Official poker is a set of rules that governs the game of poker. The rules are overseen by the professional Tournament Directors Association (TDA), and they meet every two years to review them.

The TDA has a board of directors that includes managers from large live-poker rooms, circuits and tournaments around the world. These managers are responsible for ensuring that the rules are followed by all players.

In addition, the TDA has a number of guidelines that all players should know. These include a list of common poker etiquette violations, a description of how to avoid certain situations in the game, and a set of penalties for breaking these rules.

Bad beats are inevitable, but it’s not okay to start complaining about them and make fun of other players who have similar luck. This only makes other players feel uncomfortable and causes a break in the flow of the game.

Another violation of poker etiquette is to try to see other players’ hole cards. This is known as “mucking”.

Counting chips and moving them closer to the middle are also examples of mucking. These moves are not necessarily cheating but they’re a poor way to play the game.

It’s always better to keep your hand in full view, above table level and not beyond the edge of the table. This is because your opponent can see your stack and use it to count your chips.

If you’re playing in a tournament, it’s important to understand how payouts work. Most tournaments have a payout structure that is based on the number of entrants. These payouts are usually between 10% and 30% of the prize pool.