A game of poker involves betting and raising actual money (or chips that represent money) on each individual hand. This game is played in many different forms, but the objective remains the same: minimize losses with poor hands and maximize winnings with strong ones. Poker can be played with as few as five players or more than 100. It is most commonly played for cash, which means players bet real currency on each hand, although games that feature wagering actual dollars without a deck of cards are also common and often referred to as “cash games.”

A player may not talk on a phone at a table. Ring tones, music, video etc. must be inaudible and not disturb the game and are subject to house and gaming regulations. Betting apps and charts are not allowed on a player’s screen during live hands.

The Tournament Director’s Association (TDA) promotes a standard set of rules for tournament play, which supplement the rules of this house. When the TDA rules conflict with those of a gaming agency, the agency’s rules take precedence.

The game of poker is generally played with a standard 52-card pack and some additional jokers. Unlike some card games, Poker is typically not dealt from a single pack; two packs of contrasting colors are used to speed up the dealing process. Each player buys in for a specified amount of chips. Each player is also entitled to a reasonable estimate of the pot count in pot-limit and limit play. Visible and countable chip stacks greatly improve counting accuracy.