How to Play Poker

Poker is a betting card game that requires the ability to read opponents and make big bluffs. Ultimately, the object is to win the “pot,” the total of all bets made during one deal. The pot may be won by having the highest-ranking hand or by making a bet that no one else calls.

A standard pack of 52 cards (with some variant games using more than one pack or adding a few jokers) is used. Cards are ranked in order from high to low: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.

The dealer shuffles the cards, then deals each player one card at a time face up until a jack appears. The turn to open and bet, as well as the right to cut, passes clockwise from player to player. After each round, players discard and draw 1 to 3 new cards to their hands. The remaining cards are added to the draw stack.

If you want to bet more money than the previous person, say “call” or “I call.” Your new bet must be at least as much as the last one; otherwise you’re raising your bet and possibly putting other players into a tough spot.