Our full Poker audio range click here
Play Poker like the Pros Phil Hellmuth click here
Phil Gordon's little Green Book of Poker click here
Poker is a popular type of card game in which players bet on the value of the card combination ("hand") in their possession, by placing a bet into a central pot. The winner is the one who holds the hand with the highest value according to an established hand rankings hierarchy, or otherwise the player who remains "in the hand" after all others have folded (the player who makes an un-called bet.).
Poker has many variations, all following a similar pattern of play. Depending on the variant, hands may be formed using cards which are concealed from others, or from a combination of concealed cards and community cards.
In casual play, the right to deal a hand typically rotates among the players and is marked by a token called a 'dealer' button (or "buck"). In a casino, a house dealer handles the cards for each hand, but the button (typically a white plastic disk) is rotated clockwise among the players to indicate a nominal dealer to determine the order of betting.
One or more players are required to make forced bets (usually called a 'blind' or an 'ante') to create an initial stake for which the players will contest. The dealer shuffles the cards, cuts, and deals the appropriate number of cards to the players one at a time. Cards may be dealt either face-up or face-down, depending on the variant of poker being played. After the initial deal, the first of what may be several betting rounds begins. Between rounds, the players' hands develop in some way, often by being dealt additional cards or replacing cards previously dealt. At the end of each round, all bets are gathered into the central pot.
At any time during a betting round, if one player bets and no opponents choose to call (match) the bet, the hand ends immediately, the bettor is awarded the pot, no cards are required to be shown, and the next hand begins. This is what makes bluffing possible. Bluffing is a primary feature of poker, one that distinguishes it from other vying games and from other games that make use of poker hand rankings.
At the end of the last betting round, if more than one player remains, there is a showdown, in which the players reveal their previously hidden cards and evaluate their hands. The player with the best hand according to the poker variant being played wins the pot. A poker hand consists of five cards, but in some variants a player has more than five to choose from.
The most popular poker variants are as follows:
Draw poker
Players each receive five — as in five-card draw — or more cards, all of which are hidden. They can then replace one or more of these cards a certain number of times.
Stud poker
Players each receive five — as in five-card stud — or more cards; some cards are dealt face up, one at a time, and displayed to other players at the table. The key differences between stud and 'draw' poker are that players are not allowed to discard or replace any cards in stud poker and that part of a players' hand in stud is exposed rather than the entire hand being hidden as in draw.
Community card poker
Players combine individually dealt cards with a number of "community cards" dealt face up and shared by all players. Each player will attempt to make the best five card poker hand using the community cards and their own face down cards. Two or four individual cards are dealt in the most popular variations, Texas hold 'em and Omaha hold 'em, respectively.
Poker News
Qualify for the SCOOP Main Events via PokerStars' Power Path PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 5:30 pm
PokerStars Reports Worst Month for Online Poker Revenue in Pennsylvania Poker Industry PRO
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 5:26 pm
News: The people want flatter payout structures pokerstrategy.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 4:02 pm
Hometown Hero helps veterans with poker run WYTV
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 1:08 pm
Jamie Gold & Phil Hellmuth Compete Against Commerce Casino Pros in Livestreamed Game PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 9:17 am
Phil Hellmuth Hustler Casino Live Tournament PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 8:50 am
Free Poker Network's 'Step in the Ring' National Championship at Golden Nugget Takes Place May 31 PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 8:30 am
BetMGM Poker Nevada More Likely With Full License for Entain Bonus.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 5:45 am
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Wins Triton Montenegro Main Event For .7 Million - Poker News CardPlayer.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 5:31 am
Golden Knights star to appear at opening of World Series of Poker Las Vegas Review-Journal
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 3:31 am
Poker Champion Jailed for Six Months PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 3:30 am
Full Tilt Poker No Deposit Bonus 2024: How to Play Without Depositing Complete Sports
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 3:29 am
888poker Royal Premiere Offers Free Online Poker Tournament Entries Pokerfuse
