During a poker game, players bet into the pot. Betting is done clockwise in most games. The highest hand or combination of hands that does not call is the winning hand. Betting occurs until more than one player remains in the pot. Once more than one player remains in the pot, a showdown occurs. During the showdown, the player with the highest hand or combination of hands collects the pot.
The player who makes the first bet is called the first bettor. The first bettor must have a hand that meets the minimum hand requirements for the game. If the player’s hand does not meet the minimum, he or she is said to “check”. When a check is made, the player is not obligated to make a second bet and may fold.
If a player chooses not to fold, he or she is said to “drop”. Dropping out of a side pot loses the right to the original pot. When a drop is made, a player loses the right to the pot and the other players in the pot gain. When a player chooses to stay in, he or she must match the current open bet or raise.
When more than one player remains in the pot, the dealer shuffles the cards. The player receiving the jack is the first dealer. The dealer must then offer the shuffled pack to the opponent for cut. Depending on the variant, the cards may be dealt face down or face up.
A player is said to have a “good hand” if it beats a straight flush, a pair of aces or a pair of kings. A pair of aces is the lowest pair. A pair of kings is not a good hand, but a pair of kings is not a bad hand off the deal. In some games, the ace is treated as the lowest card, and in other games, it may be treated as the lowest card.
If the dealer shuffles the cards, the player who has the lowest hand can be called. Depending on the game, the dealer can make a check, a fold, or a raise. Depending on the game, the player who makes the check or fold may have to place a bet into the pot. In some games, a player may choose to discard up to three cards before the player with the lowest hand can be called.
Ties break when one or more players have the highest card in the hand. Ties break when two or more players have a four of a kind. Two four of a kind with the same rank break ties, as does a high card outside a four of a kind. Ties break when two or more players are holding identical high hands. Ties break when two or more people have identical high hands of the same type. During a poker game, the player who has the highest hand or combination of hands wins the pot.