Poker is a card game played with a group of players. Each player places an initial bet, called the ante, into a common pot before being dealt two cards face down. Then, each player may fold, call, or raise. Players act in turn, with the person to the left of the dealer acting first.
After all players have acted, the dealer deals three more cards (called the “flop”) face up on the table. The highest hand wins the pot. If more than one hand has the same rank, then the highest unmatched card breaks the tie.
After a betting interval, the dealer ‘burns’ one of the cards and then deals another card, called the “turn.” Again, the highest hand wins. If no one has a pair, a flush, or a straight, then the highest unmatched card breaks the tied hands. The winnings are shared by the players with that hand. This is the standard method for breaking ties. However, some games use a different method. In these games a player must match the stake made by the last player to stay in the hand. If he cannot match it, then he must raise the stake. This prevents players from staying in the hand too long, which can give them a bad advantage. This style of play is not recommended for people who are new to the game. It encourages a conservative approach to risk, which will limit your potential for growth and could even result in a loss.