The Basics of Poker

In Poker, the aim of a hand is to have the best ranking combination of cards, and to win the game by betting until all other players have dropped out. The winner of a hand is the player with the best hand, and all money bet during the hand goes to them. If the game ends in a tie, the pot is divided evenly among all players. But if no player has the best hand, then the game is still a draw.

There are various variations of poker. For example, the game Three-Card Monte can be played with less than five cards, while Spit-in-the-Ocean is played with only two cards. All Poker variants will be described later in this chapter. However, if more than ten people are present, two separate games may be organized. The foundation is the most important part of the game, and this is the basis on which all other aspects of the game are built.

In Poker, the pot is the central fund of the game. All money is placed in it, including the chips. When more than one player raises a pot, a low denomination chip is deposited into the pot. The kitty belongs to all players equally and is used to buy new decks of cards, food, and beverages. The chips that fall into the kitty are split among players who are still in the game. Any player who leaves the Poker table before the end of the game forfeits his or her share of the kitty.