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 3:28 am
Inside SCOOP | 2024 PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 2:43 am
Global Poker's Rattlesnake Open VII Enters Its Third and Final Week PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 2:30 am
Ivey Out in Fourth as Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Wins Triton Montenegro 5K Main Event for .7M PokerNews.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 2:03 am
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Wins Triton Montenegro Main Event for 37000 contents.pokerstake.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 1:49 am
Massachusetts Gaming Regulators Studying Online Gaming - Poker News CardPlayer.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 1:42 am
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 12:45 am
Jikai Zhang Outlasts 1,291 Entries In WPT Prime Montreal - Poker News CardPlayer.com
Posted on 23 May 2024 | 12:40 am
Nick Petrangelo Wins Triton Montenegro ,000 Turbo Event - Poker News CardPlayer.com
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 11:56 pm
Which Countries Are Leading the Way in Online Poker 2024? PokerTube
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 11:56 pm
EvenBet Partners with Slotegrator for Top-Tier Poker Games World Casino Directory
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 10:51 pm
Crypto Poker Site CoinPoker Enters Week 3 Of Mil... HighstakesDB
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 9:31 pm
Nick Petrangelo Wins First Triton Event in Montenegro PokerNews.com
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 9:30 pm
Check out the Irish Poker TOur Portugal Adventure Schedule PokerNews.com
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 8:00 pm
Best Online Poker Sites for the UK Ranked for 2024 BSC NEWS
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 7:12 pm
After US Closures and Migrations, 888's Classic Software Will Finally be Retired Poker Industry PRO
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 6:31 pm
Everygame Poker Put Their Foot to the Floor with Fast Fortune Business Wire
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 6:20 pm
Casino news | NovoVision launches new poker tournament module InterGame
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 5:29 pm
How Will Daniel Negreanu's 2024 Poker Heater Impact His WSOP k Fantasy Draft Bid? PokerNews.com
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 9:30 am
Fourth Vietnam poker series cancelled amid concerns of regulatory crackdown Inside Asian Gaming
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 7:09 am
Exploring the Secret Poker Faces of Famous Rappers – RapReviews RapReviews
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 6:09 am
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 6:01 am
World Series of Poker Leaderboards Crowded with Big Names CardsChat.com
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 2:14 am
Best Online Poker Bonuses 2024 - Poker Bonus Codes Techopedia
Posted on 22 May 2024 | 1:26 am
Jessica Vierling Wins 2024 World Series of Poker Circuit Commerce Casino Main Event - Poker News CardPlayer.com
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 11:55 pm
Jessica Vierling Wins WSOP Circuit Commerce Main Event PokerNews.com
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 11:18 pm
Free Spins and Blackjack Bonanza at Everygame Poker World Casino Directory
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 8:44 pm
The digital takeover is happening. What does it mean... HighstakesDB
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 8:19 pm
Meet the Final Table of the WPT Montreal Championship World Poker Tour
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 3:43 pm
€888 Main Event | 2024 888poker LIVE Barcelona PokerNews.com
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 10:35 am
ClubWPT™ and ShopWPT™ Offer Limited-Time WPT® Father's Day Bundles World Poker Tour
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 5:00 am
Give Your Dad the Gift of the World Poker Tour this Father's Day – World Poker Tour World Poker Tour
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 4:43 am
Dan Stavila Chasing a WPT Montreal TV Double Feature World Poker Tour
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 3:03 am
Player Lives After Suffering Cardiac Arrest While Playing a Hand of Poker PokerNews.com
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 1:30 am
SCOOP Tips from Tonkaaaa: How to survive a series like SCOOP PokerStars
Posted on 21 May 2024 | 1:11 am
Adrian Mateos Wins Second Triton Poker Title in Montenegro PokerNews.com
Posted on 20 May 2024 | 10:30 pm
Best Crypto & Bitcoin Poker Sites May 2024 | Poker Bonuses Cryptonews
Posted on 20 May 2024 | 8:04 pm
Vietnamese Live Poker in Turmoil as Third Event in Six Months Cancelled Poker Industry PRO
Posted on 20 May 2024 | 6:40 pm
PokerStars The Big Game on Tour: Season 3 2024 Full Guide Pokerfuse
Posted on 20 May 2024 | 4:30 pm
Young Poker Star Wins First Triton Title & .5 Million With Parents on Rail PokerNews.com
Posted on 20 May 2024 | 11:30 am
18-Year-Old Steven Marin Savoring Breakout at WPT Prime Montreal World Poker Tour
