Poker is a card game that requires skill and strategy. There are hundreds of different variations of the game, but they all have some things in common. Among other things, all poker games are played with cards and chips. The game is usually fast-paced and players bet on their hands during one or more betting rounds. In addition, players may bluff, or pretend that they have a strong hand when in fact they do not. This can cause other players to call the bluff and lose money.
When a player has a good poker hand, they can win the pot (the pot is the sum of all bets placed). The value of a poker hand depends in inverse proportion to its mathematical frequency; therefore, more rare combinations of cards have higher values. For example, an Ace-high straight has a high value. Other poker hands include three of a kind, two pair, and one pair.
The game of poker has become more popular since the early 21st century, especially with the invention of online casinos and broadcasts of poker tournaments for television audiences. Poker is now a global card game.