The difference between poker and every other casino game is that poker is not played against the house it is played against other players.
Although the basics of the game are simple examining your hand and guessing what the other players may have playing the game well (winning) can involve complex strategies and psychological ploys.
There are myriad versions of poker but the basic hierarchy of winning hands is the same:
Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J and 10 of the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five cards, all of the same suit and in sequence. For example, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 of hearts.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank. For example, four tens, four aces, etc. The other card or cards do not count.
Full House: Three cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three jacks and two fives or three sevens and two threes, etc.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit in no particular order. For example, five hearts, five clubs, five spades, five diamonds.
Straight: Five cards in sequence regardless of suit. For example, 7, 8, 9, 10 and Jack or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Three of a Kind: Any three cards of the...