The official poker tournament rules are decided by the professional Tournament Directors Association, or Poker TDA. This association was formed in 2001 by poker players David Lamb, Linda Johnson and Matt Savage. Today, the group has 2,500 members from 63 countries, including managers of big poker rooms, circuits, and leagues. Its members include Jack Effel, the Tournament Director of the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

The game of poker has a long history, beginning as an ancient Chinese game called dominos. In addition, it is claimed that the game has its origins in the Persian card game As Nas, which dates back to the 16th century. A European version of poker, known as poque, was introduced in the 17th century and caught on in France. Its rules and variations varied greatly, but most games included a round of betting.

The WFP reserves the right to revoke Player Membership if major infractions are committed. Some of these include cheating, collusion, gambling, verbal and physical threats, splashing chips into the pot, and reading other players’ hands at showdown. The WFP is also the only body to determine if a player is a member or not. To be a member of the official poker tournament, a player must complete a membership application. Once accepted, the Lead Dealer will issue a WFP ID number.

In addition to the rules, the game can be played with custom playing cards. Custom playing cards are available from a variety of sources. Some people prefer custom playing cards, but the standard face designs and indexes remain the most popular for poker players. Some custom playing cards have a dark background, which can make them difficult to read. The best way to tell if a card is a jack or a queen is to look at it from the bottom.