LAS VEGAS (AP) To win poker's ultimate prize - the World Series of Poker's Main Event - one must first outlast several thousand other players in no-limit Texas Hold `em.
Here's how it's played:
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Two cards are dealt face down to each player, followed by a round of bets. Each player must either fold, match the bet or bet more than the big blind - the mandatory minimum bet put in by the player two spots to the left of the rotating dealer button. That includes the player in the small blind, which is half the big blind, one spot to the left of the button.
All players who have not folded must put in the same amount of chips to continue playing in the hand. Once they do, three community cards called the flop are dealt face up.
Another round of bets, checks or raises starts with the player closest to the small blind and moving left.
Next comes fourth street, or the turn card, followed by more betting. Finally, fifth street, or the river card, is turned up, and there is a final round of betting.
The player with the best five cards out of seven takes the pot. A royal flush is the best hand possible, while a single high card can sometimes win if no other hands are made.
The blinds go up and so do the antes - small mandatory bets for every player - as play goes on, raising the stakes and the pressure.
