The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has released its updated tournament rules for 2025, and whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time entrant, it's essential to understand the key changes.
While most of the rules remain consistent with past editions, several noteworthy updates have been made to improve game integrity, pace, and player behavior. Here are six important rule changes and clarifications you need to know before taking your seat.
If Phil Hellmuth decides to play the Main Event, he will need to be aware of Rule 16.
Rule 16 is one those who often register and don't show up to play until later in the day must know. If you register and don't arrive to your seat until the start of the first level after the first official break, your stack will be removed from play and you will not be eligible to compete in that event. Buy-ins, however, will be refunded and removed from the prize pool for those who don't make it to the table on time.
Last year's rule was a bit different and stated that a stack would be removed if a player failed to arrive prior to the start of the third level. The policy applies to all games, both last year and this year, regardless of blind level length.
2. Get Banned
Paris Ballroom
Rule 18 should encourage players to be on their best behavior this summer. The rule permits the WSOP to ban players before, during, and after a tournament for reasons such as cheating and abusive behavior.
The rule also says that "individuals who are excluded from casino facilities, owned or operated by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. or any of its affiliates/subsidiaries, either through a trespass, government program or by their own request, are not eligible to participate in any WSOP Event."
3. Approved Electronic Devices; Prohibited Filming and Streaming
Jonathan Tamayo
Jonathan Tamayo, the defending world champion, created a controversy last summer after his rail was spotted viewing sims on a laptop during play. The champion, on multiple occasions, confided in his rail, which included poker pro Dominik Nitsche, at times during the Main Event final table. But he didn't have access to any real-time assistance (RTA) tools during any hand he played. Still, many poker fans cried foul and bashed the $10 million winner for taking advantage of technology during the tournament.
As such, the WSOP has written a new policy, which states: "Once Participants have reached the final three tables in any Tournament, all approved electronic devices must be removed. An announcement will be made to Participants once they have reached the final three tables to remove all such electronic devices. Failure to do so will result in penalties up to and including disqualification."
4. Redraw for the Button
In previous years, players would redraw for the button only at final table. Rule 85 in the 2025 WSOP rulebook is a bit different, and reads as follows:
"At the start of an Event, the button will begin in the seat with the first chip stack to the dealer’s right. There will be a draw for the button with 3, 2 and 1 table(s) remaining. Tournament play will use a dead button. Dead Button is defined as a button that cannot be advanced due to elimination of a Participant or the seating of a new Participant into a position between the small blind and the button."
5. Dodging the Blinds
Intentionally dodging the blinds used to "incur a penalty." The wording now spells it out more clearly on the specific penalty a player will receive for failing to abide by Rule 86.
"A Participant who intentionally dodges his or her blind(s) when moving from an existing seat must forfeit both blinds (and BBA if applicable) and will receive a one (1) round penalty."
Dodging the blinds when switching to a new table will essentially cost a player two full rounds of blinds, as opposed to just one if they had simply followed the rule.
6. Talking Strategy
Dominik Nitsche
Rule 116 could be the hottestly debated rule in the entire rulebook. The 2024 rule on talking strategy prohibited discussing strategy with an outside source (i.e. a coach on the rail) while in a hand. That has changed in a significant way.
Players are no longer permitted to discuss strategy with an outside source "at any time while the tournament clock is running, and participants are not on break." So, the only time a player can legally get coaching while in a tournament this year will be during a break. This won't be an easy policy to enforce as the floor manager could have a hard time proving a player was talking strategy with someone on the rail as opposed to making dinner plans.
