# Table Stakes, Highest-Denomination Chip Visibility, And Going South (Ratholing) Rules | Official Poker Floor Ruling

> Source: [Table Stakes, Chip Visibility & Going South Rules on Smarter.Poker](https://smarter.poker/rules/chip-visibility-and-table-stakes-rules) | Official Reference: TDA Rule 25 / RROP Section 3: Table Stakes

## Direct Answer & Summary Ruling
All Chips On The Table Must Remain Clearly Visible With Highest-Denomination Chips In Front Or On Top; Removing Chips From Play ("Going South" Or "Ratholing") Or Adding Chips Mid-Hand Is Strictly Prohibited.

## Official Casino Floor & TDA Ruling
Under TDA Rule 25 (Visible And Countable Chips) And RROP Table Stakes Rules, Players Must Keep Their Entire Chip Stack Visible, Countable, And Organized In Clean Stacks (Standard 20 Chips Per Stack) With The Highest-Denomination Chips Clearly Positioned Where All Opponents Can See Them At All Times. Under Table Stakes Rules, Only Chips And Approved Cash Equivalents Sitting On The Table Before The First Card Of A Hand Is Dealt Are In Play For That Hand. In Cash Games, Players May Never Remove Chips From Their Stack To Reduce Their Exposure ("Going South" Or "Ratholing") Without Leaving The Game For The House Minimum Cool-Down Period (Typically 60 To 120 Minutes).

## Common Live Table Scenarios & Rulings
1. **Scenario**: A Player Hides Two 5,000-Value Chips Behind A Wall Of 100-Value Chips, And An Opponent Shoves Thinking The Player Only Has 2,000 Total.
   - **Official Ruling**: Violation Of TDA Rule 25. While The Hidden Chips Are Generally Still In Play If They Were On The Table, The Offending Player Is Subject To A Severe Floor Penalty And Must Immediately Bring All High-Value Chips To The Front.
2. **Scenario**: In A $2/$5 Cash Game, A Player Runs A $500 Buy-In Up To $1,800 And Tries To Put $1,000 Into Their Pocket While Continuing To Play.
   - **Official Ruling**: Illegal Going South (Ratholing). The Floor Requires The Player ToEither Return The $1,000 To The Table Stack Or Cash Out Completely And Wait The Mandatory Re-Buy Time Period.
3. **Scenario**: During A Hand On The Flop, A Player Pulls Five Extra $100 Bills Out Of Their Wallet To Call An Opponent's All-In.
   - **Official Ruling**: Under Table Stakes Rules, Money Not On The Table Before The First Card Was Dealt Cannot Play In The Current Hand.

## Frequently Asked Questions
### Am I Entitled To Ask An Opponent How Many Chips They Have Left?
Under TDA Rule 25, You Are Always Entitled To A Clear Visual View Of An Opponent's Stacks (With Big Chips Front And Center), Though The Dealer Will Only Count Out An Exact Stack Amount Once A Bet Or All-In Has Been Made.

### Can I Pay For Food Or Tips From My Cash Game Table Stack?
Most Live Cardrooms Allow Small Incidental Deductions For Dealer Tips, Food, And Beverages From Your Table Stack Provided You Are Not Currently In An Active Hand.

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