Poker is a card game played between two or more players. The highest hand wins the money bet during that hand, known as the pot. The game is usually played from a standard deck of 52 cards (although some games add jokers), with four suits: spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. There are different betting structures depending on the game, but in all of them players must place a compulsory bet at the beginning of a hand (called an ante) before being dealt cards.

After the antes have been placed, three more cards are dealt face-up in the middle of the table (called the flop). A round of betting then commences. If a player has the best five-card hand and has not folded by the end of all betting rounds, they win the pot.

Tournaments differ from cash games in that the players are competing for a fixed amount of money that comprises the tournament’s entry fee. There are also different rules that apply to tournament play, such as the fact that a player may call a clock on another player if they are taking too long to make their decision.

The game’s rules are set by a standard talent release form that all players must sign before being allowed to take part in the event. Players must also be willing to co-operate with the venue’s filming staff when required, to ensure that the tournament takes place in a well-lit area where the lighting and camera angles are appropriate for recording the hand.