Poker

The standard pack of 52 cards is used, sometimes with one or two wild cards. Poker is a one-pack game, but today virtually all games played in clubs and among the best of players use two packs of contrasting colors to speed up the game. While one pack is being dealt out, the other is being shuffled and prepared for the next deal. The procedure for two packs is as follows: during the deal, the previous dealer assembles all of the cards from the pack, shuffles them and turns them to the left.

When it is time for the next deal, the shuffled deck is passed to the next dealer. In many games where two packs are used, the dealer's left opponent instead of the right opponent cuts the pack. In clubs it is customary to change cards frequently and to allow each player to request new cards at any time. When new cards are introduced, both packs are replaced and the seal and cellophane wrapping on the new decks should be broken in full view of all players.