Players:
1) Connecting entrepreneurs and investors is at the heart of Startup Haven and of Startup Poker 2.0… its raison d’etre. All of these codes of conduct are intended solely for the purpose of ensuring that Poker 2.0 remains a fun, social event and a valuable networking resource for the Seattle startup community.
2) Always be respectful of other players and remember that the primary reason you’re there is to build and foster relationships and not to win money. This the primary reason that folks get dropped off of the invite list so behave and don’t be a jerk or you’ll be out too.
3) Poker 2.0 is not intended for professional or serious amateur players, unless they just want hang out with the rest of us donkeys and have fun. More experienced players are expected to help new and less-experienced players figure out the rules, strategy and etiquette.
4) Players who whine about bad beats, act out when they loose or are in general too serious or aggressive about their poker may not be invited back. Players who are generally rude, anti-social or just can’t seem to figure out how to have a good time may not be invited back.
5) While Poker 2.0 is a casual, low stakes game, all players are expected to follow the house rules and seek to peaceably resolve conflicts.
6) Poker 2.0 is made possible by the generosity of sponsors who will also sometimes play at the tables with the rest of us. Poker 2.0 is committed to limiting the number non-essential sponsors who attend; please say thanks and make an effort to understand what they do.
Sponsors:
1) Non-profit organizations that support startups are always welcome at the tables, whether or not they are financial supporters of Poker 2.0. Non-profit organizations are encourage to engage players in any professional manner that helps sustain their mission to support startups.
2) As a supporter of Poker 2.0 and, by extension, the startup community, for-profit sponsors are also welcome at the tables! For-profit sponsors are encouraged to engage players in a professional manner and to offer help and advice. However, overt or aggressive marketing is not appropriate. Sponsors are best served by considering Poker 2.0 as an opportunity to build relationships with the core tech startup community and not as an opportunity for lead generation — so have fun and make some friends!
Bankers and Lawyers:
1) It takes a village to raise a startup and bankers and attorneys specializing in startups are an essential part of the village. While technically “for-profit service providers”, they contribute substantially to the success of startups and routinely provide gratis advice and are important network connectors.
