What is a Misdeal in Poker?

Introduction

Poker is a game of precision, but human error is inevitable. One of the most common dealer mistakes is ‘misdeal’, which can disrupt the game and require immediate correction.

In this blog, we will explore what constitutes a misdeal, how it is handled, and how it differs from other irregularities.

What is a Misdeal in Poker?

A misdeal occurs when a critical mistake happens during the dealing of cards, rendering the hand invalid before any major betting action takes place. When a misdeal is declared, the cards are reshuffled, and the hand is redealt as if it never happened.

Misdeals can occur in both home games and casino poker, but the way they are handled can vary depending on house rules. Some casinos are stricter in defining a misdeal, while home games might allow minor errors to be corrected without restarting the hand.

Common Causes of a Misdeal

Several factors can lead to a misdeal, most of which occur because of dealer errors. Below are the most frequent reasons why a hand might be declared a misdeal:

1. Incorrect Number of Cards Dealt

Each poker variant has a strict rule regarding the number of cards each player should receive. If the dealer mistakenly gives a player too many or too few cards, the hand is typically ruled a misdeal.

Example in Texas Hold’em:

Each player should receive two hole cards. If a player accidentally gets three, it is a misdeal.

Example in Seven-Card Stud:

Players are supposed to receive seven cards in total. If a player receives only six or an extra card is mistakenly dealt, a misdeal is declared.

2. Exposed Cards During the Deal

If the dealer accidentally flips one or more cards face up while dealing, this can result in a misdeal. However, the handling of an exposed card depends on the game being played.

Example in Texas Hold’em:

If only one hole card is exposed, the dealer replaces it with the next card in the deck and the exposed card becomes the burn card.

If two or more hole cards are exposed, a misdeal is declared.

Example in Seven-Card Stud:

If either of the first two down cards is exposed, it is an automatic misdeal.

3. Dealing Out of Turn

If the dealer mistakenly deals a card to the wrong player or skips a player during the initial deal, a misdeal is declared.

Example in a Six-Handed Game:

The dealer deals two cards to Player 1, skips Player 2, and then continues.

Since Player 2 did not receive the proper number of cards, a misdeal must be declared, and the hand is redealt.

4. Incorrect Number of Players Dealt In

If the dealer mistakenly deals a hand to a player who is not in the game or forgets to deal to an active player, a misdeal is declared.

Example in a Tournament:

A player has just been eliminated, but the dealer accidentally deals a hand to that now-empty seat.

Since an inactive seat has received cards, the hand is misdealt.

5. An Incomplete or Faulty Deck

A misdeal can also occur if there is an issue with the deck itself such as:

• The deck is missing one or more cards.
• There are duplicate cards in the deck (e.g., two Queens of Hearts).
• The deck is improperly shuffled, leading to clumped cards.

Example:

A game is in progress when a player notices that two Kings of Diamonds have been dealt. This is an immediate misdeal, as the deck is faulty.

6. Cards Being Mucked Too Early

If players fold or discard their cards prematurely due to a misunderstanding, a misdeal may be declared.

Example:

The dealer is still in the middle of dealing when Player 3 folds, thinking that the action has started. Since the player has acted before receiving their proper hand, a misdeal is called.

7. House Rule Violations

Different casinos or home games may have unique rules that determine when a misdeal should be declared.

Example:

Some home games require blinds to be posted before the dealer starts dealing. If the dealer starts dealing before blinds are posted, the hand is a misdeal.

What Happens After a Misdeal?

When a misdeal is declared, the following steps are taken:

• The dealer collects all cards, including the community cards if any were dealt.
• The deck is reshuffled to prevent any potential unfair advantages.
• The same player remains the dealer, and the hand is re-dealt.
• Any bets placed before the misdeal are refunded, as the hand is considered void.

Misdeal vs. Other Poker Irregularities

A misdeal is different from other mistakes that occur after betting action has started. If a mistake happens after betting begins, the hand is usually played with corrections instead of being redealt.

Key Differences Between a Misdeal and Other Errors

Examples of Non-Misdeal Errors:

Situation 1: A player acts out of turn. The game continues, and the out-of-turn action may be binding.

Situation 2: A dealer mistakenly burns too many cards.  The hand continues, using the correct procedure.

Situation 3: A card is accidentally exposed on the flop, turn, or river.  The card is replaced, but the hand continues.

How Misdeals Are Handled in Different Poker Variants

1. Texas Hold’em & Omaha

If only one hole card is exposed, then the dealer replaces it.

If multiple hole cards are exposed or other major errors occur, it is a misdeal.

2. Seven-Card Stud

If either of the first two down cards is exposed, the dealer must declare a misdeal.

If a player receives the wrong number of cards, the hand must be redealt.

3. Home Games vs. Casino Games

Home Games: More flexibility with minor dealer errors.

Casinos: Strict rules; mistakes often result in a misdeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a misdeal is declared in a poker tournament?

In a tournament, if a misdeal is declared, the dealer collects all cards, reshuffles, and redeals. The button and blinds stay the same, and any chips wagered are refunded. However, if betting has already begun, the hand is usually played with corrections instead of being redealt.

Can a player request a misdeal?

A player can point out a dealing error, but only the dealer or floor supervisor (in a casino) can officially declare a misdeal. If betting has already occurred, a misdeal is unlikely to be granted.

Is a single exposed card always a misdeal?

No, in Texas Hold’em, if only one hole card is exposed during the deal, it is replaced with the next card from the deck, and the exposed card becomes a burn card. A misdeal occurs if multiple hole cards are exposed.

Does a misdeal affect the betting order?

No, after a misdeal, the dealer button, blinds, and betting order remain the same. The game resets, and players receive new hole cards with the same positions.

Conclusion

Misdeals in poker are an inevitable part of the game, often caused by dealer errors or irregularities in the dealing process. While they can momentarily disrupt play, understanding the rules and proper handling of misdeals ensures fairness and maintains the integrity of the game.