There are several varieties of Poker, distinguished by the names of
"Straight," "Draw," "Stud," and "Whiskey" Poker respectively. These, again,
are played in different ways, varying with the locality, scarcely any two
States of America, the home of the game, being fully agreed as to its
correct form. So fully is this divergence recognised, that even in America
a company, sitting down to play Poker together for the first time, usually
begin by discussing how the game shall be played in respect of the various
points of difference. We shall endeavour to give a clear idea of what (if
any) may be called the standard games, with a few of the more important
variations.
The most popular variety is Draw Poker, though the full name is rarely
used, the single word "Poker" being usually understood to indicate the
"Draw" game.
Draw Poker is played with the full pack of fifty-two cards. There is no set
limit to the number of players, but five make the best game and six should
be the maximum. As each player holds five cards at the outset, and has the
right, if he so pleases, to {121} "draw" five more, it is obvious that if
even six players exercised their right to the full extent, the pack would
not suffice to supply their demands. As they never do fully exercise it,
with six players there is a sufficient margin; but with seven the margin is
inconveniently small.
The stakes are represented by counters, known in America as "chips." We
will suppose that these are equivalent to pence. A certain amount, say
twelve counters, is fixed upon as the limit of the stake. As will be seen
hereafter, such limit is rather imaginary than real, applying merely to the
successive stages by which the ultimate total is reached, the latter being
(unless, by agreement, a limit is placed on this also) an unknown quantity.
The dealer having been selected, and the pack shuffled and cut, he proceeds
to deal round, one at a time, five cards to each player. First, however,
the elder hand, at this game known as the "Age," before seeing his cards,
starts the pool with a preliminary stake known as the "ante."[35] This must
not exceed _one-half_ the limit. Thus, in the case supposed of the limit
being twelve counters, the Age has the option of putting up any number from
one to six, as he pleases. This stake, from the fact that it is made
without seeing the cards, is known as a "blind."
[Illustration]
We will suppose that five players are taking part, whom we may distinguish
as A, B, C, D and E; that they are seated in the order indicated in the
diagram, and that A is the dealer. The deal passes from A to B, and so on.
B is in such case the Age, {122} and has put up, by way of ante a single
counter.[36] Each player looks at his cards, whose value depends upon his
possession of certain combinations, ranking in proportion to the rarity of
their occurrence. C is the first to declare. If his cards are so bad that
he has no hope of winning, he may "pass," _i.e._ go out of the game
altogether for that hand. In such case, he throws his cards, face
downwards, in front of the Age, who will in due course be the next dealer.
If, on the other hand, C thinks his cards worth playing on, he "goes in,"
_i.e._ he puts in the pool _double_ the amount staked by the Age. D, E and
A in rotation do the same, either "passing" and throwing up their cards, or
"going in" and placing in the pool a like amount to that just contributed
by C. When the turn of B (the Age) is reached, he has to make a similar
decision, and, if he decide to go in, must put in the pool a like amount to
that {123} which he first staked, thereby placing himself on an equal
footing with the other players.[37]
There is, however, another possible contingency. B has put up, by way of
ante, the minimum, one counter only. If either of the players holds a hand
which seems a probable winner, he may desire to put a heavier stake on it.
In such case, he must first make good the ante (_i.e._ hand in two
counters), and may then "go better," or offer a higher stake to the extent
of the limit. C, we will suppose, has simply made good the ante. D not only
does the same, but goes four better. He thus contributes in all, six
counters to the pool, and any subsequent player who desires to "go in,"
must also hand in six counters. Having done so, such subsequent player has
the option of again going better on his own account. We will suppose that E
makes good D's "raise," and goes three better, making in all nine counters.
A, we will assume, has but a poor hand, and sees small chance of winning.
Such being the case, he passes out, and throws up his cards, still,
however, retaining his functions as dealer. It is now the turn of B, the
Age, who has to consider whether, under these conditions, it is worth his
while to go in. Should he elect to do so, he must hand in eight counters,
_i.e._ nine, less the single counter which he staked by way of ante. If C
still elects to go in, he must pay seven counters, in addition to the two
he has already paid. D, in like manner, three counters.
Having reached this stage, the standing players {124} proceed to draw to
"fill their hands," _i.e._ discard their least valuable cards (throwing
them face downwards on the table), and receive a like number from the
dealer.
At this point, it may be convenient to state wherein the strength of a
poker hand lies, and what, therefore, is the object of the players. A poker
hand is valuable in so far as it contains certain cards, or combinations of
cards, ranking as under. We begin with the highest.