The origins of poker are mysterious. While the game’s name is derived from its bluffing and misdirection spirit, its exact origins are unknown. The earliest recorded form of the game was probably a 17th century French game called poque. Later versions of the game include the German pochen and a new version of primero. French settlers brought the game to North America. Although the exact origins of poker are uncertain, it is believed that it was first played in the 1500s.

The high card, also known as the ace, is valued when there are no pairs in a hand. The second highest card breaks ties. A pair is formed when two of the same cards are dealt to a player. In addition to a pair, a straight is a five-card hand. A player with a higher pair wins when more than one player has a straight. To get a straight, a player needs two cards of the same kind.

During a poker game, players may play several rounds of betting. While a player’s hand develops during the course of the game, the current bet represents the amount of money each player has bet in that round. Unlike in other games, however, players do not place their bets into the pot directly. Instead, they place them toward it, which is then gathered together in the pot. If the player wins, his bet will go into the pot.