Top Categories

The Basics of Poker

The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game that is played throughout the world. It is played in private homes, poker clubs, and over the Internet. The rules of poker are based on the game of stud, and players use cards to make their best 5-card hand.

Basics

Before a player can begin playing, they must “buy in,” which is usually done by purchasing a number of chips. Each chip is worth a certain minimum ante or bet amount.

The dealer deals the cards, one at a time, to the players, starting with the player on the left of the button. Then each player reveals their cards, and the players take turns betting.

Each player may choose to call a bet, raise the bet, or fold (to not make a bet). If no players have made a bet in an interval, they can check.

If a bet is called, the player puts the same number of chips into the pot as they had previously called. If a raise is called, the player puts in more chips than they had originally called.

In addition to the antes and blinds, some games also require players to bet in sets of three. These sets are called “blinds.” Often these blinds are forced bets. These forced bets help the players chase the ante or bet, and they also give the players something to aim for.