Official Poker Rules

Poker is a card game in which individuals compete for an amount of money or chips contributed by all players in the pot. Players place bets based on the strength of their hand and on their prediction of the behavior of other players. This leads to a number of disputes and misunderstandings, especially when players travel to different games or tournaments in which different rules are applied.

For this reason, there are official poker rules that must be followed. The most common of these are the rules governing player behavior and poker table etiquette. For example, it is against poker rules to peek at another player’s cards. In addition, it is against poker etiquette to talk over other players. These rules are intended to protect the privacy of all players and ensure that everyone is treated equally.

Poker Chip Values

For cash games, the value of a poker chip is usually defined by its color. Generally, a white poker chip is worth one dollar; however, high-stakes cash games may use higher values such as a light blue chip worth $100. Tournament poker chips often have different denominations, and the colors of these chips are usually associated with a casino or event.

The governing body for poker is the Poker Tournament Directors Association (PTDA). This organization is responsible for creating and enforcing a set of poker rules that must be adhered to by all members in order to maintain the integrity of the game. The PTDA is also responsible for investigating allegations of cheating at poker tournaments.