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The Basics of Poker Games by Suzanne Lyon
The Basics of Poker Games by Suzanne Lyon 
During this time each player has the option to discard their cards from zero to all five cards. When the player discards the cards they place them faced down and the dealer collects them.
The Dealer then replaces the same number of cards to the player from the top of the remaining deck.
A second betting interval occurs and the player who "opened" gets the first bet. This player can either bet or pass. "Passing" is when a player does not bet anything. If the opener passes then the next active player to their left can do the same. After the first bet each of the remaining players need to fold, call, or raise until the bets are even. The Dealer is the last player to place a bet, once this is done the other players can either fold or call any unpaid bets. Once the bets are even or after all the active players have passed the "showdown" begins.
The remaining players now begin a final betting round. At this time all the remaining player's show their hands. This is called the "showdown" where the player with the highest hand wins the pot.
Royal Flush: ace, king, queen, jack, 10, all the same suit
Straight Flush: any five cards in sequence, all the same suit
Four of a Kind: any four cards of the same value (ex. four 8's)\
Full House: three of a kind and a pair
Flush: any hand of five cards of the same suit
Straight: any five cards in sequence but not all the same suit
Three of a Kind: three cards, same value (ex. three 6's)
Two Pairs: two cards of any one rank and two cards of any other rank
One Pair: any two cards of the same value.
No Pair/ High card: five unmatched cards, mixed suit
The Draw Poker game does not use wild cards and all the suits are ranked equally.
Sometimes the game ends with a tie of winning hands. This is when the rank of the single cards are used to establish the winner. An example of this is when a Full House of Kings over Jacks beat a Full House of Queens over Jacks. If there are no "kicker" cards, which are extra cards that are not used in the final hand, the two players then divide the pot equally. Then if the rank of the cards can't distinguish the winner the "kicker" cards are used. One kicker card is dealt to each player and the one with the highest ranked kicker card is the winner. If there's still a tie the pot is divided between the two players. If the players have a "No Pair" hand, then the player with the highest ranking individual card is the winner but if each player has all the same ranked cards in their hand and the score is still even then the two players divide the pot. Although tie breakers are needed in poker to establish the winner suits are never used for this purpose.
Playing Poker is a learned skill that involves strategy and lots of luck. There is more to the game than just betting and getting a high ranking hand. Winning the largest pot is the goal. There are many tips and hints available to help players achieve this objective. Poker is one of those exciting games that is not only entertaining but keep players coming back for more. It is an ever evolving game as well with so many variations and unique rules it keeps the game alive and interesting. So, give it a try and enjoy the fun and exciting world of Poker!
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A second betting interval occurs and the player who "opened" gets the first bet. This player can either bet or pass. "Passing" is when a player does not bet anything. If the opener passes then the next active player to their left can do the same. After the first bet each of the remaining players need to fold, call, or raise until the bets are even. The Dealer is the last player to place a bet, once this is done the other players can either fold or call any unpaid bets. Once the bets are even or after all the active players have passed the "showdown" begins.
The remaining players now begin a final betting round. At this time all the remaining player's show their hands. This is called the "showdown" where the player with the highest hand wins the pot.
Poker hands from highest to lowest
The Draw Poker game does not use wild cards and all the suits are ranked equally.
Sometimes the game ends with a tie of winning hands. This is when the rank of the single cards are used to establish the winner. An example of this is when a Full House of Kings over Jacks beat a Full House of Queens over Jacks. If there are no "kicker" cards, which are extra cards that are not used in the final hand, the two players then divide the pot equally. Then if the rank of the cards can't distinguish the winner the "kicker" cards are used. One kicker card is dealt to each player and the one with the highest ranked kicker card is the winner. If there's still a tie the pot is divided between the two players. If the players have a "No Pair" hand, then the player with the highest ranking individual card is the winner but if each player has all the same ranked cards in their hand and the score is still even then the two players divide the pot. Although tie breakers are needed in poker to establish the winner suits are never used for this purpose.
Playing Poker is a learned skill that involves strategy and lots of luck. There is more to the game than just betting and getting a high ranking hand. Winning the largest pot is the goal. There are many tips and hints available to help players achieve this objective. Poker is one of those exciting games that is not only entertaining but keep players coming back for more. It is an ever evolving game as well with so many variations and unique rules it keeps the game alive and interesting. So, give it a try and enjoy the fun and exciting world of Poker!
About the Author
Suzanne Lyon works for Softgame Company, maker of card games, video poker and puzzles. She writes articles for the Company web sites.Back to Page One
