Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players. The game is a game of chance, but also involves a considerable amount of skill and psychology. Players place a bet, called a “pot,” into the center of the table to compete with other players for a winning hand. The player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot, but players may also bluff in order to win the pot.
In most games of poker, a standard deck is used. The dealer shuffles the cards and then deals each player 2 starting cards, which they keep hidden from other players (this phase is called the ‘pre-flop’ betting period). After this, 3 community cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table (called the ‘flop’). A new round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
Two pairs of cards (such as jacks and queens or sixes and eights). The higher pair wins. Three of a kind with two distinct cards (such as jacks, sevens, and 10s). The highest three of a kind wins. High card (which can be either an ace, a king, a queen, or a jack) breaks ties.
Players can say “raise” to add more money to the bet, or they can say “call” to match the previous bet made by someone else. They can also fold, which means they will not contribute any money to the betting pot.