About the GVPT Site

The Green Valley Poker Tour website lets you track poker results and see how you stack up on the leaderboards. You can browse player profiles and check upcoming events on the calendar.

The site also features a seasonal battle pass. Earn experience from tournaments to unlock tiers and claim cosmetic rewards for your profile. XP is awarded per tournament finish:

• Participation – 100 XP
• Third Place – 200 XP
• Second Place – 300 XP
• First Place – 400 XP

Tournament Rules

Every GVPT event uses a consistent ruleset so new players can jump in without surprises. Expand any section below for the specifics.

Game Format

• All tournaments are No-Limit Texas Hold’em.
• Each player starts with 25,000 chips.
• When a player loses all their chips, they are eliminated unless they rebuy before the rebuy cutoff.
• The tournament continues until one player possesses all the chips.

Blinds and Levels

• Blind timers are set by the admin running the event and may range between 10 and 25 minutes per level.
• When a new blind level begins, it applies to the next hand dealt, not the hand currently in play.
• The blind structure follows the official GVPT chart unless otherwise announced before the event.

Buy-Ins, Rebuys, and Add-Ons

• Rebuys are unlimited until the rebuy cutoff.
• Add-ons are not allowed.
• Players must rebuy immediately after busting to remain in the tournament.
• After rebuying:
  • The player remains in the same table position unless an open seat is available due to another player not rebuying.
  • If an open seat is available, the player may choose to move to that position.
  • The player must pay the big blind on their first hand after re-entering.
  • A player may wait to re-enter until the big blind reaches them.

Dealing and Gameplay

• The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand.
• The two players left of the button post the small blind and big blind.
• Standard Texas Hold’em dealing rules apply: burn a card before the flop, turn, and river.
• The hand sequence is pre-flop, flop, turn, and river.
• Players make the best five-card hand from any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards.

Betting Rules

• The minimum raise must be at least equal to the size of the big blind.
• Verbal declarations are binding except for all-in bets, which require at least one chip placed in the pot.
• A fold out of turn is allowed and binding.
• If a player calls or raises out of turn, their chips must remain in the pot and play continues in proper order.
• All-in bets are allowed at any time.

Showdown and Pots

• When betting is complete, players reveal their hands in order of action; the last aggressor shows first.
• The best five-card hand wins the pot.
• If a player is all-in for less than the current bet, a side pot is created for the remaining active players.
• Cards must remain visible until all pots are awarded.

