Poker is an immensely popular game, but it also requires strict rules to be played correctly. The official poker rules are drafted by a group of people who work to ensure that poker games are fair and consistent. This group is known as the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) and is composed of more than 2,500 members from 63 countries. Members include tournament directors from large live poker rooms, circuits, and independent tournaments.
Poker etiquette is an extensive collection of norms and rules that govern proper behavior at a poker table. While some of these rules are optional, others are important to maintain a professional atmosphere. In addition, some poker rooms enforce specific poker table etiquette. However, even if poker etiquette is not explicitly enforced, it is still useful to know how to follow them. In many ways, these rules are similar to those found in most workplaces and other public settings. For instance, etiquette at a poker table means keeping your desk tidy, not throwing out your cards, and tipping your dealer appropriately.
In poker, suits rank from highest to lowest, and the highest-ranked card wins the pot. In other words, suits break ties only between cards of the same rank, such as ace, king, and queen. As a result, it is important to learn to deal with excess time while playing. Experts such as Earl Burton provide tips on poker time management.