The official poker rules are a set of guidelines that players must adhere to when playing the game. These rules are designed to prevent misunderstandings and disagreements at the table. They are especially important for online poker tournaments where players are often not familiar with each other’s gaming style. In addition to ensuring that all players are following the same rules, the official poker rules also ensure that each hand is played fairly and that there are no attempts at cheating or deception at the table. These are all considered unethical and against the rules of poker.

There are several types of official poker games, including cash games and tournaments. In cash games, players wager chips that represent actual money or currency. Tournaments are structured with fixed buy-in levels and a prize pool. Individuals compete for an amount of the total prize pool and share in the winner’s reward. The most common type of tournament is Texas hold’em.

A player is expected to show their cards when they reach the showdown stage of a hand. This rule is meant to avoid ego battles and unnecessary discussion at the table, as it will help everyone understand what type of hand they are holding. The dealer is responsible for identifying the winning hands, so it’s best to avoid showing your hand before this point.

While not a violation of the official poker rules, it’s a good idea to keep your stacks hidden and not reveal too much about how many chips you have in your possession. This will prevent your opponents from counting your chips and figuring out how high you’ll raise or call when you have a strong hand.