Poker, or ‘Poque’, is a family of card games. There are several different types, but all involve some form of betting. The game is played in a variety of formats, but most are played with a standard deck of 52 cards.
Each player has a hand, usually made up of five cards. These cards are dealt face-up or face-down depending on the poker version.
There are also a number of unwritten rules, which ensure that the game is played properly. Abusing these rules isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can cause problems and may even prompt players to leave.
Some of the more important rules of poker include maintaining a chip stack that is well organized and keeping your hole cards near you at all times. This is important because you can make an aggressive move without having to show your hand, which could lead to a showdown.
A dealer or floorperson is responsible for handling each hand. They may deal to a single player at a time or shuffle a group of cards. Cards are then distributed clockwise around the table.
After the first round of betting, all but one player folds. The remaining player then collects the pot.
Players can also make a forced bet, which is a bet that is not made in a free-roll. Such a bet is often made when a player is in low position.
An ante is a pre-set amount of money that is posted by all players before the start of a hand. Once the ante is in place, the dealer cuts the cards.
