🎴 Card Dealing & Stop Rules
This screen controls two critical aspects of your event:
How many cards are dealt per hand
How participants move between stops
Setting this correctly ensures fairness, proper sequencing, and a smooth participant experience.
📍 Where to Find It
Manage Events → Select Event → Edit Card Dealing
🎴 Step 1: Set Total Cards Per Hand
Select how many cards each hand receives (5–10).
Important Rules
Once the first hand is sold or created, this setting is locked.
If Extra Cards are enabled in Sales & Event Items:
Maximum here is 9 cards (extra card brings total to 10).
If Extra Cards are disabled:
You may select up to 10 cards.
Some formats (like 18-hole golf events) are fixed 10-card formats and do not allow extra cards.
All hands are ranked using the best 5-card poker hand.
Plan carefully before opening registration.
🃏 Step 2: Choose Card Distribution Method
Option | Description | Best For |
QR Code Scan (Default) | Participants scan a QR code at each stop to receive a card. | Most in-person events |
Time Released | Cards are automatically dealt at scheduled stop times. | Virtual or loosely timed events |
GPS Release | Cards are dealt when participants physically arrive at a stop using device GPS. | Adventure runs, distance events |
💡 QR Code scanning is the most reliable option for large in-person events.
⏱ Setting Up Time Released Cards
When you select Time Released, each stop needs a scheduled release time configured. Cards are automatically dealt to all registered participants when that stop's release time arrives — no scanning or tapping required.
How to Configure Release Times
Release times are set on each stop individually after selecting Time Released here:
Select Time Released on this screen and tap Next
Go to Manage Events → Select Event → Event Stops
Tap the ellipsis (⋯) next to a stop and choose Edit
Set the Arrival Time for that stop — this is when the card will be automatically dealt
Tap Save
Repeat for every stop
⚠️ Every stop must have an arrival time set. Stops without a configured time will not deal cards automatically.
How It Works for Participants
Cards appear in participants' hands automatically at each stop's scheduled time — no action needed from them
Participants must be registered before a stop's release time to receive that card automatically
Cards for each stop appear one by one as each stop's scheduled time passes
Participants who register after a stop's release time has already passed will have their catch-up behavior determined by your Stop Order Rules setting
Tips
Space stop times to create a natural event flow (e.g., every 30–60 minutes)
Set all stop arrival times before opening registration so participants know when to expect their cards
This method works well for virtual events or scenarios where participants are spread across different locations
🚦 Step 3: Choose Stop Order Rules
Option | Description | Best For |
Ordered Stops with Catch-Up (Default) | Stops must be visited in order. If a participant skips a stop, missed cards are automatically dealt at the next scan. | Traditional poker runs |
Ordered Stops | Stops must be visited in order. Missed stops are not automatically caught up but may be revisited. | Events requiring tighter control |
Pick Your Own Route | Stops can be visited in any order. | Bar crawls, scavenger hunts |
Ordered Stops with No Skipping | Strict enforcement — stops must be visited in order. Participants who skip a stop cannot check in at that stop later and will not receive a card for it. | Controlled route events |
📅 Multi-Day Events
If your event spans multiple days:
Stops can be assigned to specific dates.
Catch-up behavior respects daily scheduling.
Participants joining later may automatically catch up depending on your stop rule selection.
Multi-day configuration works together with stop order rules to ensure correct sequencing.
⚠️ Interaction With Event Closure
Stop and card rules apply only while the event is active.
Once you:
Close registration → No new hands are sold.
Close the event → Card dealing immediately stops and leaderboard freezes.
After closing, you may optionally Deal Remaining Cards to eligible participants.
▶️ Next Steps
Tap Next to proceed to stop creation.
🧠 Best Practices
Finalize card count before opening registration.
Use QR scanning for high-volume in-person events.
If using Time Released, set all stop arrival times before opening registration.
Test GPS release before event day.
Choose stop rules that match your event style and logistics.
❓ Need Help?
Questions about stop rules, GPS, or card configuration?
👉 help.acespokerrun.com