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The Basics of Poker

The Basics of Poker

In poker, hands consist of pairs of cards. The highest pair wins, and the next highest pair wins if more than one person has the same kind of high hand. A pair of cards can be either an open-ended or closed straight, but an open-ended straight can be completed by any pair of cards. The higher card is considered the high card and breaks ties in this situation.

A game of poker involves seven to ten players. In general, the game uses two or four different colored chips. The most common types of poker chips are white, blue, and red. White chips are the lowest-valued, while red chips are worth five or ten. In a game of poker with more than seven players, two games can be organized, each involving fewer players.

Poker can be played with any number of players, but the ideal number is six to eight players. The total amount of bets by all players in a round is called the pot. A player wins the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by betting that no other player calls. Poker can be quite a competitive game, so the right rules and strategy can make a big difference.

Unlike most games, the amount of money a player can bet is limited. A player may not bet more than the amount in the pot at any given time. However, if a player raises, those chips count toward the total.