The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game played between two or more players and is governed by a set of rules. The game is primarily determined by chance, but players can also make strategic decisions based on probability and psychology. The game is played in homes, clubs, and casinos and over the Internet. There are many different poker games with varying rules, but most share certain core principles.

In most forms of poker, each player is dealt five cards. The hand is then evaluated for a high ranking, such as a straight or a flush, or low, such as three of a kind or a full house. A high ranking wins the pot, while a low one splits the pot. Some poker variants use wild cards and other rules.

Before the deal, a small amount of money (representing chips) must be placed in the pot by all players. This is called the ante. The player who places the first ante is said to be in the pot, and he or she may call a bet made by any other player or raise it. Players who place bets without raising are checking. A player who checks cannot win the pot, but he or she can continue to play in future rounds.

Once the bets are made, the cards are revealed by each player in turn. Each player must then choose to either call the highest bet or fold. There is no limit to the number of times a player may raise his or her bet during any betting round. However, the number of times a player may raise must be equal to the amount raised by the player before him.

The best hand is the one that beats all other hands and takes the pot. The best hand can consist of any combination of five cards. A poker hand is ranked in inverse proportion to its statistical frequency; for example, a royal flush is much more rare than a straight or a full house. Ties are broken by the highest unmatched card or, if no matching cards remain, by secondary pairs.

After the flop, turn, and river, each player must show their hand. A player who holds the best 5-card hand is awarded the pot. In some cases, there will be a tie among the best hands, in which case the pot is split.

A player who is all-in and has contributed money to the pot before a hand begins is eligible only for the main pot. Any additional money contributed by players after the last betting round is known as a side pot. A side pot is separate from the main pot and can have many players.