How to Play Poker
Poker Jargon
Dealing and Betting
Ranking of Hands
Rules of Draw Poker
Draw Poker Games
Rules of Stud Poker
Stud Poker Games
Community Poker
Community Poker Games
The Bluff
Sandbagging
Psychology of Poker

How to Play Poker

There are few card games being played today as popular as poker. It has come to represent a certain type of person, and even a lifestyle. We have images of the old west, riverboats, and dogs sitting around a table; imprinted in our minds. Poker is elegant in it’s simplicity; the rules can be learned fairly quickly, but mastery of play may take many years. Here at How to Play Poker.com, we will give you a rundown, on all the most popular variations of poker, including: Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud, and Texas Hold `Em.

History of Poker

Poker had it’s start in the city of New Orleans, in the early 1800’s. At it’s inception, poker was played with a measly deck of 20 cards. Players made bets on who had the most worthwhile hand. With the aid of the Mississippi riverboat, poker soon spread throughout the Midwest. Soon after pokers propagation, the 52 card English deck became the standard, with which it was played.

During the American Civil War, poker began to receive a number of revisions; notably draw poker, stud poker, and the straight. Poker continued to develop up through the late 1800’s, with the additions of the wild card, lowball, and split-pot poker. In the early 1900’s came the introduction of community poker games.

Much of Poker’s colloquially used jargon has been integrated into American culture. Such phrases include: blue chip, ace in the hole, call a bluff, pass the buck, and cash in. Poker has indeed had a significant impact on our popular culture.