The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game that is most often played between two or more players. It is a game of chance, but it also involves skill and psychology. The aim of the game is to win a pot, which is the sum of all bets placed during a hand. The pot can be won either by having the highest-ranking hand or by making a bet that no other player calls.

The game of poker has many variants, but they all share certain essential characteristics. The game begins with each player being dealt two cards face down. After this, a round of betting commences. During this phase, each player has the option to call, raise, or fold. The person who raises the most money wins the pot.

Once the betting has ended, players reveal their hands. The first to do this is called the “dealer” and may or may not be an active player. The rest of the players then take turns clockwise around the table to do the same.

The most common hand is a pair. A pair consists of two cards of the same rank, such as Ks-Kd or Jd-5c-3d. If multiple hands have a pair, the higher one wins. If no pairs are present, the highest card breaks ties. If no high card is present, the next highest hand wins. A straight consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as J-8-5-3-2. Ties in straights are broken the same way as ties for other hand types.