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Poker is one of the most exciting games available to play. The opportunity to play all the variations of poker comes with knowing the simple rules of the basic game. Each different version has very slight rule changes making playing the game straightforward.

Very simple layout of the game can make it easy to play. Not depending upon the number of cards dealt or the version played, these steps are applicable to all versions. If a player knows the basics of the game of poker, he or she can become good enough to learn to bluff like a professional.

Depending upon table size, there can be any number of players. There must be a dealer to call who won each hand and to pass out the cards. In non-professional or casino poker the role of the dealer passes from player to player in a clockwise fashion.

The player to the right of the dealer cuts the cards after the dealer has shuffled them. The ante is then placed into the middle by all the players. At this time, either the players can bet, what is called a blind bet, or they can wait for the dealer to begin the game.

Then, depending upon the version played, the dealer deals out the appropriate number of face down cards. Another bet is made or the players check. Checking means that the players do not feel the need to bet on the cards that they have.

Either the players bet or check after each face up card is dealt. The players bluff about what they have in their hand during this time. A player making the other players believe that they have the better hand by betting a certain amount is bluffing.

Bluffing is what differentiates this game from any other card game. There are other games that involve bluffing but they involve dice. The name of poker derived from the French word Poque, which means to bluff.

Through the game, if one player bets and all the others fold, then the betting player wins the hand. A player calls when they see a bet or raise it. A player folds if they have bet but do not want to continue in the game.

After the last card has been laid out, if there are players who wish to see or raise the bet, then, there is a showdown. all the remaining players flip over their hidden cards to see who won the hand when a showdown happens. The game starts over again when the highest hand wins the pot.

Players bet by using chips that represent the money with which they are playing. Once a player has bet all their chips, they have gone “all in.” If they player who has gone all in loses their hand, they are then eliminated from the game.

If you know the basic rules of game play, poker is not a hard game to play. Knowing when to bluff and when to fold your hand is the hardest part of the game. Unless you have developed your talent of bluffing, it is not recommended to use poker as a means of income.