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You are the Tournament Director Series 5: Verbal and Physical Threats
The Hendon Mob get a lot of emails asking about tournament rulings relating to player conduct and verbal or physical threats. This one was sent in by Mr John Binns.
Best recount of incident is as follows: During a WPT event, just before a break, there were heated words exchanged between two players. During the break one of the two players made threats against the others life. This was over heard by several other players who brought it to the attention of the TD. Before play resumed security was called and names were taken but no action made against the person making the threats (he later was given a year suspension from the casino). Should this player have been allowed to continue playing or should he have been ejected from the tournament?
 Matt Savage
Trying to talk to the player is my first course of action and if he does not back down from it AND apologize then I have no problem with security escorting him off of the property. Threats like this should not be taken lightly these days and the player should know that barring him permanently is also an option.
TDA rule #50 'Penalties and Disqualification' covers this decision pretty clearly (see below).
 David Lamb
Once it is documented that an individual made threats against a participant, we are obligated to notify our security staff. Players are entitled to a safe and non-intimidating arena.
Based upon the witness reliability and nature of the threats, I would have no problem immediately ejecting the offender and deciding later whether this individual should be barred from future play. Threats are definitely abusive and disruptive behavior so TDA Rule #50 covers disqualification as follows:
50: Penalties and Disqualification
A penalty may be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending, throws a card off the table, violates the one-player-to-a-hand rule, or similar incidents occur. Penalties will be invoked in cases of soft play, abuse, disruptive behavior, or cheating. Penalties available to the tournament director include verbal warnings, “missed hand” penalties, and disqualification. Except for a one-hand penalty, missed hand penalties will be assessed as follows: The offender will miss one hand for every player, including the offender, who is at the table when the penalty is given multiplied by the number of rounds specified in the penalty. For the period of the penalty, the offender shall remain away from the table but will continue to be dealt in.
 JP McCann
Staff and players are entitled to work and play in a safe environment and for this reason I don't tolerate abuse of any nature to staff members or other players and will give penalties up to disqualification.
I deal with these matters on a case by case basis. I often find speaking to the players away from the table about their conduct with a warning that continued abuse will result in disqualification normally puts an end to the matter.
With regards to the case at the WPT, I would need to further investigate the matter, as a threat against one’s life is a very serious one and not to be taken lightly. My problem with the WPT case is no tournament staff actually heard what was said so we are taking second hand information.
Is it possible that this information is coming from one of the two guys friends and we are getting a one sided story?
For this reason I think speaking to both players privately with security present about the situation is the best course of action.
 Thomas Kremser
This situations shall be handled by the TD in cooperation with security. Every incident will be different and has to be handled as such. It is up to the judgement of TD and security to disqualify or not. There is no rule that will specifically apply, except that the casino has the right to barr players that don't apply to house rules or question the security of other persons.
 David Luzago
Obviously the Casino might have their own ruling for these cases too. One thing is not allowing him to continue playing the tournament and other is not letting him to remain inside the building. It is very important to act quickly before any other decision by the casino or the security is taken and makes no possible the TD decision. So acting as one is very important.
I would ask the table and dealer on the exact situation and threats and rule depending on it going from a verbal warning to a total elimination of the competition if he is very reiterative in his threats and rejects to apologize. This situation may affect the normal development of the tournament and should not be tolerated. Behavior like that should not be allowed in any case in the poker world and
from the TD we should do everything is in our hands to avoid it.
 FIDPA (The International Poker Rules) Ruling (Marcel Luske)
There are some clear written IP rules to pick from concerning this kind of behavior that should be taken very seriously and stopped immediatly.
#2 Management will attempt to maintain a pleasant environment for their customersand employees, but is not responsible for the conduct of any player. Managementreserves the right to refuse any player entry into the casino, card room, and/ortournament area(s). The following will not be permitted or tolerated:
- Collusion with another player or any other form of cheating
- Verbally or physically threatening any customer or employee.!!!!!
#3.4 Players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating sportsmanlike behavior at all times.
#9.1 A player will receive a penalty when they, knowingly or unknowingly, violate a rule that compromises the fairness of the game. Actions, statements and/or behavior …
We all understand that the TD has to make the decision as far as possible based on fairness.
If it is really a very serious threat then the security and casino management will act with a barr or ban this player for life and probably call or inform the police, no matter what the TD verdict is.
 David Flusfeder (IFP – International federation of Poker)
The IFP rule number 78 includes the following:
'In order to maintain a congenial environment for all players, the TD may, at his or her sole discretion, penalise, suspend or disqualify a participant who [exhibits]... abusive behavior...' This includes: 'verbally or physically attacking other competitors'.
In the example given here, I think the TD would be perfectly justified to disqualify the offending player immediately.
 Thomas Lamatsch
At EPT we dont have a specific rule for this.
I had a similar situation at EPT Final Monaco and the best way for me to solve this is to talk to both players, with security present, and explain the upcoming ruling, and if there is any further problem. So one round penalty for both and last warning. I have to give a penalty for both players, because I can't guarantee, that also the other players said something similar to the other, just without audience!
I wouldn't take a player out of tournament, but I have to inform security, floorstaff and we have to observe these players. At MC it worked perfect, no discussion anymore and peace on all tables!
Mob Verdict
All the TDs agree that this is something that falls within their jurisdiction even though it took place on a break with no tournament staff present. There is also a general consensus that the security staff should be involved.
As Thomas Kremser says, “Every incident is different and has to be handled as such” having regard for the right of payers and staff to be protected from threatening and abusive behavior as well as the prospect of physical harm.
JP Macann and Thomas Lamatsch are right to point out that the TD is dealing with second hand information here, and although he must take decisive action he cannot necessarily be expected to make a judgement about who is and is not at fault.
If the incident had taken place at the table and been witnessed by tournament staff then it would be likely that the TD would want to issue penalties or even a disqualification.
In this particular case we agree with those who would speak to both players with security present and, as a minimum, issue a warning that further incidents would lead to penalties, or more likely, disqualification.
Furthermore, if the TD judged that penalties or disqualification were warranted based on the initial incident then that would be his call to make.
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