Stake Poker Card Room Rules

1. Card Room Rules (i) The Stake Poker Card Room Rules ("Card Room Rules") must be read in conjunction with the Stake.com Terms and Conditions, which together constitute a binding agreement (“Agreement”) between you and Medium Rare N.V (“Stake”). (ii) The Terms & Conditions always take precedence over these Card Room Rules to the extent of any inconsistency. The Card Room Rules are applicable to all poker games (excluding casino games) made accessible by Stake.com, collectively referred to as “PokerGames” or “Poker Game”, as applicable. (iii) In this Agreement, words in the singular include the plural and vice versa. (iv) By playing any Poker Game you: (a) Agree to comply with the Card Room Rules and Terms & Conditions. (b) Acknowledge that any breach of the Card Room Rules may result in your Stake account being removed, restricted or suspended. (c) Agree to be bound by the decisions of Stake relating to or arising from the Poker Games, which are final, determinative and binding.

1.1. Basic Game Rules

(i) Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all Poker Games utilize a standard 52-card poker deck. (ii) Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the poker hand rankings available on the Stake.com website universally apply to all Poker Games. (iii) The rules and specifications for each particular Poker Game are provided in the lobby of that Poker Game (“GameRules”). Unless otherwise indicated in the Game Rules, the definitions used in these Card Room Rules apply to the Game Rules. (iv) Once a player commences playing a particular Poker Game, the Game Rules become incorporated into the terms of your binding agreement with Stake and govern your gameplay. For the avoidance of any doubt, reference to “Agreement” incorporates reference to the Terms and Conditions, Card Room Rules and Game Rules. (v) To the extent of any inconsistency between the documents comprising the Agreement, the following order of precedence applies and items higher in the below sub-clauses override items lower in the subclauses: (a) Terms and Conditions; (b) Card Room Rules; and (c) Game Rules.

1.2. Connection and Server Issues

(i) Stake disclaims all liability for player losses due to internet disconnections during Poker Games, regardless of server involvement. (ii) Stake may, at its sole discretion, reasonably compensate players affected by internet disconnections during Poker Games, caused or contributed to by Stake’s servers.

1.3. Unethical and Unfair Behavior

(i) Stake reserves the right at its absolute discretion to determine when player behavior or activity is unethical or unfair (without any liability to you whatsoever), which includes, but is not limited to, gameplay exhibiting the following: (a) collusion, chip-dumping and ‘whipsawing’; (b) in-Poker Game decisions being made with the use of real-time advice or third-party software, instead of solely by the player; (c) use the website chat or third-party messaging systems to collude, or otherwise gain a mutual advantage; and (d) any other behavior or activity which Stake considers unacceptable or inappropriate. (ii) Unethical Behavior is strictly prohibited on Stake.com. (iii) If Stake suspects a player of Unethical Behavior it reserves the right to take necessary action, including but not limited to requesting certain information from that player, account closure, account suspension, freezing of funds, amendment of Poker Game results or any further action it deems appropriate.

1.4. Third Party Software and Playing Tools

(i) Stake prohibits the use of certain tools and services in conjunction with its’ Poker Games, including but not limited to bots, tools that share hole card information, ICM calculators, solver-type software, dynamic range software, seating scripts, virtual machines, remote control software and any tool enabling real-time advice during a Poker Game. (iii) Stake prohibits data mining and/or data sharing activities in relation to or used in association with the Poker Games.

1.5. Stake’s Rights

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, at Stake’s absolute discretion and with no liability to players whatsoever, Stake reserves the right to: (i) restrict, remove or otherwise dictate if and how players participate in any Poker Games; and (ii) take any action it deems appropriate against players breaching, attempting to breach or under suspicion of breaching the terms of the Agreement; and (iii) finally determine any disputes arising between players or between players and dealers. Including but not limited to in relation to the interpretation of this Agreement or the ordinary rules of any of the Poker Games referred to in this Agreement.

1.6. References to “$”

All references to “$” or “USD” on Stake.com in relation to the Poker Games are solely for the purpose of providing an approximate indication of the USD-equivalent value of the amounts involved in gameplay. For the avoidance of any doubt, Stake does not: (i) exchange or convert any currency; or (ii) warrant the accuracy of any approximate indications regarding USD- equivalent value.

1.7. Calculations at Stake Poker’s Discretion

By participating in any Poker Games, you acknowledge and agree that: (i) all calculations on Stake.com, including but not limited to calculations of the amounts a player wins, loses and bets, are done at Stake’s sole discretion; and (ii) any disagreement or dispute arising from or relating to any such calculations will be finally determined by Stake, at its sole discretion and without and liability to you whatsoever.

1.8. VIP Progress

Poker Cash Games gambling contributes towards VIP Progress and counts towards the wagering requirement for Stake.com . The rules in this section apply to specific Poker Games which constitute poker cash/ring games (“Ring Games”).

2.1. Minimum Amounts

In No Limit and Pot Limit Ring Games, the minimum amount required to be played is equal to the Gig Blind in that Ring Game.

2.2. Buying In

(i) For the purpose of this section, “Table Stakes” means that only amounts brought to the table before a hand begins can be played in that hand. (ii) All Ring Games are played Table Stakes only. (iii) Buy-in variations may occur by table, declared before joining, and players must be seated with the intent to play. (iv) Seated players are expected to be dealt into hands more frequently than sitting out. (v) Stake reserves the right to exclude or remove a player who fails to comply with this section at its absolute discretion.

