Draw poker is considered the best start to learning basic poker and how to play the game. This is because it is the simplest and easiest version of poker around. However, draw poker is rarely offered by casinos. Nevertheless, all other versions of poker have their roots in this. Once having learned draw poker, you will find learning the other versions of poker that much easier.

Everyone begins by paying their ante. This is a predetermined amount that every player has to make in order to be dealt the cards. This amount is placed in the center of the table and is known as the pot. The pot with all its additions from throughout the game will go to the winner at the end. If a player doesn’t want to ante up, it is a sign that he doesn’t want to play that round.

Players are dealt five cards face down. The first player to be dealt is the one most immediate to the left of the dealer. Players are permitted to pick up the cards once all the cards have been dealt out to all the players.

The poker hand is known as a royal flush. This incorporates an ace, king, Queen, Jack and Ten of all the same suit. Following the royal flush, the next strongest hand is the straight flush. This includes five consecutive cards also all from the same suit. After this, the next most viable hand is the four of a kind. This includes four cards of the same value, such as four nines. The full house follows four of a kind in strength. The full house includes a three of a kind and a pair. After this comes the flush. The flush consists of five cards from the same suit, they are in no particular order. The straight follows the flush. The straight includes five cards in consecutive order but from no particular suit. The three of a kind is the next strongest, then two pairs and then the pair by itself. In draw poker there are no wild cards, and each suit is of equal value.

Once the player has made his assessment of his hand, the player that was first dealt the cards opens the round by either betting, passing or folding. Thus, if the player believes his hand to be so poor, he may just choose to leave the game immediately. However, to continue he can pass or bet. If he passes the next player also has the choice of passing, betting or folding. This can continue until the first player has made a bet. once this occurs players only have the option of betting to remain playing.

If the player is feeling more confident, he can even raise the bet. this forces the other players to meet this new amount.

The game continues as such until the round reaches the dealer. At this point players are allowed to discards as many cards as they wish, for new cards. Players then show their hands to reveal who has the winner.

The player with the highest ranked hand will be declared the winner and collects the pot money.