Poker

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US Navy 090620-N-2798F-033 Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 compete in a Texas Hold 'Em Poker tournament aboard Harry S. Truman

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2006 WSOP Main Event Table

James Garner Bret Maverick Jack Kelly Bart Maverick

Poker is a family of card games that combines gambling, strategy, and skill. All poker variants involve betting as an intrinsic part of play, and determine the winner of each hand according to the combinations of players' cards, at least some of which remain hidden until the end of the hand. Poker games vary in the number of cards dealt, the number of shared or "community" cards, the number of cards that remain hidden, and the betting procedures.

History

The origins of poker are a subject of debate. It is thought to have roots in a Persian game called As-Nas, and it was likely taught to French settlers in New Orleans by Persian sailors. It is commonly regarded that poker as we know it today developed in the United States in the early 19th century, before spreading across the American frontier.

Gameplay

In most modern poker games, the first round of betting begins with one or more of the players making some form of a forced bet (the blind or ante). In standard poker, each player bets according to the rank they believe their hand is worth as compared to the other players. The action then proceeds clockwise as each player in turn must either match (or "call") the maximum previous bet, or fold, losing the amount bet so far and all further involvement in the hand. A player who matches a bet may also "raise" (increase) the bet. The betting round ends when all players have either called the last bet or folded. If all but one player folds on any round, the remaining player collects the pot without being required to reveal their hand. If more than one player remains in contention after the final betting round, a showdown takes place where the hands are revealed, and the player with the winning hand takes the pot.

Variants

Poker has many variations, classified into three main families: draw poker, stud poker, and community card poker. In draw poker, players are dealt a complete hand, hidden, and then improve it by replacing cards. The most common variant is Five-card draw. Stud poker variants involve a combination of face-up and face-down cards dealt in multiple betting rounds. Seven-card stud is one of the most popular stud variants. Community card poker, also known as "flop poker", involves players being dealt an incomplete hand of face-down cards, and then a number of face-up community cards are dealt to the center of the table, each of which can be used by one or more of the players to make a 5-card hand. Texas hold 'em and Omaha hold 'em are the most popular community card poker variants.

Strategy

Poker strategy involves a complex set of guidelines that take into account a wide array of variables including the mathematical aspects of the game, psychology, and theory. Players must assess the strength of their hand, the odds of improving it, the strength of their opponents' hands, and the size of the pot. Bluffing is a key feature of poker, distinguishing it from other vying games and from other games that make use of poker hand rankings.

Popularity

Poker's popularity has grown significantly in the early 21st century, largely due to the introduction of online poker and hole-card cameras, which turned the game into a spectator sport. Not only could viewers now follow the action and drama of the game on television, but they could also play the game in the comfort of their own home. The World Series of Poker, first held in 1970, has become one of the most famous gaming events in the world, awarding millions of dollars in prize money each year.

See also

• List of poker hands
• Poker tournament
• Online poker