The Basics of Poker

Generally, poker is played by a group of people with a standard pack of 52 cards. In some variant games, jokers are used. During the game, players use their cards to try to make a hand that is better than the other players’ hands. In poker, cards are ranked from Ace to ten.

In poker, players are required to make forced bets before the deal. These are called blinds. They give players something to chase and can be anything from a small amount to $5.

After the deal, the cards are shuffled. The cards are then dealt to each player. The player to the left of the button is the first to act. He must post a small blind and a big blind. The dealer also deals cards one at a time.

Each player has two cards, one of which is shown in profile. The rest are hidden. If there are several players with a high card, the highest card outside of a four of a kind wins. This breaks ties.

A flush is a hand of five cards of the same suit. A straight is made up of five cards in order. A pair is two cards of the same suit and two cards of a different suit.

The highest hand wins the pot. In poker, a “full house” is a hand made up of three aces and two sixes. A straight flush is a five card straight in the same suit.