The Basics of Poker

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Poker

Poker is a card game that is played in casinos, clubs, private homes, and online. Players bet against each other until everyone folds. The highest hand wins the pot. To play, a minimum ante is required.

A standard pack of cards is used. Each player receives two starting cards. The cards are dealt face up in rotation to the left. The dealer shuffles the cards after each round.

A pot is an aggregate of all bets made by all players in one deal. The high hand breaks ties when multiple people tie for the highest card. The second highest card breaks ties when nobody has a pair.

Throughout the hand, the player can check, raise, or fold. If the player checks, his hand is considered a draw. When the player raises, the player must match the bet. If the player folds, the player discards his hand and no longer competes for the pot.

The highest possible hand is a straight flush, which is five cards of the same suit. A Straight Flush is even rarer than a Four of a Kind.

The lowest possible hand is 7-5-4-3-2 in two or more suits. In some games, the ace is treated as the lowest card. The ace is also the lowest pair in poker.

Three of a Kind is a hand that includes three of the same rank. The highest three of a kind is three kings. The next highest hand is three queens.