In a game of poker, the goal is to win the pot by using all five cards. Each player uses his own five cards to form his hand. If all players Check, raise their stake, or Fold, the round proceeds to the next betting round. Once all players call or fold, the showdown is held. In the end, one player will win the game with the highest hand. The winning player is called the “showdown winner”.

The best hand in poker is called a “nuts hand,” which is a pair of sevens. When you have pocket fives and six on the flop, you can get a gutshot. You must hit a seven on the turn and river to complete the straight. Unlike an open-ended straight, a gutshot is half as likely to hit than an open-ended straight. But if you have an unlucky hand, the nutshot may be the best possible hand.

A frequent limper is a passive player who likes to “see” the flop. When he doesn’t have enough money to raise his stake, he may fold his hand. The player who raises is known as a “folder.”