The Official Poker Hand
Poker has ancient roots. Its early origins can be traced to the domino card game played by a 10th-century Chinese emperor. The game is also claimed to be a descendant of the Persian card game As Nas, which dates back to the 16th century. Poker’s European predecessor, Poque, spread throughout Europe in the 17th century. The game was based on the 16th-century Spanish primero, which featured three cards dealt to each player and a strategy involving bluffing.
Each hand begins with the dealer button, which represents the nominal dealer. The dealer button is usually a white plastic disk that indicates the nominal dealer. Cards are dealt clockwise around the poker table, starting with the player on the first seat. The player with the dealer button is the first to receive a hand, and is expected to sit at his or her table until the final card is dealt. The game is then played in a clockwise fashion, so that each player has an equal chance of receiving all of his or her cards.
The official poker hand is a pair of kings, queens, or aces. If you hold three pairs, you have a pair of jacks, but you cannot make a bet on them. You’ll be paid by the poker room to fill any empty seats. If you don’t have a pair of kings, you’ll have to bet more to win. This is not an official poker hand, but it’s still a strong hand – it’s just not an official one.