The rules and regulations of poker are governed by the professional Tournament Directors Association, or TDA. The organization was founded in 2001 by poker players Matt Savage, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and David Lamb. Today, it has more than 2,500 members from more than 60 countries. Its members include the directors of large live poker rooms, circuits, and independent tournaments. Jack Effel, the current director of the WSOP, is a member of the TDA.
While many variations of poker exist, most were developed in the United States during the mid-1800s to early 1900s. Although some of these games are slightly different than others, all follow a common order of play. Specifications will usually include the value of the hands, the number of betting rounds, and the actions that must be taken in between rounds. Some variations of poker include draw poker, five-card draw, and more. Unless otherwise specified, these games are usually played with a dealer.
It’s important to respect the dealers and other players at poker tables. In addition to being courteous to others, players should follow the official poker rules in order to avoid gaffes and other mistakes.