All versions of poker rely on the same basic premise. Each player must use five cards to create the highest-ranking hand and then attempt to judge whether the hand is better than that of their opponents, and bet accordingly.

What distinguishes poker from most other games of chance is the level to which players are able to deceive or bluff each other as to the value of their hand.

The version of poker that is played at the World Series is No-limit Holdem. Each player is dealt two cards before the first round of betting begins. Then the dealer turns over three cards, the flop, in the centre.

At this point the players are again allowed to raise the bet, or throw in their hand before two more cards are turned over, with a round of betting after each one.

If two or more players have matched each other’s bets to this final stage they show their two original cards and discover who has won the round.

The ranking of poker hands

1 Royal flush five sequential cards from the ace to the ten, all of the same suit

2 Straight flush any five sequential cards of the same suit

3 Four of a kind four cards of the same rank, for example four kings

4 Full house three cards of the same rank with another two cards of the same rank

5 Flush five cards of the same suit

6 Straight five sequential cards of any suit

7 Three of a kind Three cards of the same rank

8 Two pairs two cards of one rank with two cards of a different one

9 One pair two cards of the same rank

10 High card if no player has one of the above, the hand containing the highest-ranked card wins

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