The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game that involves betting chips (which stand in for money) against other players. The goal is to win the most money by having a high-ranked hand of cards. Players may also bluff and try to trick other players into calling their bets by showing signs that they have inferior hands.

The rules of poker vary between different versions, but most involve a standardized procedure. Before each round, the players must put in a sum of money called an ante or blind bet. This is typically passed clockwise to the player to the left of the dealer, who starts the betting interval. Each player is then dealt two cards which they keep secret from the other players.

After the first bet is placed, one or more additional cards are revealed on the table, called a flop. Depending on the rules of the variant being played, the player with the highest card in their hand wins the pot. A player can also choose to fold and not continue betting.

The next betting phase takes place, and players can raise the amount they bet by saying “raise.” This forces other players to either call your new bet or fold. In some cases, players will also reveal their cards during this phase, which is called the showdown. The player with the best 5-card hand wins the pot with all of the money that was raised during this betting period.