Let's explain the rules by using one of the simplest forms of Poker, the 5-Card Draw. Even though you'll come across many different types of Poker, the playing fundamentals are shared by them all.

In contrast to numerous other card games, you will be using all the 52 cards in the pack. Aces always score the highest and then you have the face cards of King, Queen and Jack. Suits are all relevant but there is no suit that dominates. You are given a hand of five cards but get them one-card-a-round from the dealer. The value of your hand is determined as follows:

Ranking order

Royal Flush - You will find this hard very hard to get because it comprises the sequence from Ace - 10, all from the same suit.

Straight Flush - This is almost as difficult as Royal Flush, getting another sequence in the same suit. You cannot wrap numbers around a sequence, such as A-K-Q and then 2-3.

Four of a Kind - You need to collect four same value cards, one from each suit. Four Aces are the best.

Full House - Two of the same followed by three of the same (or vice-versa) gives you a Full House. Because of the flexibility, many players can achieve this combination.

Flush - This is when you hold five cards from the same suit. They do not need to follow a numerical sequence.

Straight - In contrast to Flush, here it is the numerical sequence that is important, not the card suit.

Three of a Kind - You will be holding three of the same value cards. Your target is three Aces.

Two Pair - All you need is to have two pairs of cards, each with the same value - such as J-J and 10-10.

One Pair - One pair of cards having the same value.

High Card - In the case (rare) where no player has a better hand, the holder of the highest value card wins.

Basic Rules

1)  You join a poker game when you contribute money into a central 'bank' or 'pot'. Only after that does the card distribution start. You get 5 cards from the deal, one per dealing round.

2)  You arrange your cards (facing you) in rank order and select the cards that you plan to exchange (up to 3). The first hand will give you a good idea of your chances in the game.

3)  You will bet in one of these ways:

Open: The player who begins the betting process says 'Open'.

Check : If you don't want to bet on your round and pass the turn to somebody else, say 'Check'.

See : You place in the pot the same amount as other players do i.e 'See' to stay in the game.

Raise : You increase your bet in the game 'Raise' in order to gain an advantage over other players - who will need to match your bet.

Fold : If your hand is weak and you have few cards of high ranking order, you may choose to 'Fold'. In this case, your initial bet made at 'Open' time is lost.

4)  Each player gets a second round: a time to change up to three cards, passed and received by the Dealer face down.