The Basics of Poker
Poker is a card game where players compete for chips and hands. Each player has a certain number of chips that they must place into the pot before the hand is shown to the rest of the players. This is known as a “forced bet”. There are three types of forced bets: blinds, antes, and bring-ins.
Players begin the game by dealing a pack of cards to themselves. As the game continues, players pass turns and bet. The turn to deal and bet passes from player to player until a jack is dealt. The dealer is identified by a small disc called the “button” and is passed clockwise to each player after each deal.
Among the many types of poker hands, the best is the “nuts.” It’s the best possible hand that a player can have at any given moment. For example, a trip seven is considered a “nuts” hand. Another hand with high rank is the “backdoor flush,” where a player can achieve it by hitting the required cards on the turn and river.
Poker is played with five or more players. The ideal number is six to eight players. The sum of all the bets placed by players in a given deal is called the “pot”. A player who has the best poker hand wins the pot.