Game Host Rules

Last Updated: July 5, 2026


Effective Date: July 5, 2026


These Game Host Rules (“Host Rules”) apply to every user who creates or hosts a game on Tablemate. By publishing a game listing, you agree to these Host Rules in addition to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Safety Policy.


Hosting is a serious responsibility. You control the physical environment where strangers meet. Violations may result in listing removal, loss of hosting privileges, account suspension, permanent ban, and cooperation with authorities.


1. ELIGIBILITY TO HOST

1.1 Verification

  • You must be ID-verified through our Persona flow (id_verified on your account) to create and host games, unless we expressly grant an exception in writing.

  • Verification confirms identity under our configuration—it is not a background check. You remain responsible for player safety.

1.2 Age

  • You must be 21+. No minors at games or in playing areas.

1.3 Geography

  • You must be within approved service geography when creating games (the app enforces California boundaries for certain game features using device location).

  • Do not spoof location to create listings you could not legally or practically host.

1.4 Account standing

  • Your account must be in good standing. Suspended or banned users may not host.

1.5 Legal capacity to use the space

  • Host only where you have legal right to occupy and invite guests (your home, leased space with permission, etc.).

  • Comply with zoning, occupancy, HOA/lease rules, noise ordinances, and fire codes.


2. CREATING LISTINGS

2.1 Required accuracy

Every material field must be truthful:


Field

Requirement

Title

Clear description of game style

Date / time

Correct local start time

Location

Correct city/coordinates for distance features

Stakes / buy-in

Accurate description (e.g., “1/2 NL,” “50 buy-in tournament”)

Capacity

Realistic max players

Game type

Correct cash vs. tournament (and tournament metadata if applicable)

Notes

House rules, parking, entry, alcohol, guest policy, rake/time charge if any

2.2 Prohibited listings

  • Fake, test, or duplicate spam listings;

  • Games illegal where hosted;

  • Listings primarily to advertise unrelated businesses, dating, or other apps;

  • Listings designed to harvest contact data for off-platform scams.

2.3 Changes and cancellations

  • Update listings promptly when details change; notify approved players of material changes (time, stakes, venue type).

  • Cancel as early as possible if the game will not run. Repeated last-minute cancellations may restrict hosting.

2.4 Finalization window

  • The Service may close new seat requests a fixed number of hours before start (currently five hours before game time). Finalize your roster before the cutoff and communicate arrival details to approved players.


3. PLAYER REQUESTS, ROSTER, WAITLIST, AND INVITES

3.1 Timely decisions

  • Approve or decline seat requests promptly. Players should not wait indefinitely.

  • Approve or decline waitlist requests when players ask to join a full game’s waitlist.

3.2 Non-discrimination

  • You may reject requests at your discretion except for unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or other protected characteristics under applicable law.

  • Patterns of discriminatory rejection may lead to enforcement.

3.3 Waitlist

  • When a game is full, players may request to join the waitlist. Confirm waitlist requests when appropriate.

  • When a seat opens, add the next confirmed waitlister in good faith. Approve pending roster requests before promoting waitlisters when the app requires it.

  • Do not use waitlists to harass or bait users.

3.4 Invitations

  • You may invite players you follow or who follow you using in-app invite tools, subject to verification and game rules.

  • Invited players must accept before joining. Do not pressure users to accept invites they declined.

  • You may cancel a pending invite before it is accepted.

3.5 Removing players

  • You may remove players before game day for legitimate reasons (capacity, safety, rule violations) through Service tools where available.

  • Do not remove players in retaliation for honest reviews or reports.

3.6 No-shows

  • You may note no-shows in reviews. Do not threaten, extort, or harass no-show players.


4. VENUE, ADDRESS, AND PRIVACY

4.1 Venue safety

  • Adequate seating, lighting, ventilation, and egress for your guest count;

  • Reasonably clean and safe conditions;

  • No known serious hazards you fail to disclose.

4.2 Address handling

  • Do not put your full street address in public listing fields meant for city-level discovery.

