By Zach Purgason

10/08/2008

                The advent of online poker has led to a huge increase in popularity and even exposure around the world for the game.  With new players taking up the sport that speak multiple languages and countries that have numerous versions of poker the need for standard rules has been considered.  The group taking on the task of regulating poker for the world is none other than the FIDPA.

                The FIDPA, or Federation Internationale de Poker Association, is an international organization, as the name suggests, that acts as a regulatory governing body for the poker industry.  So naturally they are the ones working to set standard poker rules to be used the world over.  The organization was founded off of a parent organization, the International Poker Federation, that has been overseeing poker in Europe since 2002, but it soon became obvious with the rapid worldwide growth of poker needed a larger, more all-encompassing entity and the FIDPA was formed.

                Their goal has been twofold; not just to create a standard set of rules that’s fair to both players and the poker industry operators, but also to give the sport more legal credibility as a sport that does have regulation and oversight.  This is a point that many of those opposing the legalization of online poker have brought up time and time again.

                The International Poker Rules, or IP Rules, that the FIDPA have developed have already been meet with waves of acceptance as their goals are shared throughout the poker industry.  Poker rooms are already seeking endorsement from the FIDPA so that they can establish themselves as reputable and fair.  Many poker rooms are frequented by foreign players that often have that very concern or that they’ll be at a disadvantage if the game is run differently that they’re used to.  Thanks to the FIDPA that won’t be a problem any longer.  Hopefully US government officials are paying attention to the responsibility the poker industry is taking.