There are several variations of Poker. Three-Card Monte and Spit-in-the-Ocean are fewer-than-five-card games. All variations will be discussed later in this chapter. For a game with more than ten players, two separate games may be organized. A written code of rules should govern all games. Some Poker variations are not widely accepted and local customs vary from those listed here. This section aims to offer a guide to Poker laws.
The game of poker involves betting and dividing money. Each player must place an ante and a blind bet before the game begins. After each hand, the button moves one spot clockwise and marks where action should start. After the initial deal, the action starts with the player to the left of the dealer. The first player to the left of the dealer must post a small blind or a big blind. These are forced bets that give the players something to chase.
The winner of a round of Poker depends on the highest-ranking hand. Unless there is a tie, all players who have not folded have the same chance of winning the pot. The round of betting continues clockwise around the table until one player has all of the money they had put in as a buy-in. The final betting phase is when the player who has the best hand wins the round. It is also possible to split the pot with a tied player.