Poker Rules

Poker is a game that has hundreds of variations, so a general set of rules cannot be given. Most variants, however, will follow a general game structure, common moves, and terminology. Here they shall be overviewed to assist in introducing you to the game of Poker.

• Ante -a compulsory small bet posted by all players before cards are dealt.

• Bet - to add money to the pot.

• Bring-in - to make the first bet on the first round of a hand.

• Call - to match the current bet.

• Check - to bet $0, or pass your turn, when no other player has wagered money.

• Fold - to abandon your hand/forfeit, done by “mucking” your cards.

• Raise - to increase the amount of the bet.

• Pot - all the collected money that is awarded to the winner.

Poker is made up of a number of betting-rounds, in which all bets made constitute the pot. The number of rounds differs between Poker variants, as does the number of cards dealt in each round. Play moves clockwise, and always starts with the player left-most of the dealer, indicated by a disc symbol called the “button”.

1. If antes are used, they are posted. Sometimes “blinds” are used instead, and are forced initial bets made by the first 2 players. The small blind is half the minimum betting amount, the big blind is the full minimum amount.
2. The bring-in round of betting begins. Players are dealt several face-down cards called “hole/pocket” cards, and a single face-up card is dealt (“board cards”) for all players. This round is sometimes called the “Flop”.
3. In each subsequent betting-round, an additional board card is dealt for players to complete their hands. The last two betting rounds are called the “Turn” and “River” respectively.
4. At the “Showdown”, all players reveal their final hands to determine the highest, who is awarded the pot. This is done according to Poker hand rankings, using a certain number of hole cards and a certain number of board cards.