As with most games, official poker is played using chips that represent the player’s stake in a hand. The standard set of rules is that a white chip is worth one minimum ante or bet; a red chip is worth 10 whites; and a blue chip is worth 20 or 25 whites. In addition to the standard poker chip set, many games also require special chips such as the jokers (or wild cards), which are worth whatever the game’s particular rules allow them to be.

Poker rules vary somewhat from cardroom to cardroom, but most follow a similar set of principles. A number of these are influenced by the Tournament Directors Association, which promotes uniform poker rules and hosts a world championship every two years to review and update them.

In most cases, players buy in for a fixed amount when entering a poker tournament. This amount is then divided among the top players in a tournament to determine the prize money distribution.

Some of the common poker rules that govern the behavior of players at a table include the prohibition against collusion with other players or any other form of cheating. A player should be willing to speak up if they see an infraction of the rules, but the dealer is unlikely to catch every single one.

A guest should never sit down at a table without the approval of the player behind them, and a guest may not receive “coaching” or advice on his hand. In addition, guests must sign in on the tournament sign-in sheet and provide a Member ID Number before being allowed to play in a poker room.