The Difference Between Official and Non-Official Poker Tournaments

official poker

If you play poker, you probably have noticed the difference between an official tournament and one where the rules are different. While official poker tournaments have standardized rules, non-official poker tournaments are not regulated by any specific organization. Instead, they are governed by the Professional Tournament Directors Association, or Poker TDA. Founded in 2001, the PTDs are comprised of poker managers from large live idn poker rooms, circuits, and independent tournaments. The PTDs meet every two years at a summit to review poker rules, which includes the official WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel.

A good place to start is with the official poker hand chart. These charts are available free of charge and are a great resource for learning the game. In addition to official poker hand charts, they also explain the difference between lowball and hold’em blinds. If you’re new to poker, you should also consider purchasing What Beats What in Poker, a great starting guide to understanding how to play poker. It is an excellent resource for learning the value of each hand in every game.

Although the rules of online poker games may differ from those of live games, the general guidelines apply. Players may not change their seats once the game starts. If a player’s seat is unavailable when play begins, the director will assign them starting chips. Then, the director will place the chips for each paid entrant at the table. Any player who is not present is dealt in with the chips required for the antes and blinds. This ensures fair play between the players.