Although the game of poker has many apocryphal origins, the term is thought to have originated among card hustlers, who used it as a slang word to cheat their unsuspecting opponents. Although the word poker has many nuances, it is most likely derived from a game called poque, which was played in the 17th century in France. This game evolved to include the German word pochen, which became a new form of primero. French settlers brought poker to North America.
Although poker rules vary depending on the casino and the type of game being played, the basic rules are the same everywhere. Each player is dealt five cards and must match a bet, raise a bet, and then fold. If the player with the highest hand wins, the game is won. However, in some games, players may use Wild Cards, which can represent any of the five cards in their hand. In these cases, the winning hand is determined by the next card drawn.
The highest hand is a five of a kind. This is the best possible hand in poker, and only occurs when a player has two pairs and a pair. If a player has a pair and a high pair, the second pair wins the hand. If no pair or better hand is paired, the high card will break the tie. When a player has a straight or a pair, the tie-breaker is the high card.