A poker game is a card game that involves betting between individuals. The rules of poker differ between games, but in general players compete for an amount of money or chips contributed by all the players (called the pot). Each player is dealt two cards face down and must place a forced bet before anyone else can raise. During the course of the game, the players attempt to predict how their opponents will play and thus control the amount they contribute to the pot.
The standard pack of 52 cards is used in poker, though some variant games use more than one or add wild cards. The cards are ranked from high to low: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3. Each suit has a different color and the ace can be either a spade or a diamond. Some games also have wild cards that can take on any rank or suit.
In poker, the rules of the game must be agreed upon before the game begins. Most tournaments and casinos have their own set of rules but there is an organization that manages the game’s rules, called the Professional Tournament Directors Association, or the TDA. The TDA is a group of tournament managers from large live and online poker rooms, circuits, and other poker organizations. Its members meet every two years at the TDA Summit to discuss the latest issues in poker management.