[Stew]

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What if you're playing the 'one ahead' method where the SB/etc. shuffles the previous deck while the current one is in use. If the timer expires during the hand, and the next deck is shuffled/ready, then still apply the new blinds? This makes the most sense. What if the timer expires during the hand and the old deck isn't shuffled yet? I say still post the new blinds next hand.

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As already mentioned, the next round begins with the first riffle of the cards after the previous hand is completed.

If the timer expires during a hand, it's pretty much irrelevant if the next deck is shuffled or not, the next hand will have the new blinds applied as the previous hand was not even completed when the blinds expired.

If the timer expires during a previous hand, then obviously the higher blinds apply on the next hand, regardless if you are using the shuffle ahead method or not.

When people get confused is when the hand is over, someone is gathering cards, scoopint the pot, etc. and the timer goes off. In this situation, I would say the new blinds apply immediately, even if you are using the shuffle ahead method. If you were not using the shuffle ahead method, there is no way the cards could have been riffled as you have not collected them yet.

Main thing is, be consistent whichever way you do it.