The game of poker is one of the world’s most popular card games. It has become the national card game of the United States and is played in private homes, in poker clubs and in casinos. It is a game of chance, but skill and cunning are also necessary. It is a game that can be played for pennies and matchsticks or for thousands of dollars in professional tournaments. It is a game that has become part of American culture and is characterized by its own vocabulary and slang.

The game is regulated by the Tournament Directors Association, which sets rules for tournaments in the United States and around the world. The TDA was founded in 2001 by Matt Savage, Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher to standardize the rules of poker tournaments. Currently, there are more than 2,500 TDA members from 63 countries. The organization is responsible for setting the rules of tournament play and ensuring that players are treated fairly.

The TDA is a non-profit organization that is made up of managers from major live and online poker rooms, circuits, leagues and independent tournaments. It also oversees the World Series of Poker and other professional poker tournaments in the United States and abroad. It is not the only organization that regulates poker, but it is one of the largest.