Despite its many variations, Poker is essentially a simple game. Its rules can be well explained by concentrating 5-Card Draw - a simple version of the game.

All 52 playing cards in the deck are used. Aces are ranked the highest, above Kings, which are higher than Queens etc. Poker is played according to the four card suits of Clubs, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds. All suits have equal value.

Each player is dealt five cards and the objective is to achieve the highest-ranking hand. Cards are ranked in the following arrangements:

Ranking order

Royal Flush - This is the toughest hand to get: from Ace through to 10, all in the same suit.

Straight Flush - This is also a numerical sequence in the same suit, although lower down in the deck than Royal Flush. You cannot �wrap around' the number sequence ie Q-K-A-2-3. It is hard to get this hand too.

Four of a Kind - With the same card from each of the suits, obviously the highest ranking set of four wins: this means 4 aces.

Full House - A set of three cards of the same value, couples with two cards of the same value. Again, high ranking counts, so K-K-K-Q-Q beats Q-Q-Q-J-J.

Flush - This presents five cards in the same, disregarding their numerical value. In a tie, the player with the highest-scoring card wins.

Straight - These are five cards in sequential order, no matter what suit. No 'wrap around' is possible.

Three of a Kind - These are three cards, all of the same numerical value - J-J-J.

Two Pair - Two sets of card pairs, with the winner having the higher-valued pairs

One Pair - Two cards of the same numerical value

High Card - In the rare case where no player has any of the above card arrangements, the holder of the single highest value card wins.

Basic Rules

1)  The first step is to for each player to contribute equal money into a central pot. This is called the ante or "token bet". The bet can be coins, banknotes, or even symbolic money like matchsticks.

2)  Each of the players gets 5 cards, only they are one card every round by the player who acts as the dealer.

3)  The players inspect their cards and, based on ranking order of the cards, start placing their bets. Novices should let other players start the betting.

4)  The betting follows this sequence:

Open: One player will "open" the pot with a first bet.

Check : You can say 'check' if you don't wish to be the one to 'open' but wants to see what develops.

See : To stay in the game, you will need to match the other player's bet.

Raise : This goes beyond See, by increasing the amount betted.

Fold : If you have a weak hand, you will Fold and place your cards on the table, face down. You forfeit your initial stake.

If you stay in the game, you can replace up to three of your cards. You pass and receive the cards, face down.

5)  When everyone has exchanged 0-3 cards, the betting continues. There will be various bids, such as See, Raise or Fold. Once these bids stop, the game reaches its final phase.

6)  All players expose their cards and the one with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot.