The Basics of Poker

Poker is a game of chance where players compete for an amount of money (or chips) contributed by the players themselves. The aim of each player is to win the pot by holding the best hand, based on their predictions of what their opponents may hold and how they might play.

The main forms of poker are Draw Poker and Stud Poker. Both games use a standard 52-card deck, often with an additional one or two jokers.

Cards are dealt face down, with the dealer distributing them to the players in a clockwise order. The first betting round starts with the person who has the big blind and then continues clockwise until all of the players have a chance to make a bet or fold.

CALL: To raise a bet, usually by a fixed amount. CHECK: To check the amount of the highest bet before you, and to then raise it by at least the same amount when your turn comes up.

TIE: A hand that has a tie for highest card. A tie is resolved by dealing a new card and allowing the two hands to act against each other.

ACTIONS: Players must act in a timely manner to maintain a reasonable pace of the game and avoid delays that could lead to bad play or other problems. A TD may call the clock or approve a request from a player, and may take other steps to fit the game and stop persistent delays.