Poker is a game of cards and chips where players compete for a pot of money. It is a fast-paced and exciting game that takes skill and strategy to win.
Rules & Basics
The game of poker begins with the player on the dealer’s right putting in an ante (usually a nickel) or blind bet, followed by the cards being dealt out one at a time. Then, betting rounds take place until one hand wins or all players fold.
How to Play
The object of the game is to have the best five-card hand at the end of the hand. Poker uses a standard deck of 52 cards, ranked from highest to lowest: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
Ties are broken by the high card.
Ties break when two hands have the same pair or the same high hand; they also break when both hands have identical pairs but different high cards.
What to Do
In most games, the first player to act is called the “big blind.” After the big blind, everyone else starts betting. Betting is usually done clockwise and each player has three options: Say “I open,” and place a bet; say “call,” and match the last bet or raise; or fold.
The player who has the highest hand at the end of the round wins the pot. The rest of the money is divided among the players.