In poker, individual players compete for an amount of money or chips contributed by all the players (the pot). Unlike casino games, in which the players play against the house, poker involves considerable skill and psychology.

The game is played from a standard deck of 52 cards, and most variant games add some special cards, like wild cards or jokers. Each card is assigned a rank and value, and the highest card wins. Some games also have special conditions, such as bluffing.

Poker rules for a home game or an official poker room include a set of unwritten etiquette that should be observed by all players to maintain an enjoyable and fair game. This includes things such as slow rolling, revealing additional information to an opponent, trying to see another player’s hole cards, counting and moving chips around the table. It is important to know the rules for poker etiquette, as violating them may lead to a bad experience for everyone at the table.

The official poker rules are compiled by the National Poker Association. They are designed to be used by all regulated poker rooms, including those run by private individuals and in home games. The rules are based on the original rulebook of the Poker Players’ Association, but have been edited, clarified and improved by Robert Ciaffone, who is a recognized authority in cardroom rules. A copy of the rules can be downloaded for free and can be copied without restriction, as long as credit is given to Robert Ciaffone.