In poker is it mandatory that the cards be cut?

Answer 1

When you play Poker in a casino, the dealer cuts the deck after shuffling. Some casinos may permit any player to cut the deck as well. Some card rooms used to permit the deck to be cut at any time. This no longer appears to be prevalent at any card rooms which offer games that are not self-dealt.

When playing among friends or other places that offer poker games the rule about cutting the deck may be different.

Answer 2

This depends on the house rules. Therefore I'll explain the most common used rule in most casino's or card rooms.

When a player refuses to cut the deck, the person next to that one can cut the deck if a player requests so. Cutting the deck is a formality nowadays, it used to be done to avoid cheating.

Answer 3

Generally the player to the right of the dealer always cuts the cards.

If you however have doubts about the honesty of the game it should be allowed to request another player to cut the deck.

In most casino's - depending on the house rules - you can always ask the dealer to cut the deck before dealing starts regardless of the deck being cut already.

Answer 4

No, you do not need to cut the cards in poker. But you do need to burn one card from the top of the deck before the flop, turn and river are dealt.