Poker uses a standard pack of playing cards, fifty-two cards (there are some poker games that use more or less depending on the variations such as adding wild cards like jokers). The card ranking is as follows Ace (the highest), King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (the lowest), Ace (this may also be the last card depending on the variations you are using, but it is usually the highest).

There are four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs). No suit is greater than another. All poker hands include five cards. The highest hand wins.

The use of Wild Cards depends on the variations, wild cards take on whatever rank or suit you want it to take. A wild card can either be a separate card added like a joker or you may specify a certain card in the standard deck to be wild (such as deuces wild).

The number of cards dealt depends on what type of game you are playing: in five-card stud, you are dealt five cards; in seven-card stud, you are dealt seven. I know this is obvious, but I don't want anyone to get confused. Five-card draw is the standard poker game where five cards are dealt to each player face down.

Poker rules of Betting Procedures - In most poker games you begin the betting with an ante just to get the cards dealt. The money is put in the center of the table and is called the "pot".

When the wagering gets to you (betting is handled in a clockwise order), you have three choices: