Although the origin of poker is disputed, it is believed to have been played in Europe around the seventeenth century. The word poker itself comes from the French game of poque, which evolved into the German game of pochen and a new version of primero. The game was brought to the United States by French settlers, and its popularity spread across the continent. Today, there are an estimated 60 million players in the U.S., making poker one of the most popular games.
A player in a game of poker is required to have a minimum hand in order to bet. This minimum hand is sometimes a pair of jacks. This hand must be played before the dealer can make a decision. However, the minimum hand required for betting is usually higher than a pair of jacks. The game continues until a jack is revealed. Thereafter, the player must reveal all of his cards in order to determine who is the winner.
The number of players in a game of poker is usually six or eight. The ideal number is between six and eight players. The amount of money being bet in one deal is called the pot. The highest hand wins the pot. In addition, a player can win the pot by betting that he/she has the best hand, and the other players must match it. If both players have the same hand, a tie is broken by a second deal.