Learn Easy Poker Basics

The basics of poker are easy to learn. The usual deck of playing cards is used.

A dealer, usually one of the poker players, deals the cards clockwise. Players then bet on who has the highest poker hand or the best combination of cards with the highest value. The money is collected in what is called the pot.

Poker hands are ranked in the following manner, listed here from the highest value:

1. the straight flush, made of five cards in one suit in sequence, where the Ace can be the highest value card or a one; 2. four of a kind, made of four cards of the same rank and another card; 3. full house, made of three cards with the same rank and two cards with the same rank; 4. flush, made of any five cards of one suit; 5. straight, made of five cards of any combination of suits but in sequence; 6. three of a kind, made of three cards of the same rank and another two cards; 7. two pair, made of two sets with matching ranks and another card; 8. one pair, made of two cards of the same rank and another three cards; and 9. high card or simply the highest card of highest value in no specific combination.

When poker players hold the same hand, the winner is the player with the card of higher value in the major portion of the hand.

Poker players make their bets based on how they assess the value of their hidden hands against those held by other players. Bluffing is used to make opponents believe that one holds a higher hand, in the hope that they fold or surrender.

When a bet has been made, the succeeding player has to make a bet equal to or higher than the previous player's total bet. Betting higher is called raising the stakes. On the other hand, not being able to make a bet even just equal to the previous bet means having to fold. That means the player withdraws from the game, leaving all of that player's previous bets in the pot.

The round is finished when all players have either made their bets or folded. The poker players who remain do the showdown or have a show of hands. Cards are placed on the table face up to determine the highest hand.

If only one poker player remains and everyone else has folded, the remaining player wins the pot. This can sometimes happen even if that player does not have the best hand but is good at bluffing.

Novice players can start with this type of poker usually played in private homes and gatherings.