There is a widespread misconception that any card exposed to a player in the blinds is a misdeal. The actual rule, though, is that if either of the first two cards off the deck is exposed, a misdeal is declared.
The exact misdeal scenario from the Poker Tournament Directors Association website is expressed this way:
“if either of the first 2 cards dealt off the deck or any other 2 downcards are exposed by dealer error”
This means that when the players in the blinds are receiving their second card, an exposed card does not trigger a misdeal.
It also means that, if there is no small blind and the first card dealt to the first-to-act player is exposed, a misdeal is declared. (This could be after a player is eliminated, or after players are moved to re-balance tables.)
So the key phrase to remember is this: “If one of the first two cards off the deck is exposed, it is a misdeal.”
Other Misdeals
From the Poker Tournament Director’s Association website, here are some other situations in which a misdeal should be declared:
- two or more boxed cards on the initial deal (a boxed card is a card face-up in the deck)
- cards dealt to a seat not entitled to a hand
- a seat entitled to a hand is dealt out
