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During the past decade, poker has become a truly global sport. This growth has led to the creation of a series of international poker rules. These rules are governed by the professional Tournament Directors Association (PTDA), a group founded by poker pros in 2001. The organization now has more than 2,500 members in 63 countries. Its membership includes managers of major live poker rooms, circuits, and independent tournaments.

The game begins with the dealer dealing two hole cards. Players to the immediate left of the dealer must make a bet before seeing the hand they’re holding. This bet is called the big blind and is twice the small blind. In most games, the small blind is the same as the big blind, but usually falls towards the lower end of structured bet amounts.

An important part of learning the rules of poker is understanding the unwritten rules of the game. Knowing what these unwritten rules are can help you win more money. Besides improving the atmosphere at the table, understanding these unwritten guidelines will improve your winning chances. Lastly, avoid the practice of angle shooting. While this is a very unethical move, it has evolved into a grey area in poker.