The Basics of Poker

Generally, Poker is played with a 52-card deck, a set of five-card poker hands, and chips. There are a number of different variants of the game, and some of these games may use a single deck of cards or even multiple packs. Some games also add jokers, which are wild cards that can take any suit.

The earliest version of Poker is likely to have originated in Persia or Europe in the 17th century, although it’s hard to know for sure. A popular rumor suggests that the game spread to the United States via French settlers, but there are no concrete facts to support this. Regardless of where it came from, Poker has spread around the world. It’s a gambling game that is played with a deck of cards, a large round table, and chairs.

The best hand is a five-card straight, which beats a straight flush, a pair of kings, a pair of aces, and a pair of jacks. The lowest possible hand is a 7-5-4-3-2 in two or more suits.

When a player has two identical hands, the highest card is the winner. Ties break if several players have the same highest card. For example, a pair of kings and a pair of aces aren’t bad off the deal, but it’s easy to break a tie with a high card.

When a player’s hand is tied, the pot is divided among the two players. If the pot is split, each player must put in the same amount of chips as the player who bet before them.