Poker is a card game in which players place bets on a range of combinations. A player who makes a good combination wins the pot. The most common combinations are a pair, three of a kind, straight, and four of a kind.

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck. The cards are shuffled, then dealt to the players one at a time. The dealer then either takes up the chips or places them in a pot called a “showdown.” A player who doesn’t want to call a bet can raise it. The player to his left must then put in the same amount or drop out of the hand.

An ante is a small bet that all players contribute to the pot before each hand begins. Antes give the pot a value right off the bat, and help prevent players from folding their hands too early.

If two hands have identical high pairs or triplets, they are tied. The rank of the next card determines which pair wins. If the fifth card is an Ace, it becomes a Royal Flush and beats all other hands.

Many different variations of Poker exist, but all involve betting and a showdown at the end of each hand. The game can be very complicated and requires an immense amount of skill. The game has become a popular pastime for both recreational and professional players. From a legal standpoint, the game of Poker is primarily a game of skill, with only a small element of chance.