In the poker world, there are many poker game variations, but poker is basically a simple game. It's simplest to explain poker rules by focusing on the 5-Card Draw. This is a easy version for beginners to master.

To begin playing 5-Card Draw, take a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Aces are ALWAYS high, and Aces are worth more than Kings, which are worth more than Queens , which in turn are worth more than Jacks and so on. In addition, the cards are separated into four suits. The suits are:

• Diamonds:
• Clubs:
• Spades:
• Hearts :

They are ranked from high to low in descending order: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

Poker is a democratic game. The suits all have the same value; its importance is that no suit is more valuable than another. Each player is dealt five cards. The aim of the game is to be the player that ends up with the highest-valued hand. From best to worst hands, the poker hands are ranked in this order:

Royal Flush - It's the hardest hand to get, composed of 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all of the same suit.

Straight Flush - It is extremely rare to get five cards in consecutive numerical order, all of the same suit. It's acceptable to "wrap around," such as Q-K-A-2-3.

Four of a Kind - Collect four cards of the same numerical ranking. If there is a tie of two or more hands that qualify, the hand with the highest-ranking Four-of-a-Kind is the winning hand.

Full House - An example of this is the hand Q-Q-Q-7-7, is beaten by this hand Q-Q-Q-A-A. A Full House has three cards of the same numerical rank, followed by two cards of the same numerical rank.

Flush - In a tie, the player with the highest ranking card wins. A Flush includes five cards of the same suit, regardless of their numerical rank.

Straight - A Straight consists of five cards in numerical order, regardless of their suits. A Straight hand is not allowed to "wrap around."

Three of a Kind - This is three cards of equivalent numerical ranking.

Two Pair - This is two sets of paired cards

One Pair - This is one pair of cards

High Card - In case none of the players has any cards of value, then the player with the highest value single cards wins poker.

Basic Rules

•  To commence, each player places an ante, a "token bet", into the pot before the cards are dealt. Players can place anything from a few coins to lots of banknotes.

•  The poker dealer deals out the cards to the players, handing one card to every player and repeating this until every poker player holds 5 cards.

•  AT this point, the poker players look at their cards and begin to place bets. New players to the game are advised to allow somebody else start the betting.

•  For the first round of betting there are a few different alternatives to choose from:

Check : This means that you don't want to be the poker player to open the betting, but want to see what happens.

Open : If betting has not yet begun when your turn comes, you may "open" the pot with a first bet.

See : This poker rule states you match another player's bet in so you can stay in the game.

Raise : This goes further than See, by escalating your bet amount.

Fold : When you decide it is better to quit because you are going to lose, you give up and place your cards face down on the table (if your hand is weak). You lose whatever you've bet up to now.

If you decide to stay in the game, you can swap up to 3 of your cards. The new and exchanged cards are passed face down.

•  After every player draws from zero to three additional cards, the betting begins again. Various players will shout out See, Raise or Fold. When there are no more bids, the poker game finishes.

•  Now the time has come for everyone to turn their cards over. The player with the highest hand wins the poker pot.

Once you fold you are out of the game. So remember, you can only stay in the poker game if you don't fold. If you get a good hand, hide your emotions behind an expressionless face. The trick in poker is to make the other players bet a lot, and then you can win even more money. The term 'poker face', it's all about being a good liar and a good actor.

Make sure to check out the Internet's best poker rooms and online tournaments and events.