The WSOP: What Are the Big Rule Changes in 2025?

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) kicked off on May 27, much to the delight of the poker fans around the world.

While the core spirit of the game remains untouched, some vital updates have been introduced to encourage fairer play, a smoother flow, and a more respectful environment.

Think of it as fine-tuning a high-performance machine, where small adjustments make a big difference.

Here are six essential tweaks and clarifications players absolutely need to be aware of while playing at one of the most prestigious tables in poker.

1. Getting Banned: Rule 18 means behaviour matters more than ever

Good sportsmanship has gone from being a suggestion to a serious requirement.

Rule 18 is a clear message to all participants: play nice! The WSOP now has the explicit power to ban players before, during, or after a tournament for reasons ranging from blatant cheating to abusive behaviour.

What’s more, if you're already excluded from any Caesars Entertainment property – whether by trespass, a government program, or even self-exclusion – you're simply not eligible to participate in any WSOP Event.

The tournament bosses created the rule change in a bid to create a more respectful community around the event and like with the responsible gambling initiatives or unconventional payment methods at online casinos nowadays, the aim is to prioritize player´s preferences, even the unusual ones.

2. A new no-show policy

Remember those dramatic entrances? The legendary Phil Hellmuth, for instance, might need to pay close attention to Rule 16 this year.

This rule is a big deal for anyone who registers but likes to make a grand entrance later in the day. If you sign up and aren't in your seat by the start of the first level after the initial official break, your stack will be removed from play, and you'll be out of that event.

The barred player will get their buy-in refunded, though, and taken out of the prize pool, but the opportunity to play will be gone.

Last year offered a bit more leeway, allowing players until the start of the third level. This new, tighter policy applies across all games, regardless of blind level length. Punctuality is now top of the agenda!

3. A ban on electronic devices in the later stages

Last summer, defending world champion Jonathan Tamayo found himself at the centre of a minor controversy when his rail was seen viewing poker "sims" on a laptop during play.

While he never actually used real-time assistance (RTA) tools during a hand, the optics were enough to ruffle some feathers at the WSOP. They have responded with a crucial new policy: once participants reach the final three tables in any tournament, all approved electronic devices must be put away.

An announcement will be made at this stage, and failing to follow the rule could lead to severe penalties, even disqualification.

The aim is to keep the focus purely on the players' skills at the table and “maintain the integrity of the game.”

4. A fresh start at crucial stages

In previous years, the button redraw was reserved exclusively for the final table.

Rule 85 for 2025 shakes things up a bit. The button will now start with the first chip stack to the dealer’s right at the beginning of an event. More importantly, there will be a redraw for the button when there are just three, two, and one table(s) remaining.

The tournament will use a "dead button" – meaning the button cannot be advanced if a player is eliminated or a new participant is seated between the small blind and the button.

It’s a subtle but significant change that should distribute positional advantage more fairly during critical parts of the tournament.

5. The cost of evasion

Trying to strategically avoid paying your blinds when moving tables used to incur a penalty.

Now, Rule 86 spells out the consequences with crystal clarity. If a player intentionally dodges their blinds when moving from an existing seat, they will forfeit both blinds (plus the big blind ante, if applicable) and receive a one-round penalty.

It means trying to outsmart the system when switching tables will now cost you two full rounds of blinds, a much steeper price than simply following the rules from the get-go.

6. Silence is golden (mostly)

Rule 116 is arguably the most hotly debated rule in the entire rulebook, and for good reason!

The 2024 rule outlawed discussing strategy with an outside source (like a coach on the rail) while in a hand. That has now been tightened.

Players are no longer permitted to discuss poker strategies with an outside source at any time while the tournament clock is running, and participants are not on break. This means the only legal window for receiving coaching during a tournament this year will be during designated breaks.

Floor managers will surely find enforcing this to be a big challenge as distinguishing strategy discussions from casual dinner plans needs a keen ear.

So, what did you think of these rule changes? The WSOP says they’re designed to create a fair, professional environment for all. However, some people will surely say they make the tournament less fun. One thing’s for sure: the 2026 tournament is likely to bring further changes when it rolls around in less than a year’s time!