During a poker game, each player is dealt two cards. The first player to the left of the button is the first to act and he has to make the first bet.

The ante is the mandatory bet and it is usually a small amount. The ante is also the “buy in” to a round of poker. It is the smallest bet that can be made and it is usually between one dollar and five dollars.

The best hand is the one that contains two distinct pairs of cards plus the fifth card. It also has to be different suits. If two pairs of cards are tied, then the highest card wins.

A “gutshot” is a straight completed from the inside, whereas an open-ended straight is a straight completed from the outside. A “backdoor flush” is a flush completed from the outside, if the required cards are hit on the turn and river.

There are many different poker variations. Some games use multiple packs, and some games have jokers. These can be very exciting, but it’s important to know the rules before playing.

In most games, there are two betting intervals per deal. The first is the ante, and the second is called the “showdown”. After the last betting interval, the dealer resumes the action. The kitty is a special fund, and it is used to pay for the upcoming decks of cards. This is divided amongst the players still in the game.