Poker

Poker is a group of card games where players compare hands and bet on who holds the best one, as defined by the rules of the specific game being played. The game exists worldwide, with local variations in its rules. The earliest known version used only 20 cards, but modern play typically employs a standard 52-card deck, though some regions use shorter packs of 32, 40, or 48 cards. Consequently, poker games differ in deck composition, the number of cards dealt, how many are shown face up or face down, and how many are shared among players. However, all versions include one or more betting rounds.

In most contemporary poker games, the first betting round starts with one or more players placing a forced bet, such as a blind or an ante. Players then bet based on how strong they believe their hand is compared to others. Action moves clockwise, and each player must either match the highest previous bet (call), or fold, forfeiting their current stake and any further participation. A player who calls may also raise, increasing the bet. The round ends when everyone has either called the last bet or folded. If only one player remains after any round, they win the pot without needing to show their hand. If multiple players are still in after the final round, a showdown occurs where hands are revealed, and the best hand takes the pot.

Except for the initial forced bets, money enters the pot only voluntarily, when a player believes the bet has a positive expected value or is attempting to bluff for strategic reasons. So, while any single hand involves significant chance, long-term results depend on players' choices based on probability, psychology, and game theory.

Poker's popularity has surged since the early 21st century, evolving from a recreational activity for small groups into a widespread pastime for players and spectators alike, including online play, with numerous professionals and multimillion-dollar tournament prizes.

**History**

The origins of poker are debated. Many game scholars point to the French game Poque and the Iranian game As-Nas as possible early influences. In 1937, R. F. Foster wrote that the game first played in the United States—five cards per player from a 20-card pack—was undoubtedly the Persian game As-Nas. However, in the 1990s, gaming historian David Parlett and others challenged this direct link. What is certain is that poker became popular in the American South in the early 19th century, spread by gambling riverboats on the Mississippi River and around New Orleans during the 1830s. An early description from 1829, recorded by English actor Joe Cowell, describes poker played on a steamboat with a 20-card deck ranking from Ace (high) to Ten (low).

Seven-card stud appeared in the mid-19th century, largely spread by the U.S. military. It became a casino staple after World War II and grew in popularity with the World Series of Poker in the 1970s. Texas hold 'em and other community card games came to dominate gambling scenes in the following decades. Televised poker strongly boosted the game's popularity around the turn of the millennium, leading to a poker boom between 2003 and 2006. Today, poker is an extremely popular pastime worldwide.

**Gameplay**

In casual play, the right to deal rotates among players, marked by a token called the dealer button. In casinos, a house dealer handles the cards, but the button rotates clockwise to indicate a nominal dealer for betting order. Cards are dealt clockwise, one at a time. One or more players usually make forced bets (ante or blind). The dealer shuffles, the player to their right cuts, and cards are dealt starting with the player to the left. Cards may be face-up or face-down, depending on the variant. After the initial deal, the first betting round begins. Between rounds, players' hands develop—often by receiving additional cards or replacing some. All bets are gathered into a central pot.

If, during any betting round, one player bets and all opponents fold instead of calling, the hand ends immediately. The bettor wins the pot without showing cards. This is what makes bluffing possible, a primary feature that distinguishes poker from other vying games and from games using poker hand rankings. At the end of the final betting round, if more than one player remains, a showdown occurs where hidden cards are revealed and hands evaluated. The best hand, according to the variant being played, wins the pot. A poker hand consists of five cards; if a player has more than five, only the best five-card combination counts. There are ten different kinds of poker hands, such as the straight flush.