The International Federation of Poker, the game’s global governing body, joined forces with independent publisher Limehouse Books in 2011 to produce the volume which is set to become the ultimate authoritative source of reference and dispute resolution.

Members of the press and wider poker community raised a glass to the new book, which was compiled by the IFP’s Rules Committee whose chairman, the novelist and poker player David Flusfeder, is its editor.

Poker’s rules have evolved ever since it was introduced to the United States in the early 19th Century. With no central governing body, house rules developed which, although broadly similar in many respects, often contained critical differences.

According to Anthony Holden, President of the International Federation of Poker, publishing an officially endorsed rulebook is designed to eliminate any remaining local variations in rules, creating a unity in the sport worldwide.

“One of the key roles of any sports governing body is to establish clear and consistent rules which apply throughout the world,” said Holden. “It would clearly be absurd if the rules of football or tennis differed from country to country and poker is no different.

“It is a sign of the growing maturity and popularity of poker that we have taken this step.”

In his preface to the book, Holden adds: “But this book is designed to cover far more than merely tournament poker. It is the perfect volume to keep on hand in poker clubs and at kitchen-table home games the world over.”

The handsome volume contains sections on all the major variants of poker, as well as disputes refereed by the Hendon Mob’s feature “You are the Tournament Director”.

Bobby Nayyar, CEO of Limehouse Books said: “The Rules of Poker fills a decisive gap in the market as there are currently no other books for poker in print that cover tournament, cash play and the numerous variants of the game as well as combining and standardising rules from the major tournaments including the World Series and European Poker Tour.”

The Rules of Poker, edited by David Flusfeder with a preface by Anthony Holden is published by IFP Books in hardback, priced £12.99.

They are the first to be welcomed into the new regulated market which allows licensed operators to host online poker for Spanish residents who can only compete against other Spanish players. However, there remains some contention amid the poker community, with issues of tax and other details still to be remedied, issues that have alienated many players.

The International Federation of Poker is not an arbiter of the game, and while IFP España supports market regulation they argue that a common regulation for global poker should remain the ultimate goal.

“IFP España is an organisation that is working for the recognition of Poker as a Mind Sport, as it has been accepted in other countries,” said IFP España President Juan Manuel Pastor. “We aim to have the same rights and obligations as any sporting federation, and to defend our members. We will do everything possible – within the limit of our powers, resources and the framework of the law – to support Spanish players and we hope that very soon our sport can be accessible to all the world without restrictions.”