Many variations of poker rules exist throughout the world, so it’s vital to be familiar with local rules when playing in a different country. The International Federation of Poker, founded in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2009, is the official governing body of the game. The organization has announced plans to host two events this year: a Nations Cup double-team event and the “The Table” IFP World Championship featuring 130 of the world’s best players.
The TDA’s Rules are available in a Word docx or PDF file, with both short-form and long-form versions available. The long-form version contains recommended procedures, as well as an addendum that includes large illustrations. The Short Form version is shorter but still contains the same information. It also has updates for the 2017 tournament year. Both versions are available at no cost. This rulebook is an excellent resource to refer to whenever you play poker.
In 1837, R. F. Foster published a book on the game’s history. The game has roots in both Persian and French games. French versions are known as poque, which likely derived from the word “poque.” Both poque and brelan derive from the German word pochen, which means bluff or brag. In its early versions, the game was played by two people. The game has been played around the world ever since.
The official poker hand chart is a free download. A good starting guide for poker is What Beats What in Poker? This beginner’s guide explains the real value of each hand. Checking means you’re not betting. If no one else is betting, you can check your hand. You’ll be able to determine which hands have the highest value and decide whether you’re making a good bet. In the meantime, you can learn more about the rules of the game from a beginner-friendly book called “What Beats What in Poker”.