The game of poker is a game of strategy and chance, but there are some important rules that every player must know to play fairly. These rules are known as the official poker rules. They are the standards that are followed in tournaments and cash games around the world. The game of poker has a long history, with many different variations of the rules and strategies used in play. These days the most popular form of poker is Texas Hold ’em, but there are many other varieties of the game that are still played in cardrooms throughout the country and world.

The rules of poker are generally written in a rulebook, which is usually kept at the poker table and read by players before and after each hand. This rulebook can include a variety of topics, including the game’s basic rules and the game’s specific betting limits. It also contains a glossary of terms that help explain the rules and make them easier to understand. The official poker rules are also called the Robert’s Rules of Poker. This rulebook was written by Robert Ciaffone, a recognized authority on cardroom rules. He selected the rules to be included and improved upon their wording, format, and organization. Ciaffone has also consulted with cardrooms and helped them draft their rulebooks.

To learn more about the rules of poker, visit a reputable poker web site. There are many websites that offer free poker advice and a variety of information on the game of poker. Many of these sites will also allow you to play poker online for real money. These websites will provide you with a list of approved poker rooms where you can play in a safe environment.

Before the official poker rules were written, the game of poker was a popular pastime among men and women in taverns and saloons in the Wild West. The game gained wider acceptance in the United States after the Civil War, when it was often played aboard riverboats carrying goods up and down the Mississippi River. The game spread to Europe as well, thanks to American soldiers during World War I.

There are a number of actions that can be considered violations of the official poker rules. The most serious violations can result in your chips being surrendered to the house, and you may be banned from future play in WFP events. These violations include;

Attempting to see an opponent’s hole cards. Hiding your high-value chips to give the impression that you have a smaller stack. Counting chips or moving them to the middle to show that you are planning to raise. Using a “playover box” to cover your chips when you leave the table for a brief period of time.

The final decision of who wins a pot at the end of a hand is made at a showdown. A player’s best five-card hand determines the winner of the pot. For example, Bob shows a pair of nines and Carol shows two kings with a queen kicker to win the pot.