Play
- Rule 13 Declarations. Cards Speak at Showdown
- Rule 16 Showdown and Discarding Irregularities
- Rule 21 Awarding Odd Chips
- Rule 22 BBA: Order of Finish and Bounty Prizes
- Rule 25 New Hand / New Betting Limits
- Rule 26 Chip Race, Scheduled Color Ups
- Rule 27 Cards and Chips Kept Visible, Countable, and Manageable. Discretionary Color-Ups
- Rule 36 Button Placement and Movement
- Rule 37 Misdeals and Fouled Decks
- Rule 38 Substantial Action (SA)
- Rule 41 Irregular Flops and Premature-Dealt Cards
- Rule 48 Prior Bet Chips Not Pulled In
- Rule 55 Action Out of Turn (OOT)
- Rule 71 Ethical Play
- Rule 72 Player Conduct and Behavioral Integrity
- Rule 73 Game Pace, Physical Etiquette, and Mechanics
- Rule 74 Warnings, Penalties, and Disqualification