The Aim of the Game

Throughout the game the players are wagering whether or not they will win the current hand. All the wagers made by the players are put into the pot. The aim of the game is to win money. Players win money by capturing the pot. There are two ways to win the pot.

One word of caution before these are explained: Naturally all pots are not equally big as the size depends on how much the various players believe in their cards at each moment. And even though the aim of the game is capturing the pot, a poker session should not be evaluated by the number of pots won but rather the amount of money won. That is it can be more lucrative to win a few key pots rather than lots of small, mind you, not insignificant ones.

Anyhow the pot can be won in one of two ways: Either by showing down the best hand or by being the only one left in the pot.

Showing Down the Best Hand

If there are two or more players still involved in a hand after the last round of betting there is a showdown. Then the players "show down" their hands face up. The player holding the best hand wins the pot.

Being the Only One Left in the Pot

If you are the only one left in a pot it means that everyone else has folded. They have given up their right to contest the pot by not matching your bet. When you win the pot in this manner then you may have had the best hand, or not. That does not matter. Regardless if being the only one left is the result of having played strong cards strongly or if it is the result of a well timed bluff, the main conclusion is that everyone else has surrendered and that the pot belongs to you. You have "bought the pot".