Verb

To play hands in the blind and button positions, especially prior to changing seats.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Blind games allow players in certain positions to see cards without contributing any money to the pot. Dealing off is intended to prevent players from switching seats for the purpose of unfairly gaining more of these free hands. It is typically not required if changing to a seat position that would reduce the number of free hands remaining before the player is required to post the blinds.

EXAMPLE: "I wanted to move to the seat on the left of the maniac, but I had to wait to deal off before changing."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

GAME CATEGORY: Shared Card Games

RELATED TERMS: Blind, Position, Seat Position

Verb

To declare that one will be leaving the table prior to participating in one's last hand or one's last few hands.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Dealing off is a general courtesy for several reasons. First, it lets players know they only have one or a few chances left to win back any money they lost to the player who is leaving. Second, knowing in advance that the seat will be vacated allows the house to fill the seat again more quickly.

EXAMPLE: "After I won my last huge pot, I decided to deal off. I wanted to wait until just before I was required to post the blinds before leaving, and thought it would be rude to hit and run."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

ANTONYMS: Hit and Run