Goal
Win chips by making the best five-card poker hand — or by betting so no one dares call. Last player with chips wins the game.
The Flow of a Hand
- Ante: everyone posts the ante into the pot.
- Deal: five cards to each player, face down.
- First betting round.
- The Draw: each still-in player discards 0–5 cards and draws replacements.
- Second betting round.
- Showdown: remaining players reveal; best hand wins the pot.
Betting Actions
- Check — bet nothing (only if no one has bet yet).
- Bet / Raise — put chips in, forcing others to match.
- Call — match the current bet.
- Fold — throw your hand away and forfeit the pot.
- All-In — bet everything. If you can't cover a bet you play for your share (side pots).
Hand Rankings (high to low)
| Royal Flush | A K Q J 10, one suit |
| Straight Flush | Five in sequence, one suit |
| Four of a Kind | Four cards, same rank |
| Full House | Three of a kind + a pair |
| Flush | Five of one suit |
| Straight | Five in sequence (A can be high or low) |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards, same rank |
| Two Pair | Two pairs |
| One Pair | One pair |
| High Card | None of the above |
Quick Strategy
- With a pair, keep it and draw three. With two pair, draw one. With trips, draw two.
- Four to a flush or an open straight? Draw one and chase it.
- Standing pat (drawing zero) tells the table you're strong — sometimes it's a bluff.
- Position matters: acting last lets you see what everyone else does first.