Poker is a game of chance and skill. The object is to make the best hand using your two hole cards and the five community cards. The highest hand wins the pot.
The rules for official poker are managed by the Tournament Directors Association (TDA). They meet every two years to review and reform the rules for their members, which include large live- and online poker rooms, circuits, leagues and independent tournaments.
Rules for a Poker Game
In most poker games, there are two positions on the table: the dealer and the small blind. The dealer deals the cards and the players act clockwise from the button.
After the cards are dealt, each player must put a certain amount of money into the pot. They can either call or raise the amount of money they put in, depending on what the game rules allow.
If a player does not call a raise before three or more other players have acted, they lose their turn and the player behind them must act next. This rule is used to prevent bluffing and collusion amongst players.
Dead cards
A hand is considered dead if it is marked, damaged, or altered in any way. Typically, this is done to prevent cheating or collusion between players, but it can also be done for a variety of reasons.
Ghosting
“Ghosting” is a term that refers to having another player play on your account. This is sometimes done for a variety of reasons, but can be especially effective in large and soft fields where ICM can be intense.