The Difference Between an Official Poker Tournament and a Legitimate One

official poker

You might wonder what is the difference between an official poker tournament and a ‘legitimate’ one. In the poker world, the former is governed by a professional association known as the Poker TDA. Founded in 2001 by professional poker players Matt Savage, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and David Lamb, the organization now has 2,500 members from 63 countries. They include managers of large poker rooms, poker circuits, and independent tournaments. The organization meets every two years at a summit to set rules for poker tournaments. Jack Effel, the WSOP Tournament Director, serves on the association’s board of directors.

The dealer, on the other hand, must ensure that the game proceeds in an orderly fashion. If a dealer makes a mistake in awarding a pot, players must point it out to him as soon as possible. Providing incorrect information may result in losing the pot. Therefore, it is vital that players follow the rules of the game to minimize mistakes. For instance, the dealer must kill losing hands before the pot is awarded to them. That is the first rule of poker.

The official poker rules are widely used and freely copied. It is important to note that the rules in the TDA Handbook are compatible with those in the United States. They are also available in a Word docx and PDF file. They are available in two different formats: the “Longform” version contains the rules and recommended procedures, while the “Short Form” version is a condensed version of the rules. Both versions include the same information, but they differ slightly in wording.