Member Charter

Legends Poker exists to deliver fair, friendly and professionally-run poker tournaments across Victoria. Every member is entitled to a level playing field, transparent rules, and respectful treatment at all times.

• Play with integrity — no collusion, chip dumping, or soft play.
• Respect fellow players, dealers, hosts and venue staff.
• Arrive on time and honour your registered seat.
• Follow the direction of Tournament Directors without dispute at the table.
• Represent the league positively in the community.

• A published, consistent tournament structure and points system.
• Transparent leaderboards updated after every event.
• A clear complaints and appeals process.
• Protection of your personal information under our Privacy Policy.

By participating in any Legends Poker event, tournament, league, or game, or attending any such event representing Legends Poker, all players agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

Legends Poker welcomes players of all backgrounds and is committed to maintaining an environment free from discrimination.

The following will not be tolerated:

• Racism or racially offensive language.
• Sexism or gender-based discrimination.
• Homophobia, transphobia, or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Religious discrimination or harassment.
• Discrimination based on age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, or cultural background.
• Hate speech, slurs, offensive jokes, or derogatory comments directed at any individual or group.

All players deserve equal treatment and an equal opportunity to enjoy the game.

Respectful Behaviour

Players must:

• Behave respectfully toward opponents, dealers, venue staff, and tournament officials.
• Keep disagreements civil.
• Refrain from abusive, aggressive, threatening, or intimidating conduct.
• Avoid excessive swearing, verbal abuse, or personal attacks.
• Respect personal space and boundaries.

The following behaviour is prohibited:

• Bullying or harassment.
• Threats of violence.
• Physical intimidation.
• Verbal abuse directed at another player.
• Deliberately humiliating or targeting another participant.
• Damaging venue or tournament property.

Fair Play and Game Integrity

Maintaining the integrity of the game is the responsibility of every participant.

The following conduct is strictly prohibited:

Cheating

Including but not limited to:

• Marking cards.
• Card substitution.
• Chip manipulation.
• False declarations regarding hands or chips.
• Intentionally misleading tournament staff during investigations.

Collusion

Including but not limited to:

• Soft play between players.
• Chip dumping.
• Sharing information about folded cards.
• Signalling or communicating strategy during a hand.
• Any agreement between players intended to gain an unfair advantage.

Electronic Assistance

Players may not:

• Use poker-solving software during play.
• Receive coaching or strategic advice while actively participating in an event.
• Use devices for any purpose that compromises the integrity of the game.

Angle Shooting

Unethical actions intended to exploit loopholes, deceive opponents, or manipulate tournament procedures may be penalized even if not specifically covered by written rules.

Table Conduct

Players must not:

• Discuss an active hand when not involved.
• Reveal folded cards during a live hand.
• Offer strategic advice during a hand.
• Stall play intentionally.
• Distract other players deliberately.
• Handle chips or cards in a manner that disrupts the game.

Players are expected to:

• Act in turn.
• Keep cards visible and protected.
• Maintain awareness of the game.
• Follow dealer and staff instructions.

Alcohol, Drugs, Smoking and Vaping

To ensure a comfortable environment for all players, the following are prohibited within designated poker playing areas:

• Smoking.
• Vaping.
• Illegal drug use.
• Possession or distribution of illegal substances.

Players who are visibly intoxicated, impaired, disruptive, or unable to participate responsibly may be removed from play without refund.

Weapons and Safety

Legends Poker maintains a zero-tolerance approach to weapons and threats.

The following are prohibited:

• Firearms.
• Knives (unless legally carried for occupational purposes and approved by venue management).
• Imitation weapons.
• Any item used to threaten or intimidate others.

Any threat of violence or possession of a prohibited weapon may result in immediate removal from the venue and referral to law enforcement.

Anti-Harassment Policy

Harassment of any form is prohibited.

Examples include:

• Unwanted physical contact.
• Repeated unwelcome comments.
• Sexual harassment.
• Offensive gestures.
• Persistent intimidation.
• Online harassment related to Legends Poker events.

Legends Poker reserves the right to investigate complaints and take disciplinary action regardless of whether the conduct occurs in person or through social media and electronic communications connected to club activities.

