A Beginner’s Guide to Poker

Whether you play poker for money or fun, there are a few things you need to know. You will have to play according to the rules and follow the instructions of the dealer.

To start the game, each player must post the small blind and big blind. The small blind is a forced bet, which gives players something to chase. It’s worth a minimum of twenty cents.

The first player to the left of the button is the first to act. He is obligated to make the first bet. When no one has a pair, a high card breaks ties. The player with the highest pair wins the pot. Depending on the game, the high card can break ties if several people have a hand with the same type of card.

The dealer is the person who deals the cards. He moves one position clockwise every time a hand is played. He will also have the last chance to shuffle.

The player in first-to-act position sits immediately to the left of the button. He is obligated to post the big blind, which is a forced bet.

Poker is played with a standard pack of 52 cards. The cards are ranked from Ace to Jack. Some games have Wild Cards, which can take any suit.

The aim of poker is to create the best hand possible. The best hand is a “straight” of five cards in sequential order. A straight can be either two pairs of cards or a straight flush. A straight flush is made up of five cards of the same suit. This is achieved by hitting the needed cards on the turn and the river.