Official poker is a set of rules that are used in most major tournaments worldwide. These rules create consistency and avoid any misunderstandings between players in different countries. The rules also improve the game by ensuring that each player follows the same rules. The most important part of the rules is protecting your hand. This is done by putting chips or another object on top of your cards. This protects them from being exposed and prevents the other players from seeing your hand during a betting round.
The game of poker is played by individuals for an amount of money or chips contributed by all players (called the pot). Players may check, call the bet of another player, raise (or re-raise) or fold their hand. The betting is usually done in a clockwise direction.
There are several unwritten poker rules that are very important to follow. These rules will help to keep the game fair for all players and improve the atmosphere at the table. For example, it is important to not discuss your hand with other players or spectators. This is called angle shooting and can be very embarrassing for you. It is also important to protect your hand at all times by using your hands or chips to cover them.
A player is allowed to ask for a pot count in pot-limit games only. Players and dealers are not allowed to count their opponents’ chip stacks unless they are in the hand with them.