Poker is a family of card games that are played in a variety of different forms around the world. The main goal of the game is to make the best hand possible. In some variations, players can split the pot between their highest and lowest hands. However, in most poker games, the winner takes the pot.
Most poker variants are based on the standard deck of 52 cards, with some games using smaller packs. Typically, the first five cards of each hand are dealt face-up and the remaining cards are dealt face-down. Some games use a “strip” format, where all of the cards are dealt in a single round.
During the course of play, cards are dealt to each player one at a time, and betting begins. After the initial rounds of betting, each player is allowed to discard up to three cards. At this point, a “showdown” occurs. If all but one player folds, the final round of betting takes place.
Before the cards are discarded, each player is given a chance to see their hand. This allows them to make a decision on whether to raise or call the previous bet. They then take a look at the rest of the cards.
After all the bets have been made, the dealer then cuts the cards and deals each hand to the player. This is usually done in a clockwise fashion.
The dealer’s button, or buck, is a white plastic disk. It indicates the nominal dealer.