Official poker is played with a standard pack of 52 cards, sometimes with additional jokers. The cards are ranked from high to low: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. The highest-ranking hand wins. It is also common to have one or more wild cards, depending on the game.

The rules of poker differ slightly between cash games and tournaments. In a cash game, players bet actual money (or chips that represent currency). However, in a tournament, only a small percentage of the participants receive any money.

When playing poker, players must be aware of their surroundings at all times. They should not talk on a phone or use any other device that could distract other players. In addition, players should not display any identifying marks or emblems on their clothing. Any such items may cause a distraction, delay the game or create an unfair advantage in the sole judgment of the TD.

In some games with more than 10 players, the group establishes a special fund called the “kitty.” By mutual or majority agreement, each player takes a single low-denomination chip from every pot in which there is more than one raise. The kitty is used to pay for new decks of cards and other expenses associated with the game. When the game ends, any remaining chips in the kitty are distributed evenly to all players.