Typically, poker is played with a deck of 52 cards, which are ranked from Ace to 10 and are usually of a standard deck. Games vary in how many cards are dealt, how many decks are used, and how often the cards are shuffled. The number of players is usually between five and six.
Players choose five cards from which to form a hand. The highest hand wins. If there are ties, the high card breaks the tie. If there are no ties, the second highest card is the winner. Normally, the best hand is a flush, which contains all the cards in one suit.
A straight is made up of five cards of the same suit. This can be a high straight or a low straight. In a straight, the ace is considered high. The ace can be linked with king, deuce, or queen. A “backdoor flush” is achieved when the player hits certain cards on the turn and river.
A hand is considered strong if it contains three of a kind or four of a kind. Two of a kind is also a strong hand. If two people are tied for the highest card, a high card outside of the pair breaks the tie.
The winner will collect the pot. If there is a draw, the pot is divided equally between the players. If there are no ties, the pot is awarded to the player with the best hand.