Tournament Clarifications

• Absent Players
  • Players will be dealt hands regardless of whether they are physically present at the table.
  • A player’s hand remains live until action reaches that player.
  • If a player is not present when action reaches them, their hand is immediately folded.
  • Blinds and antes, if applicable, are posted as normal.
  • A player returning while a hand is in progress may not re-enter that hand and must wait for the next deal.
• Betting Declarations and Single Chip Rule
  • Any single chip placed into the pot at any time without a prior verbal declaration is always a call, regardless of chip value.
  • After placing a chip without a declaration, the action is locked as a call only.
  • A player may not add chips or declare all-in after placing a call chip.
  • To raise or go all-in, a player must either:
    • Verbally declare “raise” or “all-in” before placing chips, or
    • Place the full intended amount into the pot in one continuous motion.
  • Verbal declarations made before chips are placed are binding.
• Acting Out of Turn
  • Folding out of turn is allowed and binding.
  • If a player checks out of turn, the check stands if action checks to them.
  • If a player calls or raises out of turn, their chips must remain in the pot and action continues from the correct player.
• Dealing Errors and Misdeals
  • A misdeal occurs if:
    • Cards are dealt to the wrong number of players
    • The dealer exposes a card during the initial deal
    • The deck is incorrect or incomplete
  • If a misdeal is declared, the hand is void and redealt.
  • A misdeal may only be declared before substantial action occurs.
  • Once substantial action has occurred, the hand must be played.
  • If a card is exposed after the deal has begun, play continues and the exposed card remains face up.
  • Errors involving too many or too few community cards are corrected using WSOP procedures.
• Exposed Cards and Unfair Advantage
  • An unfair advantage exists when a player gains information, action, or protection not reasonably available to other players.
  • This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Seeing another player’s cards unintentionally
    • Acting on information gained from exposed cards
    • Intentionally revealing cards or hand strength during a live hand
    • Using outside assistance or electronic tools during play
  • Accidental exposure does not automatically kill a hand unless fairness cannot be restored.
  • If fairness cannot be restored, the hand may be ruled dead using WSOP standards.
• Mucking and Hand Protection
  • Players are responsible for protecting their own hands at all times.
  • Any hand released face down toward the muck may be ruled dead.
  • Once a hand is killed, it cannot be retrieved.
• Showdown Clarifications
  • Cards speak. Verbal declarations of hand strength are not binding.
  • A player is not required to announce their hand to win the pot.
  • A player who discards their hand face down at showdown forfeits any claim to the pot.
• Side Pots
  • Side pots are created whenever a player is all-in for less than the full bet.
  • Only players who contributed to a side pot may win that side pot.
  • Side pots are awarded after the main pot.
• Clock and Stalling (Time Chip System)
  • Each player receives one time chip per tournament.
  • Any player may call the clock if they believe another player is taking excessive time.
  • If the player has a time chip, they may use it to receive up to one additional minute to act.
  • If the player does not have a time chip or chooses not to use it, they have 15 seconds to act.
  • Failure to act within the allotted time results in a check if possible; otherwise, the hand is folded.
  • Time chips may only be used once per tournament.
• Running Boards
  • All pots are run once only.
  • Running it twice is not permitted under any circumstances.
• Rule Enforcement Authority
  • All rule enforcement decisions are made by the GVPT Council.
  • No individual player may issue penalties unilaterally.
• Council Voting Requirements (Normal Penalties)
  • At least 50% of the council must be present to issue a penalty (excluding any member involved).
  • A minimum of 75% agreement among those present (excluding any member involved) is required to impose a penalty.
  • If these requirements are not met, no penalty may be enforced.
• Knowingly Breaking the Rules
  • A player is considered to be knowingly breaking the rules if they:
    • Repeat a violation after a warning
    • Intentionally misrepresent action or declarations
    • Attempt to exploit clarified rules
    • Act with intent to gain an unfair advantage
• Available Penalties
  • The council may impose one of the following penalties:
    • Warning
    • Hand penalty (hand is dead; chips remain in pot)
    • Round penalty (sit out one full orbit; blinds still posted)
    • Disqualification (chips removed; no refunds)
• Appeals Process
  • A player may appeal a ruling or penalty.
  • Appeals must be declared immediately after the ruling and before the next hand is dealt.
  • Appeals are reviewed by the same council.
  • At least 75% of the council must be present to hear an appeal.
  • A unanimous vote of those present is required to overturn or modify a ruling.
  • Appeals may only be made once per incident.
  • If appeal requirements are not met, the original ruling stands.
• Default Authority
  • Any situation not explicitly covered by GVPT rules or this appendix will be resolved using the official WSOP Tournament Rules.

Payouts

• With fewer than 8 players, the top 2 positions are paid.
• With 8 or more players, the top 3 positions are paid.
• Payout breakdown:
  • 1st place: approximately 70%
  • 2nd place: approximately 20%
  • 3rd place: approximately 10% (buy-in refund only)
  • Percentages may be adjusted up to ±5% for even numbers.
• Chops are not allowed.
• The tournament plays to a single winner.

Rules Disputes

• Any situation not covered in this rule set will be resolved according to the official WSOP Tournament Rules.

Achievement Badges

Badges celebrate key milestones. Each badge icon appears on your profile once its requirement is met.

First Tournament

Play in at least one event.

Top 3 Finish

Place in the top three of a tournament.

Tournament Winner

Win any tournament.

High Roller

Accumulate over $100 in net earnings.

Veteran

Participate in 25 tournaments.

Hot Streak

Record a profit in five consecutive events.

Ironman

Compete in ten tournaments.

All-Season Player

Play in events across four distinct months.

Weekly Warrior

Play four weeks in a row.

Double Dip

Cash in two consecutive tournaments.

On Fire

Cash in three straight tournaments.

Wild Fire

Cash in five straight tournaments.

Inferno

Cash in seven straight tournaments.

Untouchable

Win two tournaments back to back.

Cold Snap

Miss the money in five consecutive tournaments.

Shark

Reach a skill rating above 1700.

Always No. 2

Finish second at least three times without ever winning.

Bubble Boy

Bust on the money bubble three times.

Cursed

Finish last in three consecutive tournaments.

Momentum

Improve your finish in four straight tournaments.

Money Printer

Earn over $300 lifetime profit.

Write Off

Hit a net balance of -$100.

Sand Bagging

Stay within 50 skill rating points over ten tournaments.

Calendar King

Play events across six distinct months.

Lucky Bastard

Win after starting with the lowest skill rating in the field.

Pump & Dump

Win a tournament then finish last in the next.