Poker is a card game in which players compete against one another by placing bets based on the value of their poker hand. Unlike other card games, poker is played using chips instead of cash.

Poker History

There are a number of different games that share similarities to the modern form of poker. These include Belle, Flux & Trente-un (French, 17th – 18th centuries), Post & Pair (English and American, 17th-18th centuries) and its derivative Brag (18th century to present).

A betting round occurs in which each player can bet/check/raise or fold. If more than one player is still left in the hand after the final betting hand the cards are exposed and the highest ranked hand wins the pot.

The best hand at a given time is known as the “nuts.” This is determined by the flop, turn and river. A hand that has a pair of jacks, two aces or a full house is considered to be the nut hands.

Position is also important in Poker. It gives a player greater bluff equity, or the ability to make cheap and effective bluffs.

To start a poker game, each player must place an initial amount of money into the pot called an ante. This ante is typically a small amount and it is decided by the table. After the ante, the dealer will deal the cards face down to each player.