A popular card game, poker belongs to the class of games called vying games. Basically, in this game, players with concealed cards make wagers into a central pot, which is granted to the remaining player or players with the best combination of cards. Poker is played in hundreds of variations.

A poker player, as in any card game, needs to be aware of the basic rules and procedures of the game. Knowledge about the values of the various combinations of cards and the rules about betting limits are essential for a poker player. The players may be required to put an initial amount of money, known as forced bets, into the pot before the distribution of the cards. The dealer shuffles the deck of cards, which are then dealt face-down to the players. These cards undergo changes, additions or replacements, with the progress of the game.

The total amount of money bet in a round by the player who bet last is known as the current bet amount. Normally, the players keep the money on the table, rather than putting it into the pot, in order to keep better track of the amount. A betting round may be followed by other rounds and further rounds of betting.

The name poker, in all probability, descended from the French word “poque” or the German word “pochen.” The game has a close resemblance to the Persian game of “as nas.” Persian sailors might have taught the game to the French settlers in New Orleans. Poker shares ancestry with the primero, a Renaissance game, and the French brelan.

Introduction of online poker games increased the popularity of the game to unprecedented levels. Moreover, with the invention of the hole-card camera, viewers can now follow and experience the game at its best.