The Official Poker Rules

Poker is an official card game in which players compete for a pot of money or chips. It is played by dealing cards to the players in turn, with each player putting in a small amount of money, called an “ante,” to start the betting. The highest hand that hasn’t folded wins the pot.

Poker has many different rules and nuances, and it is important to understand them so that you can play properly. Having a good understanding of the game’s etiquette and unwritten rules is essential for both ensuring that you enjoy your poker experience and helping you win more often.

ANTES:

Most Texas hold ’em games require that you ante something before the cards are dealt. This amount is typically a nickel, but the ante structure varies from game to game.

BEARING:

Some poker games have a special fund, known as the kitty, that is built up by cutting one low-denomination chip from each pot in which there is more than one raise. Any chips left in the kitty when the game ends are divided equally among the players who are still in the game.

CHECK:

If no player has made a bet during a betting interval, a player may check. If another player calls, the check may be raised, or the player may fold their hand and be eliminated from the game.