 
There are basically two styles of FIVE CARD STUD poker.  One version
is played with 1 card down and four up.  This computer game is based
on the first card down, then 3 up, then last card down
(traditionally called first and last cards down).

Although mastering the game of poker requires much playing and
concentration, the rules are simple.  They are:

Each player is dealt one card face down, starting with the player
immediately left of the dealer.  Then each player receives a second
card face up.  Keep in mind the other computer players cannot "see"
your first or last down card, only you can.

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The betting round is started by the player showing the highest up
card on the table.  Aces are always high for this purpose (they can
be used as a 1 for purposes of a straight).  If two or more players
have the same highest card value, the player closest to the dealer's
left goes first.  The player who is high ("under the gun") can now
elect to make a bet or check to the other players.  If the player
bets, the other players can then, in turn, call the bet, fold their
hand or raise the bet.  If the player under the gun checks, the
other players, in turn, may check or bet.  A bet or raise by any
player must be answered by players remaining in the pot, in turn.
Intervening raises cause the calling amount to increase accordingly.
The game will indicate how much the call is costing you.  A raise by
you automatically covers the outstanding bet and adds your raise
amount to the pot.
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Once the first round has been completed (no outstanding actions),
the next card can be dealt.  The player "under the gun" after the
third, fourth and fifth cards are dealt is the one showing the
highest hand on the table (see later section for rank of hands).  If
two or more players have the same high card or pair showing, the
other card(s) on the table decide the tie. Again, remember that your
hidden card(s) are not taken into consideration for deciding who is
high on the table.  Of course, they will be looked at during the
showdown (after the fifth card has been dealt and bet) to determine
the winner of the pot.

Should you fold your hand during any of the betting rounds, the
other players will continue to play until all cards have been dealt
or until a winner is determined by opponents folding.
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In Poker, suits (Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs) have no relative
value against each other.  As an example, identical flushes, one in
clubs and one in hearts, would be considered a tie.

The rank of possible hands, from highest to lowest, are:

┌──────────────┐  Five cards of the same suit in sequence, such as
│STRAIGHT FLUSH│  the 3,4,5,6,7 of Hearts.  Aces can be used low,
└──────────────┘  as in A,2,3,4,5 or high, as in 10,J,Q,K,A, which
                  is called a Royal Flush.  When two or more players
                  have a straight flush, the one having the highest
                  card wins (if Ace is used as low, its value is 1)


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┌──────────────┐  Four cards of the same rank (numerical value) form
│FOUR OF A KIND│  this hand, as in J,J,J,J.  If two players have
└──────────────┘  four of a kind, the player holding the four higher
                  ranking cards wins.



┌──────────────┐  This hand is made up of three cards of the same
│  FULL HOUSE  │  rank, and two cards of the same rank, as in
└──────────────┘  K,K,K,3,3.  If two players have a full house, the
                  player having the higher ranking three of a kind
                  wins the pot.

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┌──────────────┐  Five cards of the same suit makes up this hand, as
│    FLUSH     │  in the 3,7,10,J,K of Spades.  When two players
└──────────────┘  have a flush, the player holding the highest rank
                  card wins. If that card matches, the second card
                  determines the winner, or down the line as
                  matching requires it.  The Ace is always high.

┌──────────────┐  Five consecutive cards in two or more mixed suits
│   STRAIGHT   │  make up a straight, as in the 4 of Clubs, 5 of
└──────────────┘  Hearts, 6 of Clubs, 7 of Diamonds, 8 of Spades.
                  If two players have straights, the one holding the
                  highest card wins. If two players have identical
                  sequenced straights, its a tie and the pot is
                  divided.
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┌──────────────┐  Three cards of the same rank, as in 9,9,9,x,x,
│ 3 OF A KIND  │  make up this hand.  The remaining two cards are
└──────────────┘  ignored. If two players have 3 of a kind, the
                  player holding the higher ranked 3 of a kind wins.

┌──────────────┐  This hand is made up of two equally ranked cards
│   TWO PAIR   │  and another equally ranked two cards, as in
└──────────────┘  A,A,8,8,K.  If two players have 2 pair, the player
                  holding the highest ranked pair wins.  If that
                  matches, the one holding the higher ranking second
                  pair wins.  If that matches, the unpaired fifth
                  card decides the winner.  If the match is all
                  inclusive, the hand is a tie and the pot is split.
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┌──────────────┐  This hand is made up of two equally ranked cards
│   ONE PAIR   │  and 3 other unmatched cards, as in 7,7,2,K,5. If
└──────────────┘  two players have one pair, the player holding the
                  highest ranked pair wins.  If that matches, the
                  one holding the higher ranking unpaired card wins.
                  If the match is all inclusive, the hand is a tie
                  and the pot is split.


┌──────────────┐  When the showdown is between two or more players,
│   NO PAIR    │  none of which holds any of the hands described
└──────────────┘  above, the hand containing the highest ranked card
                  wins.  If there is a tie, the second, third, etc.,
                  card decides the winner.  If the hands are
end...            identical, the pot is divided.