Hundreds of variations of poker are played around the world. Some of these variants include Wild Cards, which are cards that take any suit. In others, the game is played with multiple packs of cards. Poker is also played professionally, where players bet hundreds of dollars on a hand.
A poker hand is made of five cards. The highest hand wins the pot, which is the total amount of bets made by all players in a single deal. When more than one player remains, the showdown occurs. During the showdown, players reveal their cards.
Poker is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The deck is divided into four suits: hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs. Each suit has a ranking of Ace through King. Poker hands consist of a pair of cards from each suit, as well as a fifth card. Some games also add jokers.
Poker is played with any number of players. The ideal number is six to eight. Most games involve a blind bet before cards are dealt.
The first bettor is the player who makes the first bet. If the first bettor raises, the player who matched the bet is said to call. The player who bets less than the previous bettor is said to fold.
Players evaluate their hands and calculate a range based on probability and game theory. This range is typically written down. Some players also talk about the range, using common shorthand such as “JJ+” for “select pocket Jacks.”
The first round of betting begins with the dealer, who shuffles the cards. The dealer is responsible for cutting the cards. The dealer can then offer the shuffled pack to the opponent for a cut.
