Poker is a game of skill and strategy. A player who is skilled in poker can win a large amount of money over time. However, there are also some unwritten rules that players should follow to ensure the game is fair for all.

Official Rules

All casinos and most home games play poker by what are called table stakes rules. These rules create a maximum and minimum buy-in amount, as well as limits on how much a player can raise or add to their stake during play.

The table stakes rules are a major factor in preventing unauthorized players from taking part of their stake away from the table (known as “ratholing”). This is generally prohibited, but some casinos allow a player to take part of their stack off of the table after winning a large pot and then buy back into the same game for less than the original amount.

Unwritten Rules

It is important to understand the unwritten rules of a game, because they can have a huge impact on the quality of your game and the atmosphere at the table. Knowing the dos and don’ts of a poker table can help you avoid costly mistakes and maximize your chances of success.

Some of the most common unwritten poker rules include: