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The Basics of Poker

Poker

Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players for a number of rounds. Each round begins with each player putting money down to bet. The dealer deals cards from a standard 52-card deck, and the player with the best five-card hand wins all of the money in the pot.

The first betting round begins with the two players to the left of the dealer posting their respective blinds (small and big blind). Once everyone has made their ante, the dealers deal one card face-down and three cards face-up. The small blind (or the player to his left still in the hand) acts first in this and every succeeding round by folding, calling, or raising.

In some variants, a player may “check” to stay in the hand without making a bet, provided no one has made a bet before them. This is called “sandbagging,” and it is allowed unless it is decided beforehand that it is prohibited.

Next, the dealer “burns” one card from the top of the deck and deals three community cards to the table (the flop). The small blind, or the player to his left still in the hand, acts first on this and every succeeding flop by folding, checking, or raising.

The dealer then deals the last card to each player on the board, and the player with the best five-card poker hand wins all of the money in the pot. If there is a tie among the best hands, the pot is divided equally between the tied players.