When the tourney was originally announced, Continental said that they would pay a U.S. withholding tax for the top “8” winners. They have recently amended that to announce that they will now pay a U.S. withholding tax for the top “9” winners.

So if the fear of taxes has been holding you back, worry no longer and get in there to go “all in.”

(Latest update on withholding tax question)

Like every good game, you’ve got to have some rules. Here’s the ones that are in effect for the OnePass Texas Hold ‘em Tourney.

1. Tournament director is to consider the best interest and fairness of the game when making all decisions.
2. Players must be at the table when it is their turn to act or their hand will be considered dead and folded by the dealer.
3. All cards will be turned face up once one or more players is all-in and all other action is complete.
4. There is only one player per hand; solicitation of help is not permitted.
5. There will be an English language only rule at the tables during the course of play.
6. Players must keep their highest denomination of chips in plain view at all times.
7. Players that expose their card(s) during the course of play may incur a penalty but will not have their HAND declared dead.
8. If two or more players go broke during the same hand, the player who started the hand with the most chips will finish higher in the tournament than the other player(s) who also went broke during the hand.
9. Golden Nugget casino management reserves the right to disqualify any tournament participant whose behavior is considered detrimental to the game. Foul and abusive language and other misconduct will not be tolerated.
10. Tournament Directors decisions are final.
11. Enjoy the tournament and have fun.

Here’s the guide to the official rules to the OnePass tourney – along with my observations.

Q: How much do I have to bet?

You must bet a minimum equal to the Big Blind.

(if you have to ask these questions, then you better be prepared to come with a “Dummies Guide to Texas Hold’em“)

Q: How much can I bet?

This is a No-Limit Hold ‘em, so you can bet as many chips as you have at any time you desire.

(he-he-he! This I got to see when the chips – or the miles – are really on the table.

Q: How much can I raise?

You must raise at least the equivalent to the most recent bet made; and you can raise as high as you desire.

Q: Can I pick my seat?

Seats are drawn randomly at the time of registration.

(Heck, there goes the fun of sitting across from the guy wearing the sunglasses…)

Q: If I am not sure how to bet or if it is my turn, what can I do?

The dealers are neutral and you may ask them any procedural questions you like; however they cannot provide advice on any playing decisions.

(Might be a little late to be asking for advice like that, but then again, I’ll be available to tell you how much you could possibly lose on the hand…)

Q: Will we have break times?

Yes, there will be scheduled breaks in the tournament.

Q: If I need to leave the table will I be penalized?

No, you may miss as many hands as you like with no penalty; if it comes to be your turn in the small or big blind, then the dealer will take the appropriate number of chips from your stack to pay those blinds.

(I don’t know about you but I hate it when others touch my chips. I really, really hate it.)