The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game of chance and skill. There are many different games and variations of poker, but all involve betting and a showdown in which the players reveal their cards to see who has the best hand. Poker can be played with any number of people, but the ideal is six or seven players. The goal is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made in a particular deal.

Each player begins the game by putting in chips (representing money) into a communal fund called the pot. This mandatory bet, known as a blind, gives everyone an incentive to play. Players may raise bets to increase the size of their contribution to the pot.

Once all the players have two hole cards there is a round of betting, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Once the bets are equalized a third card is dealt to the table, this is known as the flop. There is another betting interval at this stage and then one more card is revealed, this is called the river.

At this stage all remaining players are involved in a showdown and must decide whether to continue with their hands or fold. The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot. If there is a tie, the highest card breaks it. A high pair contains three distinct cards of the same rank, a flush is 5 consecutive cards of the same suit, and a straight is five cards in sequence but not necessarily of the same suit.