In the card game of poker, players compete to assemble the best possible hand with some combination of their own cards and those dealt by the dealer. The highest ranking hand wins the pot. Poker is played with a standard 52-card pack, sometimes with the addition of one or two jokers. There are four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs), and the rank of each suit from high to low is Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10.
A player must be at his seat when a hand is being dealt in order to participate. He may not leave the table until the end of a hand. He must also place chips in the pot for blinds and antes, or a forced bet if there is no ante. He may also request to see the other player’s hand if he has called, even if that hand has been mucked.
Poker tournaments have become extremely popular. They provide a way for players to win money worth multiple times their buy-ins, and they awaken the competitive spirit in players. Top tournament players have been known to make millions in winnings from these events, which are often held in prestigious casinos and other venues.
In an attempt to avoid some of the disputes that are seen in cardrooms, the International Poker Federation (FIDPA) compiled a set of rules that adhere to the basic concepts of the game. These 81 rules, which are available for free download, have the potential to prevent many of the disputes that are encountered in the game.