2.3. ‘Going South’

(i) If a player leaves a table with a chip stack greater than the maximum buy-in for that table, re-joining with a lesser buy-in is restricted for at least 60 minutes. (ii) The above restriction in clause 2.3(i) does not apply if the player’s departing stack is less than or equal to the maximum buy-in.

2.4. Connection and Server Issues

(i) In case of disconnection with chips in the pot, no extra time will be provided to reconnect once the time bank has been depleted. (ii) If reconnection is not possible or practical, a disconnected player's hand will be folded when facing action.

3. Tournament Rules

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the rules in this section apply to specific Poker Games which constitute tournament games (“Tournament Games”). 3.1. General Tournament Rules

(i) All Tournament Games start promptly at the scheduled time, and Stake reserves the right to delay or cancel a tournament at its absolute discretion and without prior notice. (ii) Stake reserves the right to change Tournament Game parameters without notice. (iii) Seats in Tournament Games are randomly assigned, and seat changes during tournaments are not permitted. (iv) Prizes are won or awarded from Tournament Games as stated in the tournament lobby, and the final prize structure is determined after registration and the rebuy or add-on period. (v) To rebuy in a rebuy tournament, players must have sufficient funds. Multiple accounts in a Tournament Game are strictly prohibited. (vi) Some Tournaments Games may allow de-registration until 30 seconds before the tournament starts. (vii) If a Tournament Game is cancelled, refunds will be at Stake’s discretion, acting reasonably. 3.2. Eliminations

(i) The Tournament Game concludes when one player accumulates all chips. (ii) Stake Tournament Game software breaks tables to fill empty seats as players are eliminated, thereby ensuring fairness, and balances tables by moving players individually to similar positions relative to the blinds. (iii) By participating in Tournament Games, you agree to the use of the software and the manner in which it may affect gameplay. 3.3. Breaks

(i) The Tournament Game break schedule is stated in the lobby, and players are encouraged to note break times. (ii) Unless otherwise stated in the lobby or determined by Stake, breaks will take place at the beginning of each hour and last for approximately 5 minutes. (iii) The player is solely responsible for ensuring they note the break times and are prepared for the resumption of gameplay. Stake does not take any Version 1 - 02092024responsibility for players failing to rejoin gameplay after a break has ended.

3.4. Connection and Server Issues

(i) If a player times out during a hand, their hand is folded if facing action. (ii) Players who are not connected before a hand starts, will be dealt cards, with blinds/antes posted. (iii) The 'no agreement to sit out' rule applies to the Tournament Games.

3.5. Time Bank

(i) Each player is allocated a time bank for decisions, depleting as used. (ii) If a player fails to act in time under specific conditions, the time bank is automatically activated. (iii) The time bank cannot be extended or replenished.

4. Bounty Tournament Rules

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the rules in this section apply to specific Poker Games which constitute bounty tournaments, being Poker Games which reward players for eliminating other players (“Bounty Tournaments”).

4.1. General Rules for Bounty Tournaments

(i) Bounty Tournaments operate like Tournament Games and incorporate clause 3 of these Card Room Rules, however with the addition of the bounty feature. (ii) The Bounty Tournament buy-in for the standard prize pool, player bounties, and the entry fee is as indicated in the lobby. (iii) Players win bounties for each opponent they eliminate, regardless of reaching the prize stage if the Bounty Tournament. (iv) If multiple players eliminate a player with the same strength hand, the bounty is distributed equally between those eliminating players. (v) Eliminated players receive any bounties claimed before their elimination. (vi) The winner of a Bounty Tournament is awarded their own bounty, as provided in the lobby. (vii) Refunds for cancelled Bounty Tournaments will be done at Stake’s discretion, acting reasonably.

5. All-in Tournament Rules

(i) Unless expressly stated otherwise, the rules in this section apply to specific Poker Games which constitute all-in tournaments, being Poker Games wherein players go all-in until there is a winner (“All-in Tournaments”). (ii) The rules in this section apply exclusively to ‘All-in,’ ‘Shootout,’ and ‘All-in Shootout’ tournaments as stated in the tournament lobby.

5.1. General Rules for ‘All-in’ Tournaments

(i) In All-in Tournaments, every participant is automatically ‘all-in’ for every hand, and participants can only observe their progress after registering. (ii) Prizes are awarded according to the information in the tournament lobby. (iii) All-in Tournaments are only available in the ‘Texas Hold’em’ poker format.

6. Sit ‘N’ Go Tournament Rules

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the rules in this section apply to specific Poker Games which constitute Sit ‘N’ Go tournaments, being Poker Games where the tournament begins as soon as the necessary number of players have registered (“SNG Tournaments”).

6.1 General Rules for Sit ‘N’ Go Tournaments

(i) SNG Tournaments start with a pre-set number of players, without rebuys. (ii) Players buy-in using either fiat or cryptocurrency, with the approximate equivalent value in USD indicated on Stake.com. (iii) No rake is taken by Stake, but an entry fee may apply if stated in the lobby. (iv) All players in SNG Tournaments start with an equal chip stack. (v) There is no limit to the number of SNG Tournaments a player can join at any one time. (vi) Refunds for cancelled SNG tournaments will be at Stake’s discretion, acting reasonably.

7. Rake