Poker: An Introduction
Poker is a card game for 2 to 10 players and is played with a standard 52-card deck.
The first stage of a poker game is referred to as the ‘deal’ where each player is dealt 2 cards face down. These are referred to as the ‘hole’ cards. Each player may only view their own hole cards. They may not view those of any other player.
An additional 5 cards are then dealt, also face down. These cards are referred to as the ‘community’ cards since they can be used by all the players to make a poker hand. This stage of the game is referred to as the ‘preflop’.
Each player, in turn, then either bets, calls or folds. Each player’s action is dependent upon the perceived strength of their ‘hole’ cards and/or their ability to bluff other players, with stronger hands, into thinking that they actually hold weaker hands. If a player folds, their participation in the game is ended and their bets made, to this point, forfeited.
When this round of the betting is complete, the first 3 ‘community’ cards are revealed. This stage is referred to as the ‘flop’. Each player is now able to see 5 cards – their 2 hole cards and 3 of the 5 ‘community’ cards. Again, a round of betting takes place in which each player either bets, raises or folds.
When this round of the betting is complete, the fourth ‘community’ card is revealed. This is referred to as the ‘turn’ card. Each player is now able to see 6 cards – their 2 hole cards and 4 of the 5 ‘community’ cards. At this stage, each player mentally constructs the best 5-card hand that can be made from the 6 cards that they are privy to and the remaining card is mentally discarded. Each player then determines the strength of their hand relative to the probable strengths of their opponents’ hands. Again, a round of betting takes place in which each player either bets, raises or folds.
When this round of the betting is complete, the last ‘community’ card, referred to as the ‘river’ card, is revealed. Each player is now able to see 7 cards – their 2 hole cards and all 5 of the ‘community’ cards. At this stage, each of the players mentally constructs the best 5-card hand that can be made from the 7 cards that they are privy to and the remaining two cards are mentally discarded. Each player then determines the strength of their hand relative to the probable strengths of their opponents’ hands. Again, a round of betting takes place in which each player either bets, raises or folds.
When this round of the betting is complete, the game is ended. Of the players who have not folded, the one with the highest hand is declared the winner. That player also wins all the money bet by all the other players during the betting phases of the game.
Poker hands, in order of priority, are:
1. Royal Flush - 10, jack, queen, king and ace of the same suite.
2. Straight flush - 5 consecutive cards of the same suite e.g. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of hearts.
3. Four of a kind - four cards of the same denomination e.g. 3, 6, 6, 6 and 6.
4. Full house - 3 cards of one denomination and 2 cards of a second denomination e.g. k, k, k, 3 and 3.
5. Flush - any 5 cards of the same suite.
6. Straight - 5 consecutive cards of any suite e.g. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
7. 3 of a kind - 3 cards of one denomination e.g. 3, 3, 3, 9, and 10.
8. 2 pairs – 2 cards of one denomination and 2 cards of a second denomination e.g. k, k, 3, 3 and 8.
9. One pair - 2 cards of one denomination e.g. k, k, 3, 5 and 8.
10. High – The highest denominated card in the hand e.g. A, 3, 2, 8 and 9.