Basic Rules of Poker

Whether you play poker at home or at the casino, there are a few basic rules you need to know. Most games involve one or more rounds of betting. The player with the best hand wins the pot. You can also win by bluffing.

A poker hand is composed of five cards. The highest card wins, but if two or more players have the same hand, the high card breaks the tie.

There are many variations of the game. Some include a “wild card” that can take any suit. Others use multiple packs, and some add jokers to the mix.

Each player receives two or three cards face-up. The dealer may or may not shuffle. If he does, he has the last say.

Each player then has the option to check or to bet. The bet is placed clockwise. The player to the left of the big blind has the first turn to bet.

After the bet, the player to the right is allowed to place the same amount. The dealer then shuffles the deck, discarding some of the cards. The dealer will then “burn” one of the cards from the top of the deck.

The dealer will then deal the remaining three community cards to each player. Each player has the option to either bet, re-bet, or fold.

The ante is the “buy in” for the round. This is generally a small bet, often between $1 and $5.

The kitty is a special fund that belongs to all the players. The kitty is used to pay for the new packs of cards. If you leave the game before the kitty is empty, you’ll miss out on your share.