PokerPages Freeplay Poker Cardroom

Abuse Policy

PokerPages prides itself in being a friendly environment, a 'class act'. Therefore we have implemented the following policy.

PokerPages will not allow its members to be abused by fellow members through the chat program on the PokerPages software, forum, profiles, or any other means of communication made available on the PokerPages Software or website.

In live casinos, inappropriate behavior is penalized and PokerPages does its best to recreate the live casino experience. This includes encouraging a friendly environment.

Because the nature of our online tournaments allows PokerPages to act only after the fact, we rely on other players and our own chat logs to report inappropriate behavior. This means that we cannot force a timeout as in live casinos. We CAN prevent abusive players from joining another tournament by deactivating their account, deduct from their bankroll, remove bankroll re-fill privileges and expel students. What happens to that player is determined by the severity of the situation.

To Report Abuse

Any player may report another player as long as they provide the hand number that the abuse happened. From there, we can go back and check the chat logs and see for ourselves if any abuse has taken place. When PokerPages receives a complaint from another player, sides will not be immediately taken. The behavior will be judged by what PokerPages finds offensive and not always by what the complainer finds offensive.

PokerPages makes the final determination of what happens to the reported player based on our chat log evidence and not by 'hear say'.

If a player is to be penalized for offensive language or behavior on the software program, a copy of the chat log will be emailed to that player along with a warning or penalty.

We do not necessarily need another player to report the behavior, although it is the fastest and surest way for action to be taken. Use our Live Help Button in the software to report another player.

Our chat logs also highlight offensive language so the PokerPages staff members check these logs daily for offenders. A player can get caught without ever having been reported by another player.

What Is Abuse and Its Penalties

Verbal abuse, harassment, and derogatory racial and/or sexual remarks will be penalized. Unfair practices concerning player disconnects cannot be addressed, as it is difficult to know the intent of the player.

We have separated what we consider abuse into the several categories below, including definitions and penalties.

Minor Slip-ups
Using the occasional curse word or phrase that are not directed towards any one player and not excessively used. The offending player will get a warning. 2 or 3 of these types of warnings could have penalties of bankroll deduction.

Types of words that we consider curse words include ones that are racial and/or sexually explicit. Words like f*** or c*** are not tolerated at all.

Although, many of these curse words will not show up on the chat screen, variations of spellings sometimes may. Variations are counted as 'curse words'. If a player tries to type a word into the chat and it does not show up on the chat screen, changing the spelling of that word so it does show up will be counted as a curse word. Please note- Just because a player can type in a curse word, it does not mean a word or phrase is not objectionable; if it is, action will be taken.

Major Slip-ups
Overly Use of Inappropriate Language. If after receiving 3 of the above warnings for Minor Slip Up's the inappropriate language still continues, or appears to be deliberate, then the player will be put into suspension of bankroll refill for 2 weeks and their bankroll will be reduced to $50.

If this behavior continues once this suspension has been lifted then the member's account will be closed, and they will not be welcome to play on our software.

Name Calling
Directing a curse word, offensive remark, racial remark, a personal threat not related to poker, or sexual explicit remark towards another player or players. The offending player will get a warning. If this happens a 2nd time then the player will be put into suspension of bankroll refill and their bankroll will be reduced to $50.

Harassment
This is considered to be very serious by PokerPages staff and the main reason why this policy is in place.

The member repeatedly uses verbal abuse towards another member or members continually even if asked to stop or it continues for a prolonged period of time or follows a fellow member into other events to continue the harassment.

An example of a severe case of harassment happened in our freeroll tournaments:

A player was continually harassing another player using verbal abuse and was knocked out by that player. The player who was knocked out came back as an observer and continued to verbally abuse the player who was still in the game. This not only upset the player that was being harassed but other players as well.

This immature behavior cannot be excused. It makes the gaming environment very unpleasant and, if unchecked, may ruin the enjoyment of all players. PokerPages has worked very hard for everyone to have a pleasant experience in its card rooms and will not tolerate these types of abusers.

Severe Penalties for anyone determined to have harassed another player may include severe bankroll deductions, refusal of bankroll refill, restrictions of tournaments, or expulsion without a refund of membership.

Verbal abuse includes:

Inappropriate language directed at another player with the obvious attempt to humiliate or degrade the other player.

Vicious and berating comments about another's play. (This does not include 'friendly advice').

Threatening bodily harm to another player or player's family and/or property.

Making sexual or racially insulting references or using degrading language.

Anyone receiving a warning and/or penalties will be directed to this page.