Various variations of poker are played in clubs and casinos across the world. The game is played by a group of players around an oval table. Cards are dealt to each player one at a time, and each player receives a face-up card. The player with the best hand wins the pot. Often, a player will be required to make a contribution to the pot before the cards are dealt. In addition to the contribution, the player may be required to bluff. Using bluffing tactics, players try to convince other players that they have a good hand.
There are four types of poker games. These are: straight poker, draw poker, community card poker, and stud poker. Each game has its own rules and card dealing method. Some of the more common poker variations include:
Straight poker: Each player receives one card face-up and must make a bet. The first bettor must make a minimum bet. The bet is usually a fixed amount. If the first bettor raises the minimum bet, he or she is considered to have made a raise. The remaining players then evaluate their hands. If they have the same hand, the tie is broken by the highest unmatched card. If the tie is broken by the lowest card, then the highest hand wins the pot. In some poker games, the lowest hand is considered to be a pair of jacks, while in others, the lowest hand is a pair of aces.
Draw poker: Each player receives five cards, and can discard up to three cards. Players then draw another card to replace the original card. Players who draw a five-card hand are called draw poker players. In this game, the maximum ante is usually twice as high as the initial ante. The active player can then discard the unwanted card and receive replacement cards from the remaining unshuffled portion of the deck. This is the most popular poker variation.
Community card poker: This game involves six or more players. Players make bets in each round, and each round is interrupted by a betting interval. If a player bets during a betting interval, the other players must match the bet. If no other player raises during a betting interval, the pot is won by the highest hand. The game can be played with any number of players. Usually, the minimum ante is one chip. If the game involves lowball or split-pot poker, a higher ante applies to players who have exposed pairs. The game is similar to the French game primero.
Stud poker: Stud poker involves two or more betting intervals, with each interval being divided into several levels. The first bet of each level is made by the player on the left. The next bet is made by the player on the right. If the player on the left bets, he or she is called a raiser, while the player on the right is called a caller. In the final bet interval, the players have the option of betting more, raising the ante, or both.