The game of Poker, like many other card games, involves a combination of chance and skill. While the initial forced bets (called blinds) and subsequent betting rounds involve an element of luck, over time, a player’s application of skill can virtually eliminate this variance.
Before the cards are even dealt, the players must put a small contribution, called an ante, into the pot. The player to the left of the dealer begins the betting.
After the initial 2 cards are dealt, a 3rd card is flipped face up – this is the flop. Then a fourth card is dealt face up – this is the turn. Then there is another round of betting, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.
Once the cards are revealed, the players must decide whether to stay in their hand and try to win with a high ranking card hand or fold and lose their money. Some hands are better than others, but even a weak hand can be played well with good bluffing techniques and luck.
A strong poker hand consists of 5 cards of the same rank, such as a pair of Kings. A full house contains 3 matching cards of one rank and two matching cards of another rank. A flush consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit. A straight contains five cards that skip around in rank but are all from the same suit. A three of a kind is two matching cards of one rank plus an unmatched third card.