  • The Platform discloses precise addresses only under its rules (typically to approved players, on or near game day).

  • Never ask players to share or screenshot addresses in public channels.

4.3 Coordinates

  • Pin accurate map coordinates so distance features work. Misleading pins harm players and trust.

4.4 Entry and security

  • Provide clear entry instructions only to approved participants when appropriate.

  • Protect door codes and smart-lock credentials—change codes if compromised.


5. CONDUCT AT YOUR GAME

5.1 Your duty of care

You are responsible for reasonable safety and conduct in space you control, including:


  • Setting expectations at the door;

  • Monitoring alcohol if served;

  • Stopping harassment, cheating, or violence;

  • Asking unsafe guests to leave;

  • Calling 911 for emergencies.

5.2 Alcohol

  • If alcohol is served, comply with law; do not serve underage guests;

  • Encourage responsible consumption;

  • Understand you may bear civil liability for alcohol-related injuries on your premises.

5.3 Illegal substances

  • Prohibited. End the game and report if necessary.

5.4 Stakes and money

  • Disclose all fees (rake, time charge, house fee) before play;

  • Tablemate does not process buy-ins or payouts;

  • Do not pressure players into stakes they declined;

  • Do not use games to lend money at predatory terms.

5.5 Fair rules

  • Apply house rules consistently;

  • Do not change rules mid-hand to target a player.


6. COMMUNICATION AND NOTIFICATIONS

6.1 Respond to reasonable pre-game questions in Tablemate messaging.


6.2 Use group/game chat features respectfully—no spam or harassment. Game group chats may become read-only after the game start time plus a defined window (e.g., 24 hours).


6.3 Players may receive push notifications about approvals, waitlist updates, messages, and roster changes. Send only good-faith updates; do not spam.


6.4 Do not move coordination to off-platform channels to bypass blocks, reporting, or address-disclosure rules.


7. REVIEWS AND REPUTATION

7.1 Players may review you after eligible games. Reviews must reflect real experiences.


7.2 Do not harass, bribe, or threaten anyone to change reviews.


7.3 Do not post false retaliatory reviews about players.


8. PROHIBITED HOST CONDUCT

Includes but is not limited to:


  • Misleading or fraudulent listings;

  • Discrimination;

  • Harassment, threats, or violence;

  • Unsafe or unauthorized venues;

  • Allowing minors;

  • Illegal gambling or unlicensed commercial gambling operations where prohibited;

  • Facilitating illegal drugs;

  • Sharing player personal information outside the Platform without consent;

  • Soliciting off-platform payments to evade safety tools or fees;

  • Circumventing bans or verification;

  • Retaliation against reporters or reviewers;

  • Cheating as host or tolerating known collusion without action;

  • Ignoring pending requests or waitlist obligations to manipulate roster priority.


9. REPORTING AND COOPERATION

  • Report serious incidents to support@tablemate.site (“Safety Report”) with facts and user/game identifiers.

  • Cooperate with law enforcement when crimes occur.

  • Preserve your own notes (times, descriptions) if you pursue legal remedies personally.


10. ENFORCEMENT AND APPEALS

10.1 We may remove listings, freeze hosting, suspend, or ban at our discretion.


10.2 Factors include severity, history, and risk to community safety.


10.3 Appeals: email support@tablemate.site, subject “Host Appeal,” with your account email and explanation. We may decline repetitive appeals. Decisions are final except where law requires otherwise.


11. LIABILITY REMINDER

Tablemate is not liable for incidents at your game (see Terms). You may be personally liable to guests or neighbors under civil or criminal law. Consider homeowners/renters insurance and local legal advice for hosting.


12. CHANGES

We may update these Host Rules. Continued hosting after the posted Effective Date constitutes acceptance.


13. CONTACT

Tablemate
Email: support@tablemate.site (subject: “Game Host Rules”)



Thank you for hosting responsibly. Strong hosts make Tablemate trustworthy.


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