The World Series of Poker has released some “minor tweaks” to the rules that govern their tournaments.  The most noticeable change deals with the use of cell phones at the table.

Management has taken into consideration that many players have a following on social networks like Twitter and Facebook and therefore have decided to allow players to text when they are not in a hand.

Rule number 55 states:

All cell phones and other voice-enabled and “ringing” electronic devices must be turned off during tournament play.  Players not involved in a hand (cards in muck) shall be permitted to text/email at the table, but shall not be permitted to text/email any other player at the table. If Rio, acting in its sole and absolute discretion, believes a player is communicating with another player at the table, both parties will be immediately disqualified from the tournament and face imposition of additional penalties as described in Rule 37.  All players desiring to talk on a cell phone must be at least one table length away from their assigned table during all said communication. Those individuals who talk on a cell phone not at least one table length away from their assigned table shall be subject to a penalty to be determined by Tournament Staff. No cell phones or other electronic communication device can be placed on a poker table.

The WSOP will continue to track penalties issued, a system that was implemented in the 2009 World Series.  Last year, a total of 186 penalties were tracked, or an average of 3.72 a day during the 2009 WSOP. Penalties ranged from warnings to disqualification from the tournament and removal from the premises. The most common penalty imposed was a one-round penalty and the range of infractions included: exposing hand, acting out of turn, removing chips from the table, abusive language, excessive celebration, soft play, cell phone use, throwing cards, dealer abuse and discussing the content of a hand.

“Poker has evolved exponentially the last decade, and with so many new players to the game, it’s important that we as tournament officials, dealers and players are all familiar with the rules,” said Vice President of International Poker Operations and World Series of Poker Tournament Director Jack Effel in a release to the media. “We believe that as the industry leader, it’s important for us at the WSOP to have the most comprehensive rules in the game today.”

The entire set of rules for the 2010 World Series of Poker can be downloaded here.