When it comes to official poker there are many ‘dos and don’ts’, but it is important for players to follow the rules and treat each other with respect. There is nothing worse than a player attempting to mislead or take advantage of a less experienced player, as it can lead to a bad atmosphere at the table and also affect the game itself.

Poker is played with a standard pack of 52 cards (some variant games may use additional packs or add wild cards). Each card is ranked in order from high to low: Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten. The highest hand wins the pot. Players place an ante into the pot (the amount varies by game and is usually a small amount such as a nickel) and then they are dealt two cards face down. Then each player can bet into the pot or fold.

It is a good idea for players to verbally declare their intention to act before doing so. Verbally stating a call, raise or fold is binding and you cannot change your mind later on. This can be very helpful at times when there is a lot of action and you are not sure what to do.

It is considered rude to reveal your holdings after you have folded, as it can unintentionally give other players a clue as to the strength of your holding. This is also against the rules of online poker and is called ‘ghosting’. This practice is a breach of the Terms of Service and can lead to you being banned from the site.