The deal
Cards, the deck, and what you can see.
- 01, open this step in the interactive version
Poker uses one deck of 52 cards: 13 ranks in each of 4 suits.
- 02, open this step in the interactive version
How many hearts are in the deck?
show answer
answer13
whyOne heart of every rank, from the ace down to the two. Every suit is the same size.
- 03, open this step in the interactive version
Each player is dealt two cards, face down. Only you see yours.
- 04, open this step in the interactive versionYour cardsA♠ K♥BoardA♣ 7♠ 2♦ 9♥ K♣
Then five cards are dealt face up in the middle, in three rounds. Everyone shares them.
- 05, open this step in the interactive version
By the end, how many cards can you use to make your hand?
show answer
answer7
whyYour two, plus the five shared cards. You make the best five-card hand out of those seven.
- 06, open this step in the interactive versionBest fiveA♠ K♥ A♣ K♣ 9♥
You hold A♠ K♥. What is your best hand?
show answer
answerTwo pair
whyAces and kings, from A♠ A♣ K♥ K♣. The fifth card is the best one left: the nine.
- 07, open this step in the interactive version
That is the whole deal. Between each round of cards, players bet. Next: which hands beat which.