I. ˈpōkə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: poke (II) + -er
1. : a rigid fairly heavy straight metal rod (as of iron, steel) that typically has one end fitted with or shaped into a handle and the other bent or hooked and that is usually used for adjusting or stirring burning logs or coals (as in a fireplace) or similar burning material
2. : a toothed rod attached to the bobbin rail of a spinning machine and used for giving an up-and-down movement to the bobbin rail
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably modification of French poque, a card game somewhat similar to poker
: one of several card games (as draw poker, stud poker) in which a player bets that the value of the hand he holds is greater than the value of the hands held by the other players and in which each subsequent player must either equal or raise the bet already made or drop out of the game for that deal and in which at the end of the betting the player holding the hand that has the highest value wins all that has been bet in that deal
[s]poker.jpg[/s] [
poker hands in descending value: 1 five of a kind, 2 royal flush, 3 straight flush, 4 four of a kind, 5 full house, 6 flush, 7 straight, 8 three of a kind, 9 two pairs, 10 one pair
]