36: Button Placement and Movement

A: If incorrect button movement is discovered before SA occurs, the error will be corrected. However, if SA has occurred, play will continue. Ex: If the button is moved twice and SA occurs the error will stand, the button will not be backed-up on the next hand. All players have a responsibility to monitor button placement and speak up if they see a mistake (Rule 2). B: The button does not belong to a seat. If player elimination would result in a dead button and multiple vacant seats are open for incoming players, the button will advance one or more vacant seats to preserve the normal blind progression and seat the maximum number of incoming players, provided no player misses or posts consecutive big blinds. Ex scenario: seat 9 is the button, seat 1 the SB, seats 2 and 3 are vacant and seat 4 is BB. On this hand seat 1 (SB) busts. On the next hand the button will advance to seat 3 so the hand is dealt with SB on seat 4 and BB on seat 5. This placement allows new players to take seats 1 and 2 without being positioned between the button and the blinds. C: Heads-up, the small blind is the button, is dealt the last card, and acts first pre-flop and last on all other betting rounds. Starting heads-up play, the button may need to be adjusted to ensure no player has the big blind twice in a row.