Rule 55 · TDA 2026
55: Action Out of Turn (OOT)
Play: Bets and Raises
TDA text 2026
A: In multi-way play (3 or more players this hand): 1: any action out of turn (check, call, or raise) will be backed up to the correct player in order. The OOT action is subject to penalty and is binding if action to the OOT player does not change. A check, call or fold by the correct player does not change action. If action changes, the OOT action is not binding; any bet or raise is returned to the OOT player who has all options: call, raise, or fold. An OOT fold is binding. See Illustration Addendum. 2: Players skipped by OOT action must defend their right to act. If a skipped player had reasonable time and does not speak up before substantial action (Rule 38) OOT occurs after the player, the OOT action is binding. Action backs up and the floor will rule on how to treat the skipped hand given the circumstances, including limiting the player to non-aggressive action or even ruling the hand dead. See Addendum. B: In heads-up play (2 players only remaining in this hand “Players A and B”), if player B acts passively out of turn (i.e. checks), he may only call or fold to any bet from A, he cannot raise on this betting round
Illustration Addendum
Rule 55-A-1:
Rule 55-A-1: Action Out of Turn (OOT) Multi-way
Example 1: THE 50-100. Post flop Seat 3 opens for 300, Seat 4 folds, action is on Seat 5 when Seat 6 declares “raise to eight hundred”. Step 1: Action backs up to the correct player in order (Seat 5) who is facing a bet of 300. Step 2: If Seat 5 calls or folds then the action (a 300 bet) has not changed and Seat 6’s OOT raise is binding (raise to 800). However, if Seat 5 raises, (say, to 600 total), then the action to Seat 6 has changed from a 300 bet to a 600 bet. If action changes, the 800 chips may be returned to Seat 6 who has all options open: call 600, re-raise to at least 900, or fold. Example 2: THE 50-100. Post flop Seat 3 checks, Seat 4 checks, action is on Seat 5 when Seat 6 declares “check”. Step 1: Action backs up to the correct player in order (Seat 5) who is not facing a bet. Step 2: If Seat 5 checks then the action (a check) has not changed and Seat 6’s OOT check is binding. But if Seat 5 bets (say, 300) then the action to Seat 6 has changed from check to a 300 bet. If action changes, Seat 6 has all options open: call 300, raise to at least 600, or fold.
Rule 55-A-2:
Rule 55-A-2: Substantial Action Out of Turn (OOT) Multi-way.
A player skipped by OOT action must defend his right to act. If there is reasonable time and the skipped player has not spoken up by the time substantial action (see Rule 38) OOT occurs to his left, the OOT action is binding. The floor will be called to render a decision on how to treat the skipped hand. Example 1: NLHE, blinds 100-200. UTG (Seat 3) makes it 600. Seat 4 is skipped when Seat 5 calls 600 OOT. Seat 6 thinks for a moment then folds. There are now two players acting with chips involved to the left of Seat 4. Two players with chips qualifies as substantial action (Rule 38). Also, Seat 4 has had reasonable time to speak up and bring it to the dealer’s attention that he has been skipped. The OOT call by Seat 5 is now binding due to substantial action OOT, and the OOT fold by Seat 6 is binding (Rule 60). The floor is called to make a decision on the fate of Seat 4’s hand. Example 2: NLHE, blinds 100-200. Four players remain to see the turn. After the dealer tables the turn card, the UTG (Seat 3) opens betting for 600. Seat 4 is skipped when Seat 5 checks and Seat 6 calls 600 OOT. The floor is called to make a decision on the fate of Seat 4’s hand.
Rule 55-B:
Rule 55-B: Action Out of Turn (OOT) Heads-Up
Example 1 (passive action): NLHE,blinds 100-200. Two players remain to see the turn. Correct action is on Seat 1 but Seat 2 checks (acts passively) out of turn. Action returns to Seat 1 who bets 1000. Seat 2 may call the 1000 or fold, he may not raise.
Poker Tournament Directors Association
Source: PokerTDA.com ↗ · The original source prevails if this guide differs