Run the Hand

How it works

• One hand, ten steps, blinds to push.
• Tap the right step, seat or words.
• The glowing seat is the one to act.
• Rulings drills come with Dealer Pro.
• Play money only.

How we grade

Dealer practice

Steps follow how trained dealers run a hand: The Professional Poker Dealer's Handbook (Paymar, Harris and Malmuth, 2009).

Shuffling and pitching are hands-on. I name the order. Practice the motion with real cards.

TDA ruleTDA + Robert's

Rulings are graded for a tournament table, under the Poker TDA rules. Where a cash room under Robert's Rules differs, the Why says how.

Each answer shows its rule and number. A house rule always wins in its room.

Dealer habits

• Say "raise" first, then the total.
• Bring bets in before any new card.
• Tap, then burn.
• The winner's cards stay up until the pot moves.
• When a ruling is in doubt, call the floor. Give facts, not opinions.

See Michigan house rules

Where the rules come from

Robert's Rules of Poker, version 11, by Bob Ciaffone. Poker TDA Rules, 2026 v1.1, pokertda.com.

TDA rules used by permission of the Poker TDA, Copyright 2026, http://www.pokertda.com, All rights reserved.

Practice, not a certificate. The casino's table test is the real test.

Win a hero's favor and I lay their world's felt beneath your cards. 25 sharp choices at their table.