GTO Gecko · Tournament rules

Moving tables: five different cases

The same destination can produce a different answer. Identify why you are moving, then check the assigned position.

Conceptual relative positions only. More than two players, timely arrival before the next deal, and dealer-resolved next-hand positions. These strips show BTN → gap → SB → BB, not complete physical tables or ongoing hands. Tournament staff assign seats and apply the procedure.

CASE 1 / 5BalancingRule 12-A

Next big blind moves to the confirmed big blind

All players remain present. The last hand had the button in seat 1, small blind in seat 2 and big blind in seat 3. Next hand, those positions would be seats 2, 3 and 4. The floor moves seat 4 to a confirmed destination big-blind seat.

  1. BTNButton
  2. GapBetween BTN and SB
  3. SBSmall blind
  4. BBBig blindAssigned position
What this case calls forSeat 4 takes the assigned big-blind seat

Seat 4 is the next big blind. For balancing, that player moves to the worst position, which can be the big blind. The floor confirms the destination; the player does not select it.

CASE 2 / 5BalancingRule 12-A

The assignment appears to be the small blind

A balancing instruction appears to put you in the small blind at the destination table.

  1. BTNButton
  2. GapBetween BTN and SB
  3. SBSmall blindApparent assignment
  4. BBBig blind
What this case calls forAsk the floor to confirm the assignment

The balancing rule says the worst position is never the small blind. Clarify the move with staff; do not choose another seat yourself.

CASE 3 / 5Broken tableRule 11-A

The assigned seat is the small blind

Your table breaks and the new seat assignment puts you in the small blind.

  1. BTNButton
  2. GapBetween BTN and SB
  3. SBSmall blindAssigned position
  4. BBBig blind
What this case calls forReceive a hand and post the small blind

A player from a broken table can receive a hand in the small blind. The balancing restriction does not apply to this procedure.

CASE 4 / 5Broken tableRule 11-A

Big blind again after moving

You posted the big blind before your table broke. Your new assigned seat is also the big blind.

  1. BTNButton
  2. GapBetween BTN and SB
  3. SBSmall blind
  4. BBBig blindAssigned position
What this case calls forReceive a hand and post the big blind

Players from a broken table assume the rights and responsibilities of their new position. Posting the previous big blind does not exempt this new assignment.

CASE 5 / 5Broken tableRule 11-A

Assigned between the button and small blind

Your table breaks and your assigned position is strictly between the button and small blind.

  1. BTNButton
  2. GapBetween BTN and SBAssigned position
  3. SBSmall blind
  4. BBBig blind
What this case calls forDo not receive this hand; let the dealer confirm when you enter

This is the broken-table exception: a player in this gap cannot be dealt this hand. Do not infer a fixed number of hands to wait. The small-blind seat itself is a different case.

BTN = button · SB = small blind · BB = big blind. The gap is strictly between BTN and SB; it is not the SB seat.