Poker Rules

For the most part the rules of poker are fairly simple and it's these basic principles that bond, in one way or another, almost all games that are categorized as poker. Its important to understand that simply knowing the rules will not make you a great player.

The rules of poker are based on ranking card hands that are most often compiled from an ordinary deck of 52 cards. This deck of cards contains four suits, Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades. Each of these suits contain thirteen cards ranking from highest to lowest and is as follows: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. (See our poker hands by rank.)

The goal in poker is to obtain the highest hand and thus win the money in the pot. This can also be accomplished by forcing all other players out of the game by utilizing a good bluff, or by making intelligent wagers. Simply put the last player standing at the end of a hand wins the pot.

Each hand can be considered a game within the game of poker for every hand provides players with the opportunity to win the current hands pot. A hand begins with each player putting an ante in the pot. This tells the dealer that the player wishes to join the game and be dealt a hand. The dealer will deal the cards according to the specific rules of the game being played. The dealer will deal to the player on his left and continue clockwise until all players have their card('s.)

Betting will then commence with the player that was dealt to first having the first opportunity to place a bet. Moving from left to right each player will have a chance to either make a bet or check (pass.) When the first player makes a bet the next player in line will have several choices: to fold, raise, or call.

A fold means that the player is withdrawing from the game and wishes to make no additional bets to win the pot. When folding the player will discard all of their cards and will no longer participate in that hands play. A raise means that he player will match the previous bet and increase it by better more. The call is accomplished by betting an equal amount to the previous bet. The betting will end when all players have called the highest bet or when all but one player have folded.

At this time players will have a showdown to see who has achieved the best hand and who will win the pot. It shall be the obligation of the player that made the last bet or raise to show their hand first. Once other players have seen this hand they may either show their hands or not. Of course if they don't show their hands they can't win the pot.

The player with the highest hand will win the pot and the next hand will begin with all players who wish to participate making an ante. In most games played within your home the dealer will rotate from left to right with each player having the opportunity to be the dealer. This may also give each dealer the opportunity to name the game as there are literally hundreds of variations on the game of poker. Mixing it up will surely provide you with hours upon hours of enjoyment.

Each of these variations may have specific game rules that you will need to know about, but in most cases the object will be to obtain the best five card hand. We wish you luck and hope that you will always remember to have lots of fun while playing poker.