Poker is a card game where players bet into a common pool (called the pot) during each round. The player with the highest five-card hand wins the pot, minus any bets made by other players in that same round. Poker can be played by two to 14 people, but the ideal number is six or seven players. It is also a great way to develop a range of skills, from probability calculations and strategy, to focus and discipline.
Poker’s possible ancient roots include 10th-century Chinese domino games and a 16th-century Persian game known as As Nas. However, it was probably born in the early 19th century in the United States. New Orleans is a strong contender for the game’s birthplace, and it quickly spread up the Mississippi river with the help of riverboat crews and U.S. soldiers during the Civil War.
Early American developments included draw and stud poker, as well as the standard 52-card English deck of cards. The game was later popularized in the Wild West and beyond, becoming a staple of saloons and other places where men congregated.
During a hand, each player must first ante something (the amount varies by game; our games are typically nickels). Then they’re dealt cards and can either Call, Raise or Fold. If they’re willing to raise, they must match the last active player’s total stake and may also raise it further if they choose. Alternatively, they can Check (pass on their turn to act) or Fold to forfeit the round.