Whether you’re playing in a poker tournament or a regular poker game, it’s important to understand the official poker rules. The rules are in place to protect the other players and the tournament itself. Understanding them will help you win more, too.

During a hand, a player can either call or raise. If he chooses to raise, he must match the bet of the previous player. He can also check. When a player is checked, it means that he has the right to act but is not permitted to make a decision until his turn arrives.

If a player’s hand is dead, the player must take all the chips in the pot and put them in the center. If the player does not, the player’s hand is considered a no-show.

If a player is in the right position and makes an aggressive move, he may be able to win the pot without showing his hand. This is called angle shooting.

The ante is the amount of money posted by all the players before the hand. Usually, the ante is raised at regular intervals.

An all-in is when a player puts all his playable chips into the pot. This is done in order to guarantee that his hand will be the highest. The player can also take some of the money out of the pot to buy something or make a side bet.

The fourth street card is called the “turn” and is the final card in a poker hand. It is followed by a second round of betting.