The Official Poker Rules

Poker is a card game of chance played by two or more players. It has become a popular pastime in many countries and is televised on a number of networks. There are many variations of the game, but the most common is Texas hold’em. It is considered the national card game of the United States and its play and jargon permeate American culture.

There are a number of rules that must be followed in order to play poker correctly. These rules include etiquette, betting limits, and the proper way to raise a bet. Having a thorough understanding of poker’s rules can improve the game for everyone involved and help players win more often.

The cards are dealt one at a time around the table, beginning with the player to the dealer’s left. A token called a button (or buck) indicates the nominal dealer for each hand. In some games, the right to deal passes between players, while in others it is fixed.

After the initial round of betting is complete, the remaining players with hole cards expose their hands and a winning hand is determined according to the official poker hand rankings. If the high and low hands are tied, an odd chip is awarded to the player clockwise from the button.

A player may not make more than one bet in a single betting turn unless they are all-in. Players must verbally declare their intention to call, raise or fold before making their bet. In addition, a player who makes a bet must call any subsequent raises.