Poker is a card game where players bet into the pot (the total amount of money that all players contribute) during each betting phase. The highest hand wins the pot. It is a game that requires both skill and chance, but over time, the application of skills can eliminate much of the random variance associated with the game.

Players start each round by placing a forced bet called an ante (the amount varies by game). This is to create value for each player’s hand and encourage players to call raises.

Each player is then dealt 2 cards face down (hidden from other players). This first betting phase is known as the pre-flop betting phase. Then 3 cards are dealt face up in the center of the table – these are called the flop. There is another round of betting and then 1 more card is dealt face up – the river. The best 5-card hand wins the pot, including all of the bets made at each of the betting phases.

If a player’s exposed cards include a pair, this is known as a Straight Hand and is considered the best possible hand. Other high-value hands include Three of a Kind, Four of a Kind, and Five of a Kind. There are also Wild Cards in some games that can take on any suit or rank. These are sometimes used to help improve a hand but often come with specific rules regarding their use.