Unlike most games of chance, poker is a game of skill. In most variants, a player has to place a certain amount of money (known as an ante) into the pot before he or she can begin to play.
The ante varies according to the rules of the game. Some variants include a wild card. A wild card is a card that can be used to make a better hand. For instance, a wild card may enable a player to make a five of a kind, which is the highest possible hand. Some games also include jokers.
A player’s hand is usually made up of five cards, two of which are from a single suit. Each card is ranked from Ace to Jack. A pair of aces is considered the lowest pair. A pair of kings, however, is not too bad.
The showdown occurs when all players with hole cards have the opportunity to show their hands. A pair of aces beats a straight flush, while a pair of kings wins a pair of jacks. A straight hand of five cards is often used as the final showdown.
The high card breaks ties. This is especially true when there are multiple people who have the same card. A hand that contains two cards of the same rank is also considered a tie.
The highest hand is considered the best. A pair of kings is not bad, but a pair of aces beats it.