Poker is a game of strategy, skill and chance. It is played in casinos, card rooms and private homes across the world. Its popularity is mainly in North America, where it was first invented.
Characterized by the bets, calls and folds of players at the table, poker is a card game with many variants that have different rules. However, there are some basic elements that apply to all forms of poker.
Getting Started
The first step in any poker game is to place a forced bet, called an ante or blind bet (sometimes both), before the deal. These bets are rotated around the table each betting round and must be made by all players.
Cards are then dealt to the players in a sequence, one at a time, beginning with the player to their left. In some variations, the initial deal may be followed by several betting rounds.
During each of these betting rounds, the amount of money bet is recorded and placed in a central pot. The current bet amount is the total amount of money that the player who bet last in this round has placed in the pot.
The player with the best hand wins. If more than one player remains in contention after the final round of betting, a showdown takes place. The hands are revealed, and the winner collects the pot.