Reporting Concerns

Players are encouraged to report concerns to the Tournament Director or designated Legends Poker representative as soon as possible.

All reports will be treated seriously and investigated appropriately.

Final Authority

Tournament Directors and Legends Poker management retain final authority regarding rule interpretation, player conduct, penalties, and participation eligibility.

Participation in any Legends Poker event constitutes acceptance of this Code of Conduct and all tournament rules.

Compliance, Discipline, Complaints and Appeals

This section outlines how Legends Poker manages Code of Conduct breaches, complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions, and appeals to ensure a safe, fair, and respectful environment for all participants.

1. Disciplinary Action

Legends Poker reserves the right to impose penalties for any violation of this Code of Conduct.

Disciplinary Measures

Serious violations may result in immediate escalation to disqualification, suspension, or permanent ban without warning.

2. Serious Misconduct

Examples of Conduct That May Result in Immediate Removal

The following conduct may result in immediate disqualification, removal from the venue, suspension, or permanent ban:

• Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or discriminatory conduct.
• Threats of violence.
• Physical altercations.
• Possession of weapons.
• Cheating.
• Collusion.
• Theft.
• Harassment or stalking.
• Deliberate damage to venue property.
• Repeated refusal to follow staff instructions.

3. Complaints and Reporting

Legends Poker is committed to providing a safe, fair, respectful, and enjoyable environment for all participants. Members, guests, venue staff, and officials are encouraged to report any conduct that may breach this Code of Conduct, tournament rules, league policies, or applicable laws.

Submitting a Complaint

Complaints may be made:

• Directly to a Tournament Director or Legends Poker official during an event.
• In writing via email or other designated Legends Poker reporting channels.
• As soon as reasonably practicable after the incident occurs.

Where possible, complaints should include:

• The name(s) of the person(s) involved.
• The date, time, and location of the incident.
• A description of the conduct or incident.
• Any supporting evidence, including photographs, messages, or witness details.

Anonymous complaints may be considered where sufficient information is provided; however, Legends Poker may be limited in its ability to investigate or take action.

Investigation of Complaints

Legends Poker may:

• Gather statements from those involved and relevant witnesses.
• Review available evidence.
• Consult venue management where appropriate.
• Take interim action where necessary to protect participants, venues, or the integrity of competition.

All complaints will be assessed on their individual circumstances. Legends Poker is not required to disclose confidential information obtained during an investigation.

Complaint Outcomes

Following an investigation, Legends Poker may:

• Determine that no further action is required.
• Provide education, guidance, or mediation.
• Issue warnings or penalties.
• Disqualify a participant from an event.
• Suspend or permanently ban a participant.
• Refer matters to venue management, regulatory authorities, or police where appropriate.

4. Appeals Process

Legends Poker recognises that participants may wish to seek a review of certain disciplinary decisions.

Decisions Eligible for Appeal

A participant may appeal:

• Suspensions.
• Permanent bans.
• Major disciplinary sanctions imposed outside of in-game rulings.

Tournament rulings, dealer decisions, and decisions necessary for the immediate operation of an event are final once play has continued, except where Legends Poker determines that a review is warranted.

Lodging an Appeal

Appeals must:

• Be submitted in writing.
• Be received within fourteen (14) days of notification of the decision.
• Clearly outline the grounds for appeal and include any supporting information.

An appeal should identify why the participant believes the decision was unreasonable, unsupported by the evidence, affected by a material error, or should be reconsidered in light of new evidence that was not previously available.

Appeal Review

Appeals will be reviewed by a person or panel not directly involved in the original decision where reasonably practicable.

The reviewer may:

• Uphold the original decision.
• Reduce the sanction.
• Increase the sanction where new information warrants it.
• Substitute another disciplinary outcome.
• Set aside the decision entirely.

Final Determination

The determination of the appeal reviewer or panel is final. No further internal appeal process is available.

5. Interim Protective Measures

Legends Poker reserves the right to take immediate action where required to protect the safety of participants, venue staff, guests, the integrity of competition, or the reputation of the league pending the outcome of any investigation or appeal.