Whether you want to play at home, on vacation, or at the casino, there are hundreds of poker variants to choose from. Regardless of the type of game you choose to play, there are some basic rules you should follow.
There are four types of poker hands. The first is one pair. A pair is composed of two cards of the same suit. The other is a Full House. A Full House is made up of three cards of different ranks.
The second is a two pair hand. A pair of different ranks is called a “flush”. The third is a three of a kind, or a “straight”. A straight is five cards in order. Depending on the poker variation, you may be able to add a Wild Card. This card can take any suit.
The fifth is a high card. A high card breaks ties if more than one person has the same card. When a player has a pair, the highest card wins.
When there are ties, the highest straight or three of a kind will win. The highest hand, or the best five-card hand, will win the pot.
The bluffing element is a big part of poker. When you are playing, you are trying to convince others that you have the best hand. If you do not have the best hand, you should be quiet.
The ante is the bet you make before the cards are dealt. Typically, the ante is a small amount, such as $1 or $5.