Poker is a card game played between two or more players. It is a fast-paced game and involves betting with cards. The game also includes some element of skill and strategy. Some people play it for fun, while others do it as a way to make money.
To start playing, players buy in for a set number of chips. Each player then has a personal stack of chips that they use to place bets. The chips are usually white, with each one representing the value of a single ante or bet. Alternatively, players can use other colored chips to represent different values. For example, a blue chip might be worth five white chips.
The dealer then shuffles and deals each player 2 hole cards. Then a round of betting begins, initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. Each subsequent player must either call the bet with their own chips or raise it. If they do not, they must “drop” or fold.
After the flop, the dealer deals out another community card, known as the turn. This opens up more betting opportunities, including the chance to bluff.
The river is the fifth and final community card. If there is more than one player still in the hand, it is showdown time. At this point, the remaining players must reveal their hands and the best hand wins the pot.