There are many variations of Poker. Different variations of the game use different number of decks and add extra cards called jokers. In general, poker players use 52 cards, ranked from Ace high to Ace low. All hands consist of five cards, and winning hands are known as “hands.” Some variations of Poker feature Wild Cards, which can take any suit, and others do not. Poker is a great game for casual poker players, as you can play for real money and meet people from all over the world.

The game is played with at least two players, though the ideal number is six or eight. The pot, or pot value, is the sum of all the bets made by all players in one deal. To win the pot, a player must have the highest poker hand, or make a bet that no other player calls. The player who makes the winning bet wins the pot. But how much of a pot should a player bet?

The best possible hand is called the “nuts.” If you hold a pocket pair of fives and sixs, you would need a seven on the turn and river to complete your straight. The opposite of a gutshot is an open-ended straight, which can be completed by any two cards from the outside. Gutshots have half the chance of hitting than open-ended straights. A gutshot hand is usually only considered a strong bet in single player tournaments.