In the world of poker, there are so many variations of Poker, but it is basically a simple game. It's easiest to explain poker rules by concentrating on 5-Card Draw. This is a simple version for beginners to learn.

To play 5-Card Draw, you start with a standard deck of 52 playing cards. They are ranked from high to low in the following descending order: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. Aces are ALWAYS high, and Aces are worth more than Kings, which are worth more than Queens, which in turn are worth more than Jacks and so on. In addition, the cards are separated into four suits. The suits are:

• Hearts:
• Diamonds:
• Clubs:
• Spades:

The suits are all of identical value, its significance being that no suit is more valuable than another. Poker is a very democratic game. Each player is dealt five cards. The object of the game is to be the player to end up with the highest-valued hand. From best to worst hands, the poker hands are ranked in the following order:

Royal Flush - composed of 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all of the same suit. It's the hardest hand to get.

Straight Flush - five cards in consecutive numerical order, all of the same suit. It's not unacceptable to "wrap around," such as Q-K-A-2-3. This is also extremely rare.

Four of a Kind - four cards of the same numerical ranking. If there are two or more hands that qualify, the hand with the highest-ranking Four-of-a-Kind is the winning hand.

Full House - three cards of the same numerical rank, followed by two cards of the same numerical rank. As an example, the hand Q-Q-Q-7-7, is beaten by this hand Q-Q-Q-A-A.

Flush - includes five cards of the same suit, regardless of their numerical rank. In a tie, the player with the highest ranking card wins.

Straight - comprises five cards in numerical order, regardless of their suits. A Straight hand cannot "wrap around."

Three of a Kind - three cards of the equivalent numerical ranking.

Two Pair - two sets of matching paired cards

One Pair - a single pair of cards

High Card - In the case of none of the players have anything of value, the player with the highest value single cards wins poker.

Basic Rules

•  To begin, every player places an ante or "token bet" into the pot before the cards are dealt. They can place anything from a few coins to lots of banknotes.

•  The poker dealer then distributes the cards to the players, handing one card to every player and repeating this until every player holds 5 cards.

•  Then the poker players look at their cards and begin to place bets. Inexperienced players to the game are advised to allow somebody else start the betting.

•  For the initial round of betting there are a few alternatives:

Open : If betting has not yet started when your turn comes, you may "open" the pot with a first bet.

Check : This means that you don't want to be the poker player to open the betting, but want to see what happens.

See : This rule states you match another player's bet in so you can stay in the game.

Raise : This goes further than See, by escalating your bet amount.

Fold : You've had enough poker and fell you are going to lose, so you give up and place your cards face down on the table (if your hand is weak). You lose whatever you've bet up to now.

If you stay in the game, you can swap up to 3 of your cards. Both the new and exchanged cards are passed face down.

•  After every player draws between zero to three new cards, the betting begins once more. Different people will say See, Raise or Fold. When there are no more bids, the poker game ends.

•  Now is the time for everyone to turn their cards over. The player with the highest hand wins the poker pot.

Once you fold you are out of the game. So remember, you can only stay in the game if you don't fold. If you get a good hand, it is essential to hide your position and thoughts about it. The trick in poker is to make everyone else bet a lot, and then you can win even more money. You've heard of the term 'poker face', it's all about being a good liar and a good actor.

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