Official poker is a game of skill, where players compete for an amount of money or chips contributed by the players themselves (the pot). Minimizing losses with poor hands and maximizing winnings with good ones are the key to success. The rules that govern play are as follows:
A player may only bet in turn and when his or her action is live. A player may not discuss strategy with any other player or spectator. Players may not use gestures that obscure their hand, and are at risk of being ruled out of turn if they do so. In mixed games, the player who is acting last in a particular game must defend his or her right to act and make a decision before any subsequent players take their turn.
In pot-limit and no-limit, the dealer may not count the amount of chips in the pot. A player may request a more precise count of his or her opponents’ stacks from the dealer or floor when the player is all-in and it is his or her turn to act. A player’s request is subject to acceptance by the TD and he or she will be compensated for any additional chips that are part of accepted action. Visible and countable chip stacks greatly improve counting accuracy.
Outgoing dealers should pass all pertinent information to incoming dealers, including blind information, players on warning or penalties and disruptive behavior. The transfer should be expeditious to avoid missing blinds or having time expire during critical periods of the game.