Poker is one of the world’s most popular card games and is played in virtually every country where gambling is legal. The game has a variety of variants, but all have the same basic elements. In most cases, players compete for an amount of money or chips contributed by everyone (called the pot). Players may bet against each other or against the house. The rules are managed by the professional Tournament Directors Association (Poker TDA), which has members in 63 countries around the world.

The official poker rules cover a wide range of topics. They include the game’s basic strategy tips, poker hand rankings and the rules of play. These rules are important for the smooth running of any poker game, especially a tournament. A good tournament director will keep the tournament on schedule, ensure the game is fair and that all players follow the rules.

A player is expected to bet only as much as he or she can afford without risking the total value of his or her chips. This is known as “calling” a bet. A player must also match the amount of previous betting before raising. For example, if someone bets a dime, the player must raise it to a quarter.

Poker players should speak up if they notice a violation of the rules. It is difficult for a dealer to see every move that is being made at the table, so it’s up to the players to call the floor over when a ruling is needed. Also, players should avoid using non-standard terms or gestures when facing action, as this can result in a ruling that is different from what was intended.