A family of card games, poker is played by players attempting to create the best hand by comparing their cards and using the rules of the game to determine the winner. The oldest form of poker was played with a standard deck of twenty cards, though some countries use shorter packs. The number of players, deck configuration, number of cards dealt face-up, and shared cards vary between games, but all involve one or more rounds of betting. In some variants, the players are allowed to discard one, two, or three cards from their hands to improve their hands.
Each round of poker is divided into multiple rounds, with betting intervals between each round. During the first round, one player has the privilege and obligation to place a bet. After the ante, each player must place a chip into the pot equal to the contribution of the players before him. This player is called the active player. The remaining players in the game must either fold or raise their bets to increase their odds of winning. The game of poker is a combination of chance, psychology, and game theory.
In addition to the standard 52-card pack, two-pack games are played. The best players in clubs use these to speed up the game. The first player in the game deals a hand of cards and shuffles the other pack. The next player must match the bet in order to win the hand. The game is referred to as a poker tournament. When the winner is determined, a payout is awarded. The game can be played with as many as five players.