Rules of Poker
The International Poker Federation (FIDPA) compiled a set of international poker rules to avoid the many disputes that can arise in poker. These rules can be found free on their website.
Poker is a popular card game, enjoyed in virtually every country around the world. Originally based on the German bluffing game Pochen, it was adopted by French colonists and brought to New Orleans.
Players can choose to call, raise, or fold in a single betting action per turn. A string bet or raise breaks this rule and can be a good way to make the dealer roll his eyes.
A pot is created when two or more bets are made. The player to the left of the big blind is the first to put money into the pot. He can then fold, call the amount of the previous bet or raise if there is another bet before him.
When a hand is tied, the dealer will decide who has the best hand. The player with the higher hand wins.
The player with the lowest hand loses.
In tournaments, only a small percentage of players receive money for their efforts. This is because only one table can be awarded a prize for each 100 entrants.
The ‘kitty’ is a special fund that is used to pay for new decks of cards or food and drinks. Any chips left in the kitty at the end of the game are divided evenly amongst the players still in the game.