Almost all poker games are played with a standard 52-card deck. The deck is dealt from left to right. Players are then given two cards and can make either a bet or pass.
The hand with the highest card wins. If two or more players have a similar hand, the highest card breaks the tie.
The most common form of poker is Texas Hold’em. This game is played with a 52-card English deck. Before the game begins, each player puts in a blind bet. The amount of the blind is usually one or five dollars. The dealer deals the cards to each player, face up.
The player to the left of the dealer has the small blind. This player must discard his or her hand. The next player to the left has the big blind. This player must also leave at least five cards in his or her hand.
When a player decides to bet, they “call” or “raise” their bet. The amount of the raise may be as large as fourteen chips. If the bet is equal to or larger than the previous bet, the pot is then split. If a player is forced to call, he or she will be required to place the same number of chips as the previous player.
When the betting interval is over, each player has the same amount of chips as the previous player. Then the next player announces their move. This is called a “showdown.”
During the showdown, the player with the best hand wins the pot. If two or more players have a pair of fours, a pair of kings or a pair of queens, the high card breaks the tie.
