If you play poker in a public place, such as a casino or card room, you must abide by the official rules of that game. These rules include a set of dos and don’ts that improve the game and the atmosphere at the table for everyone. Having a good understanding of these rules can help you win more money in the long run.

A few examples of a “major infraction” that violates these rules are revealing the contents of a hand before betting is complete, reading another player’s cards while they are still in the hand (such as when someone folds), playing the muck or deck stub, or stacking chips in a way that interferes with dealing or viewing cards. Players also should not reveal the strength of a hand they have folded or give advice.

When a tournament is advertised as guaranteed, that usually means there is a pre-set amount of prize money that will be paid out to the winner. This number is typically between 10% and 30% of the total field.

A tournament director is responsible for keeping the number of players at each table as even as possible. Sometimes he or she will move players around in order to achieve this goal. However, directors try to only move players that were going to be in position on the new table. Otherwise, it can result in an “overlay,” which means that a tournament begins as if a few people have already busted out.