The game of poker is based on a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The deck is divided into two suits, Hearts and Diamonds, and Clubs and Spades. Each suit has 13 ranks. The deck consists of an Ace, nine cards numbered two through ten, and three face cards (J, Q, K). The rank of each card is determined by the suit and number. Poker hands are ranked by their likelihood of winning.

Players place forced bets before each hand. These can include ante or blind bets. The dealer then shuffles and cuts the cards. Each player is dealt one card at a time, depending on the type of poker. These cards may be dealt face up or face down. The betting rounds follow this initial deal, and in between, the players develop their hands through replacements and additional deals. The winner of a hand is the player with the most cards at the end of the round.

In a five-card draw game, the dealer deals a full hand to each player. Each player then places his or her ante in the pot. The player then reveals his or her cards to the rest of the players. The player with the best hand wins the pot. In a seven-card stud game, the player with the highest hand wins the pot. The game of Poker involves probability, psychology, and game theory. All of these factors play into long-term expectations.