As playing poker become more and more popular, it is increasingly more important for every day people to understand the importance of the game. Many people will be asked to play or watch the game in social situations and knowing how to play the game and knowing how the game works can make playing and watching more interesting and more fun. No one wants to be left out and the game provides an excellent past time for people of all ages and backgrounds.



Poker is a card game that requires that players vie for a central pot full of chips that may or may not represent money. The pot is awarded to the player with the best combination of cards or to the player who makes an uncalled bet.









Poker is a game with hundreds of variations, but all versions follow the same basic pattern. The dealing position rotates among all the players. This position is normally marked by a dealer button. In a casino, a house dealer handles the cards for each hand, and the button is rotated clockwise among the players to help the dealer determine the order of betting.



In some versions of poker, players are required to make forced bets called blinds or antes at the beginning of each hand to help raise the action in the game. The dealer shuffles, cuts and the cards are dealt to the players, one at a time, in a clockwise direction. After the deal, the first of several betting grounds begins. As the rounds progress, the players hands develop and the betting continues as more cards are dealt or previously dealt cards are replaced. All bets are gathered into the central pot.



When players bet during the betting round, opponents are required to fold, call or raise. If no opponents choose to match the bet or raise, the hand ends immediately and the bettor wins the pot. No cards are required to be shown and the next hand begins. Because the hand is not revealed, bluffing is possible.



If more than one player remains at the end of the last betting round, there will be a showdown. All remaining players must reveal their hands. The player with the best hand ranking wins the pot.



The three most popular variants of poker are draw poker, stud poker and community card poker.



In draw poker, players receive five or more cards, which are hidden and then can replace these cards a certain number of times throughout a hand.



In stud poker, players receive cards one a time, some of which are displayed to their opponents.



In community card poker, such as the ever popular Texas Hold’em, players receive hidden pocket cards one at a time and then receive other community cards which are displayed on the poker table.



Poker has been around for hundreds of years. Learning at least one variation of the game is time well spent. If you’re not sure which version to learn, try Texas Hold’em. It’s the most popular variant on the market today.

By: Cyman Harrison -

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Cyman Harrison writes for several Texas Holdem websites including www.PokerTipsandStrategies.com which provides resources to help poker players improve their skills. Do you want to WIN more at Texas Holdem? Get your FREE Poker Guide at: www.holdemadvancedstrategy.com/texas-holdem.html