| Hands are ranked depending upon a set of | | | | game being played. Bets are placed in rounds |
| predetermined rules in which higher cards are | | | | during which players may have the opportunity to |
| worth more than lower cards, Pairs and sets of | | | | add or replace cards in their hand. Each player |
| similar cards and various combinations of cards all | | | | either calls or folds. Folding involves giving up your |
| have their own score or ranking. Players bet on | | | | claim to the pot and discarding your hand. Calling |
| the value of their hand by placing a bet into a | | | | involves either checking, matching or raising. |
| central pot. The winning player is the one with the | | | | Checking is calling the current bet of zero. I.e. no |
| highest ranked hand or the one who remains | | | | one has yet started with the betting. Matching is |
| after all other players have folded. Poker like all | | | | placing a bet equal to previous players. To raise is |
| card games has almost an infinite number of | | | | to increase the bet already on the table, forcing all |
| variations but the basic premise is the same. | | | | subsequent players to call the new amount. Bets |
| Basic strategy: You should play poker as if you | | | | are placed in front of the player not placed |
| know what your opponents hand is and try to | | | | directly into the pot so the amount can be |
| bluff your opponents into thinking your hand is | | | | confirmed. If during a round a player makes a bet |
| different (usually better) than it actually is. A | | | | and no one matches or calls that bet (i.e. folds) |
| house dealer may be used or players take it in | | | | the remaining player receives the pot. |
| turns to act as dealer to shuffle/distribute cards | | | | Different games have different rules as to how |
| and determine the order of betting, usually | | | | to fold, check or raise etc. No hidden cards are |
| clockwise round the table. One or more players | | | | required to be shown, which is what makes |
| are made to place initial bets (called a blind or | | | | bluffing possible. If at the end of the last betting |
| ante) before the cards are dealt in order to | | | | round more than one player remains cards are |
| create a stake for which to play. Opening bets | | | | revealed and highest hand wins the pot. |
| maybe subject to varying rules depending on the | | | | |