Rule 11 · TDA 2026
11: New Players and Players from Broken Tables
Seating, Breaking and Balancing Tables
TDA text 2026
A: New players entering the tournament and players from broken tables can get any seat including the small or big blind or the button and be dealt in except between the SB and button. B: Players from a broken table will be assigned new tables and seats by a 2-step random process. See Illustration Addendum.
Illustration Addendum
Rule 11:
Rule 11: Breaking Tables, 2-Step Random Process.
A 2-step random or “double-blind” process assures that there is no favoritism in distributing new seat assignments. An example of one such process: 1) show players at the breaking table the new seat cards then scramble the cards face down and form a stack; 2) the dealer then deals one playing card face up to each player. The seat cards are then dealt out with the first seat card going to the player with the highest playing card by suit showing.
Poker Tournament Directors Association
Source: PokerTDA.com ↗ · The original source prevails if this guide differs