SPL Rules & Regulations

SUNSHINE POKER LEAGUE – OFFICIAL PLAYER HANDBOOK

Turning strangers into friends & friends into family — one tournament at a time!

Welcome to the Sunshine Poker League!

Whether you’re a first-time player or a regular chasing the top of the leaderboard, you’re part of a poker family that’s built on fun, fairness, respect, and community!

We don’t just play cards — we build friendships, support local businesses, and create memories.

This handbook will walk you through how the league works, how to earn prizes, the rules of play, table etiquette, and the SPL spirit that makes us special!

1️⃣ ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN

When you arrive, your first stop is the TD table.
Sign in first & last name before finding your seat — this sets the official player count for the night, which determines the number of points awarded.
If you haven't already signed up on our website, please do so before playing. Visit https://www.sunshinepokerleague.com/ and Join our League.
TDs also keep track of standings, points, and BPO token winners — your sign-in matters.
A $5 donation towards the league is greatly appreciated to help with league costs.
Check out the League Bonuses page for more info regarding earning more chips.

Seating

SPL is first come, first served for seating.
Once signed in, save your seat with a card protector or an early chip.
Avoid holding multiple seats for friends — it can cause table imbalance and slow down play.

A Respectful Start

Greet your TD and tablemates — a friendly “hello” or "how was your day?" goes a long way.
Remember: TDs set up the tables, chips, cards, iPads, laptops, clocks, and breakdown at the end. Treat them with gratitude.

Venue Courtesy

No showing up drunk or smelling strongly of marijuana — many venues are family-oriented.
No outside food or drinks.

2️⃣ SUPPORTING OUR VENUES

Without our partner venues, SPL doesn’t exist. They provide us space for free — our job is to make it worth their while.

That means:

Buy food, drinks, or merchandise every time you play.
Not hungry or thirsty? Buy something for someone else or tip extra.
Early Bird bonus chips are for players who arrive early and support the venue before play begins.
Be polite and patient with venue staff — they’re taking care of you so you can focus on the game.
Respect the space — no damaging property, no excessive mess.

Remember: If venues don’t benefit from us being there, we lose places to play. They allow us to use their establishments to have our poker nights so please support them any way you can.

3️⃣ POINTS, TOKENS & THE ROAD TO VEGAS

We reward consistency, improvement, and dedication — not just one lucky night.

Earning SPL Points

Top 40% of finishers each night earn SPL live points.
Top 20% also earn SPL Super League points and Bar Poker Open (BPO) online points.

BPO Tokens

Top 3 finishers each night win a BPO token for the Sunday 8AM online qualifier.
Finish in the top 2% of that online tournament = paid Vegas seat to the $400K National Championship.
Win the online event = full Vegas travel package (hotel stay, $400 flight reimbursement, and your seat).
Some Saturday online events also offer full packages — check barpokeropen.com for schedules.

Why This Matters

The venue pays for these tokens — please use them.
Using your tokens supports the venue and the league, and gives you a shot at the biggest events of the year.

4️⃣ HOW WE PLAY

Self-Dealt

SPL is self-dealt to keep it free-to-play.
If you can’t deal, politely ask another player to help.

Casper Seats

Always deal to empty “Casper” seats until they’re filled — latecomers get those stacks. Caspers are removed after first break.

Late Entry

Players may join until the first break ends (blinds at 100-200). Some venues may allow you to still enter late depending on venue, region or TD.

SPL House Rule on Raises

Any raise must be at least double the last bet — easier for beginners to follow than casino minimums.

Protect Your Cards

Keep cards on the table and use a card protector.
Don’t lift your cards high — others could see them.

One Player to a Hand

No coaching, peeking at others’ cards, or discussing live hands during play.

Show One, Show All

If you show your hand to one person, you must show it to the table.

String Betting

Bets must be made in one smooth motion or declared verbally first. No adding chips in multiple motions without saying the amount.

5️⃣ TABLE BALANCING & MOVEMENT

Balancing

TDs will move players to keep tables even. Please move promptly, without arguing or complaining.

Table Etiquette When Moving

Bring all chips, card protector, and belongings with you.
New tables with 4 or more players may require a high card for dealer position.

6️⃣ BREAKS & CHIP COLOR-UPS

First Break

Comes after 50-100. Some venues may vary.
TD will color up green chips — stack them neatly in front of you preferbly in 20s and/or 4s.

Second Break

Comes after blinds reach 400-800. Some venues may vary.
Black chips are colored up — TD will round up values to simplify betting.

Breaks are your time to stretch, refresh, and support the venue again by ordering more food/drinks.

7️⃣ FINAL TABLE & END OF NIGHT

When 10 players remain, we combine to the final table.
We take a fun group photo/video — hands in the air encouraged!
Top 3 pose with BPO token flyers for another photo/video.
The winner poses the trophy, belt, crown/tiara, and bragging rights.
Winners may purchase an SPL card protector for a shiny penny (CA gaming law compliance).

8️⃣ ETIQUETTE & CONDUCT

Positive Atmosphere

No politics, profanity, or personal attacks.
Congratulate good plays, don’t mock bad plays/beats.
Be patient — mistakes happen, especially with new players or dealers.

Respect the Game

Don’t berate someone for their style — everyone has a right to their strategy.
Don’t groan or comment when a folded hand would have hit — it gives away information.
No rabbit hunting — once the hand is over, it’s over.

Integrity

No collusion, chip dumping, or cheating — EVER.
No reckless all-ins just to leave early.
Protect your cards to prevent accidental mucking.

9️⃣ LEAVING EARLY

If you know you can’t stay until the end, don’t play that night.
If an emergency arises, tell the TD — your chips will be blinded out or removed. (20 minutes) in most situations.
Never dump chips to another player.

🔟 THE SPL SPIRIT

We believe in:

Welcoming all skill levels — from beginners to seasoned grinders.
Playing hard but fair.
Supporting local venues and small businesses.
Building lasting friendships in the poker community.

For the 3–4 hours we’re together each night, leave stress at the door and enjoy the game with people who have your back.

We turn strangers into friends & friends into family in the heart of the community — one tournament at a time.

📧 Questions? info@SunshinePokerLeague.com

📱 Call/Text: Donnie 805-714-6644

Play hard. Have fun. Respect the game. Bring the Sunshine. ☀️♠️☀️

Another quick reminder that our goal and objective of SPL is to manage a fun and friendly social bar poker league where we welcome anyone & everyone no matter their skill level, religion, background, sex, belief or race. Let’s please support the venues that allow us to use their space, support the league in any way, shape or form, support the community, better our game of poker, have fun, leave our problems & negativity at the door & enjoy one another’s company for the 3-4 hours we’re at the venues. At the end of the day, our motto is to turn strangers into friends & friends into family in the heart of the community one tournament at a time!

Always remember that!

Please make sure you read everything written above. I need everyone that participates in our league to thoroughly take their time and read the entire page.

By participating in any SPL hosted events, all players must agree to abide by the rules. My dream would be for everyone to act upon them. Yes, I know that's wishful thinking but one can dream, right?!?

Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for making this happen. The tournament directors and captains that set up, host and break down, the owners of the establishments, their team of managers, servers and bartenders and all of you assisting the league run smoothly. Sunshine Poker League would not exist without your love & support. We've had some amazing games, enjoyed unforgettable times in Vegas, crowned new winners, met new friends & had a lot of fun. Let's keep growing.. together.. as we build something special!! It's truly a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful community. As we move along, let's follow our rules as much as possible and continue to spread the joy and positivity that comes with playing poker and being a part of the SPL family! I love you all!