What Triggers a Redeal in Poker?

Introduction

Poker is a game of precision. Every card dealt carries weight. A single mistake in dealing can change the fairness of the game and the trust players place in the process. That’s where the concept of a ‘redeal’ comes into play

Though relatively rare, redeals are important safeguards in the game. They help correct major issues that compromise the integrity of the hand. But not every dealing mistake qualifies for a redeal. Understanding the difference between an acceptable error, a redeal-worthy situation, or a dead hand is essential for any serious poker player.

Let’s explore what redeals are and why they matter more than most players realize.

What is a Redeal in Poker?

A redeal is a formal decision to cancel the current hand and deal a new one from scratch. All cards are collected, the deck is reshuffled, and blinds or antes may or may not stay the same depending on the situation.

Unlike casual restarts in home games, redeals are governed by strict rules in both tournaments and cash games. They occur only when specific criteria are met, generally involving an error serious enough to invalidate the hand before meaningful action begins.

When Does a Redeal Happen?

Here are the key moments when a redeal can be triggered. Most of these occur during or immediately after the deal, but before players have acted (no bets, raises, or calls).

1. Incorrect Number of Cards Dealt to a Player

Every poker variant has specific rules about how many cards each player should receive. If someone is dealt too many or too few cards, and the error is caught early, the hand is usually redealt.

Example: In Texas Hold’em, each player must receive two hole cards. If one player receives only one, and no one has acted yet, it’s grounds for a redeal.

2. Exposed or Boxed Cards During the Deal

If a hole card is accidentally flipped face-up during the deal, or if a boxed card (a card face-up in the deck) is dealt out instead of being skipped, it can compromise the hand.

Some card rooms allow a replacement card in limited cases, but if multiple cards are exposed, or if players gain information they shouldn’t, a full redeal is the safest remedy.

3. Cards Dealt to a Player Not in the Hand

A player who is sitting out, missed the blinds, or is not eligible to receive cards (e.g., they haven’t posted a required ante) might be mistakenly dealt in. If this is caught before any betting, a redeal is usually the cleanest fix.

4. Wrong Deck or Damaged Cards

Sometimes a deck has a manufacturing defect (like a duplicate card), is missing a card, or contains cards from another deck. If caught before action, this almost always leads to a redeal.

5. Dealer or Button Misplacement

If the dealer button or blinds are positioned incorrectly and the hand proceeds based on that setup, a redeal may be required, but only if it’s discovered early enough.

6. Software Errors (Online Poker)

In online poker, redeals are rare but may be triggered automatically if a system glitch, lag spike, or card rendering issue occurs before betting. The software recognizes the error and resets the hand server-side.

When a Redeal is NOT Allowed

Once major action has occurred in a hand, a redeal is typically off the table.

What qualifies as a major action?

• At least two players have acted (bet, raise, call).
• The flop or community cards have been dealt.
• Chips have entered the pot through voluntary betting.

In these cases, the hand must usually proceed. Depending on the situation, the floor or tournament director might issue warnings or disqualify a hand, but they won’t rewind to a redeal unless the error is critical and affects all players.

Redeal vs Misdeal:

While both involve cancelling and restarting a hand, they are not identical. Here’s the core difference:

Tournament Redeals vs Cash Game Redeals

The context of the game greatly affects how redeals are handled.

In Tournaments:

• Redeals are rare and must adhere strictly to the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) rules to ensure fairness and consistency.
• Any decision regarding a redeal rests solely with the tournament director, whose ruling is final and binding.
• Blinds and player positions are generally preserved, unless the dealing error directly compromises the seating or order of play.
• The tournament clock continues to run during most redeals, unless the floor explicitly pauses it for procedural reasons.

In Cash Games:

• Redeals are handled more flexibly, often based on the house policy or the dealer’s discretion in consultation with players.
• If no chips have entered the pot, players may agree informally to void and redeal the hand without escalating to a formal ruling.
• Depending on the situation, the blinds and dealer button may be repositioned to restore fairness or correct a mistake.

Why Redeals Matter Strategically

Even though redeals are procedural, they have emotional and strategic ripples:

Mind Games

A player who received pocket aces before a redeal might carry that emotional boost, or loss, into the next hand. Others may try to read reactions or expressions during a voided deal.

Information Leaks

If any card was exposed before the redeal, sharp players might take mental notes, even though technically, that knowledge should be discarded.

Player Confidence

Properly handled redeals build trust in the game. Mishandled or inconsistent decisions, however, can create friction or accusations of bias.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly triggers a redeal in poker?

A redeal occurs when a major issue disrupts the initial deal, making the hand invalid. Common triggers include a player getting too many or too few cards, cards being dealt to someone not in the hand, or the discovery of a damaged or incomplete deck. In such cases, the deal is voided, and the hand is restarted to maintain fairness and proper gameplay.

How is a redeal different from a misdeal?

A misdeal happens due to a procedural mistake while dealing. A redeal, on the other hand, cancels the entire hand due to a larger irregularity, like dealing extra cards or using the wrong deck. While both result in restarting the hand, redeals are ruled by the floor and may occur after the deal is complete but before betting.

Can a redeal happen after betting has started?

Generally, no. Once major action occurs, like two or more players acting, or community cards being dealt, a redeal is not allowed. The hand must proceed unless the error is so severe that the entire hand’s fairness is compromised. In such cases, the hand might be declared dead, or the floor might issue a special ruling, but a full redeal is rare after betting begins.

Conclusion

The redeal ensures that the game is played under fair, correct conditions. It’s a reset button that poker reluctantly, but wisely, keeps ready for those moments when the game’s flow gets disrupted by human error or chance. While players may be disappointed when they lose a premium hand to a redeal, most would agree that it's better to restart than to proceed with a broken hand.