Posted on 20 May 2024 | 7:43 am
Phil Hellmuth Plays Near Flawless Poker on Episode 2 of the PokerStars Big Game PokerNews.com
Posted on 20 May 2024 | 12:30 am
News: GTO Poker Theories - the Peak-End Rule pokerstrategy.com
Posted on 19 May 2024 | 2:31 pm
Posted on 19 May 2024 | 8:20 am
Meet the Final Table of WPT Prime Montreal World Poker Tour
Posted on 18 May 2024 | 11:17 am
Solana Meme Coin Slothana Set To Host Free Poker Event on CoinPoker ReadWrite
Posted on 16 May 2024 | 9:05 pm
Georges River Poker Machine Losses 2023 St George & Sutherland Shire Leader
Posted on 15 May 2024 | 10:44 am
World Poker Tour event in Hanoi cancelled, becomes third major Vietnam poker series scrapped since December Inside Asian Gaming
Posted on 14 May 2024 | 4:30 pm
Top 10 Richest Poker Players Ever - Net Worth Rankings 2024 Techopedia
Posted on 13 May 2024 | 4:30 pm
In China, poker is out, while 'throwing eggs' is in NBC News
Posted on 12 May 2024 | 4:30 pm
News: Are poker players discriminated against? pokerstrategy.com
Posted on 10 May 2024 | 6:19 pm
NSW residents lost record .1 billion to poker machines in 2023 9News
Posted on 8 May 2024 | 4:30 pm
News: GTO Poker Theories - False Consensus Effect pokerstrategy.com
Posted on 6 May 2024 | 5:15 pm
Top 10 poker players in the world: Best poker players of all time... talkSPORT
Posted on 30 April 2024 | 4:30 pm
Nam Le published The Boat to great acclaim in 2008. Now he's back with his debut poetry collection ABC News
Posted on 12 April 2024 | 4:30 pm
The crime commission demanded action. Gamblers called their bluff Sydney Morning Herald
Posted on 11 April 2024 | 4:30 pm
ACT government's approach to poker machine reform splits opinion The Canberra Times
Posted on 5 April 2024 | 5:30 pm
NEWS: Crackdown lined up on ‘billions’ being laundered through Australian poker machines AML Intelligence
Posted on 5 April 2024 | 5:30 pm
Calls grow for poker machine reforms after gambler takes own life The Canberra Times
Posted on 19 March 2024 | 5:04 am
The ACT's poker machine carnage must stop The Canberra Times
Posted on 18 March 2024 | 5:30 pm
Poker player rolls dice on Cosmo penthouse after .4m record at auction - realestate.com.au realestate.com.au
Posted on 15 March 2024 | 5:30 pm
Legislation Change To Enable Genuine Social Poker In Tasmania Mirage News
Posted on 14 March 2024 | 5:30 pm
Joint Statement on Poker Machines in Tasmania Tasmanian Times
Posted on 14 March 2024 | 5:30 pm
How To Keep A Poker Face At Work Forbes
Posted on 12 March 2024 | 5:30 pm
Psychology Helps Maria Konnikova Win At Poker And Life Forbes
Posted on 11 March 2024 | 5:30 pm
Man charged after weed set up, poker machines found at Albion Park home Illawarra Mercury
Posted on 4 March 2024 | 6:30 pm
'Not just harmless fun': MP explains why 'addictive' poker machines should be banned Sky News Australia
Posted on 3 March 2024 | 6:30 pm
Unions say Minns government must slash pokie numbers in clubs, pubs Sydney Morning Herald
Posted on 1 March 2024 | 6:30 pm
'I don't play poker at all' says solo developer who made the poker roguelike I can't stop playing PC Gamer
Posted on 27 February 2024 | 6:30 pm
Jen Shahade, World Poker And Chess Champion, Encourages Women To Be Aggressive And Take Risks Forbes
Posted on 26 February 2024 | 6:30 pm
New Roguelike Balatro Mixes Deckbuliding With Poker Kotaku Australia
Posted on 24 February 2024 | 6:30 pm
'Balatro': The Poker Deck Builder That's A Huge Hit On Steam Forbes
Posted on 22 February 2024 | 6:30 pm
Posted on 17 February 2024 | 6:30 pm
Labor’s Dean Winter, angry poker players protest game’s ban in pubs, clubs The Mercury
Posted on 11 February 2024 | 6:30 pm
NSW venues with over 20 poker machines need to have responsible gambling officers under new reforms 9News
Posted on 2 February 2024 | 6:30 pm
How much poker machine venues really give back to Queensland through grants and donations ABC News
Posted on 25 January 2024 | 6:30 pm
Poker Run riders revved up and ready to hit the road for a good cause The Daily Advertiser
Posted on 23 January 2024 | 6:30 pm
New Business Program Teaches Women Executives Poker To Advance Their Careers Forbes
Posted on 23 January 2024 | 6:30 pm
Buying a horse can be like poker – this woman reads the millionaires The Australian Financial Review
Posted on 11 January 2024 | 6:30 pm
Georges River LGA Ranks 7th in NSW for Poker Machine Losses St George & Sutherland Shire Leader
Posted on 5 January 2024 | 8:36 am
Poker Empowers Women And Girls By Building Confidence And Teaching Essential Leadership Skills Forbes
Posted on 20 December 2023 | 6:30 pm
Gamblers lost nearly 0 million on NT poker machines during the last financial year, data shows ABC News
Posted on 18 December 2023 | 6:30 pm
The 28 pubs and clubs turning their 4500 pokies cashless Sydney Morning Herald
Posted on 15 December 2023 | 6:30 pm
The 50 best TV shows of 2023: No 5 – Poker Face The Guardian
Posted on 14 December 2023 | 6:30 pm
'The industry is clearly behind us': Cashless gaming trial in NSW expanded to 4000 poker machines ABC News
Posted on 14 December 2023 | 6:30 pm
Australia: Tasmania classifies poker games as illegal gambling unless hosted by casinos G2G News
Posted on 29 November 2023 | 6:30 pm