Considering how common card games are as a way of passing the time – most of us probably played a few hands of something or other when we were at school, even if it was just “Snap” – it is amazing how it has come to be associated more than anything with gambling. The prize money on offer for some of the world’s bigger poker competitions simply dwarfs a lot of the purses on offer in more established sports – why train all day and keep in shape to win big when you can make more playing cards?

Of course, it is not that simple. For all the comments, usually made by people who have never really played, that poker is a game of chance, there are certain players who have risen to an impressive level of fame for their wins on the international poker circuit. If it really were all about luck, then everyone would have an equal chance of winning, but as it turns out there are some people who play better than others – this is not as a result of chance.

It can take a long time to learn to play poker successfully. There are some basic rules to the game, then there are some other more confusing ones which take a bit more getting used to, and then there are plenty of things not covered by the rules – for example poker has to be one of very few games where lying is actually encouraged (except, in poker, it is called bluffing).