Poker is a card game in which players place wagers, or chips (representing money), against one another. The aim is to win the pot, which is the total of all bets made in a single deal. The pot is won by a player with the highest-ranking poker hand, or by bluffing and causing other players to fold.

The game is played in homes, clubs, and casinos, and has become a significant part of American culture. Poker is a game of chance and involves a certain amount of psychology; however, it also requires skill to play well.

Before the cards are dealt, each player must put a mandatory bet, called a blind bet, into the pot. These bets are placed by the players to the left of the dealer, and they are required for each round of betting.

After each player has 2 hole cards, the first betting phase begins, and the player to his or her immediate left places a bet. Then the cards are dealt face up, in a three-card sequence that is called the flop. The flop is considered community cards, and each player uses 3 of these along with their two hole cards to make a poker hand.

The rank of a poker hand is determined by its relative mathematical probability; a higher-ranking hand beats a lower-ranking hand. When two hands tie on the rank of a pair, three of a kind, or four of a kind, the hand with the high card breaks the tie. A flush is a five-card hand consisting of all the same suit; if this beats a straight, it is considered the best possible poker hand.