During a game of poker, players evaluate their hands and then reveal their cards. The goal of the game is to have the best hand. The player who makes the highest-ranking poker hand wins the pot. If two or more players have the same hand, the highest unmatched card breaks the tie. The winnings are divided equally among the players.
The house dealer deals cards to each player. The cards are typically face down. Occasionally, the cards may be dealt face up. The dealer has the last right to shuffle the cards. In addition to the deck, a player can also discard up to three cards.
A player is said to be in a showdown if he has a good hand and no other player calls. A hand with four of a kind beats a straight flush. A pair of aces is the lowest pair.
The first player in a betting round must bet the minimum. After the first betting round, the flop is the first set of three cards placed face up. The remaining players receive a second set of three cards.
If a player’s hand contains an exposed pair, he is permitted to raise his bet. Usually, the second blind is equal to the double first blind. Alternatively, he can check or fold.
The dealer shuffles the cards and then deals them to the other players. The first player to make a bet is called the first bettor.