The rules of poker are determined by the professional Tournament Directors Association, or Poker TDA. This organization, which was founded by four professional poker players in 1999, oversees the development of the rules and regulations. Members of the Association are responsible for developing and reviewing the rules of poker tournaments worldwide. WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel is a member of the organization’s board of directors. The organization’s website is a useful resource for learning more about the rules of poker.

As long as there are at least two players in a game, the game is a game for all. Absent players are dealt a hand. If no one is present at the beginning of a hand, they are placed up for a blind, ante, and forced bet if the stakes are low. Absent players are not allowed to leave their seats during a hand. As the game is played with several cards, each player’s hand may contain one or more aces.

In addition to a pair of aces, players can also make a straight. In this case, a straight flush is a winning hand. In a high-stakes game, the first two cards of the hand are considered ace and king. Similarly, an ace and a king can be regarded as a pair. A pair of ace-kings can be referred to as a king, queen, and jack.