Originally played in private homes and poker clubs, poker has grown to become a popular sport throughout the world. It is most popular in North America, where the game has been termed the national card game.
A standard hand in poker consists of five cards. The lowest possible hand is 7-5-4-3-2 in two or more suits. The ace is sometimes treated as the lowest card in some games.
In a stud poker game, each player receives three faceup cards. Players have the option to discard any cards they do not want to use. The dealer is the last person to shuffle. Professional dealers are used in tournament play.
In a pot limit game, the maximum amount a player can bet or raise is customarily set. A pot is the aggregate of all bets made by all players in one deal. If a player makes a bet that no other player calls, he or she wins the pot.
Poker is most commonly played with six to eight players. The number of players depends on the type of poker. A pot can be won by the highest ranking poker hand. The pot may also be won by two or more hands if there are side pots.
All poker types involve at least one round of betting. Each round involves a different type of betting. A bet is called a raise if it is more than the previous bettor’s bet. A check means that the next player in the hand is passing the action on.