Poker is a card game in which players bet on their hand against other players. The objective is to win a pot of money by having the best hand at the end of a series of betting rounds.
How to play the game:
Before a poker game starts, each player receives an ante (minimum bet) and a big blind (minimum amount of money that must be put in before a hand is dealt). The dealer shuffles, cuts, and deals cards to the players one by one.
The cards are then dealt face-up, and a betting round begins. In some variants, such as Texas hold ’em, the cards are not revealed until all betting has been done.
When the betting round is complete, each player reveals one of his hole cards, and the cards are then shown to all players. The winner is the player who holds the best poker combination (highest-ranking hand) in his faceup cards.
What to look for in a good hand:
The highest possible hand in standard poker is five of a kind, which beats any straight flush or two one-eyed jacks or four deuces. Other hands rank equally based on their odds (probability).
How to play the game:
The standard 52-card pack is used, sometimes with the addition of one or two jokers. In club games and among the best players, two packs of contrasting colors are used, alternating with each deal.