Official Poker Rules | The Original Poker Rulebook

There’s some confusion about what should be considered the official guide to poker rules. Unfortunately there’s no universally accepted authority on the matter.   

About the closest you can come is the official poker rules put together by Bob Ciaffone.  He originally drafted the rulebook for the Poker Players Association and has worked with several Las Vegas casinos in order to help them develop rules for gaming. 

His publication, Robert’s Rules of Poker, can be downloaded for free here.  Ciaffone also is a contributor for Card Player magazine.  If you have an obscure question, you can always try emailing him at thecoach*@*chartermi.net (remove the *). 

Another authority on poker rules is the book, According to Hoyle.  With rules on more than 200 games, it covers just about everything imaginable. 

If you’re looking for official poker rules for your home game, According to Hoyle is probably the best choice because even beginners have heard of it.  Being able to defer to an authority that everyone recognizes will help to settle disputes. 

If you like to host home tournaments, you can always use the official poker rules of the World Series of Poker.  You can find the 2008 WSOP rules here. Using WSOP tournament rules is a great way to give your home tournament more credibility. 

You can also read some of my tips on running your own Texas Hold’em tournament and my article on home tournament poker rules. 

No matter what resource you use, it’s important to remember that poker rules vary between venues. 

Before you sit down to play at an unfamiliar home game, card room, or casino, be sure ask for a copy of their house rules and read it thoroughly. 

Today, most of the larger card rooms have internet sites where you find a copy of the rules and look through them before hand. 

Done With Official Poker Rules? Return to Texas Holdem Rules!