Poker Game Rules

Poker is the name given to a number of card games where players wager on the strength of the cards they hold. Poker involves a communal pot consisting of the players' wagers, awarded to the player with the highest-ranking hand or who makes an unmatched wager against opponents.

All poker games begin with forced wagers that players compete over. In Seven Card Stud, these are an ante and a bring-in. In Texas Hold'em and Omaha, they are the small blind and big blind. In any poker game, players strategically wager using available actions:

Betting Actions

1. CHECK - If no wager on the current betting round, a player may check, passing action to the next player clockwise. Checking does not forfeit interest in the pot, only the current right to bet. If all check in a round, it ends.
2. BET - If no wager on the current round, a player may bet. Subsequent players may then fold, raise, or call.
3. FOLD - Forfeit all interest in the pot. No further wagers allowed for the hand.
4. CALL - Match the current bet made by opponents.
5. RAISE - Match the current bet and increase it. Others must call the raise or re-raise to stay in.

Betting on each round continues until the player counterclockwise from the last bettor or raiser acts. Then the next betting round begins, or the hand concludes.