Official poker is a game of cards played by people in groups. It involves betting, which adds a significant element of skill and psychology. A number of rules exist to regulate the game, including how to bet and how much a player must pay to participate. These rules are generally agreed upon by the players involved in the game. Some of these rules are specific to certain games, while others are general to all types of poker. In addition, a professional organization exists to manage the game. It is called the Tournament Directors Association (Poker TDA). The TDA includes managers of large live and online poker rooms, circuits, or independent tournaments. The organization is also responsible for establishing rules and enforcing them in a consistent manner.
When a person plays poker, they may choose to use a single standard 52-card pack, or two packs of contrasting colors in order to speed up the game. In the latter case, while one pack is being dealt, the other pack is shuffled and prepared for the next deal. One person is designated as the banker, and he or she keeps track of how many chips each player has, and how much cash a player paid for their chips. A player who wants more chips should get them only from the banker.
In poker, a player may place his or her hand, chips, or another object on top of the cards to protect them from other players’ hands. This is not against the rules, but it is considered poor form and could be interpreted as cheating. Also, a player who verbally states an action while it is not their turn will be held to that action.