Knowing the Fundamentals of Poker. Poker is a card game that usually uses a standard 52-card deck and blends elements of skill and chance. Hrummy maving the best hand at showdown or persuading other players to fold their hands are the two ways to win chips or cash. There are several betting structures that can be used, such as no-limit, pot-limit, and fixed-limit formats, and the game can be played with two to ten players.