Poker is a card game in which players make bets against one another based on the strength of their hand. It is considered a game of chance, but betting introduces an element of skill and psychology. The aim of the game is to win the pot (all bets placed) by having a high-ranking hand.
A player may choose to call a raise, or to fold their hand and forfeit the money that they already put into the pot. Players must also decide whether to reveal their cards, which allows the other players to assess their hand and determine whether a player was bluffing.
The dealer shuffles the cards and deals each player one at a time, starting with the person to his or her immediate left. After the initial deal, a number of betting rounds begin. Players can raise and re-raise the bets in each round, but must always make at least a minimum bet in order to stay in the game.
The highest-ranking hand wins the pot, but ties are common. If two players have a pair, the player with the higher-ranking pair wins; if neither has a pair, the highest single card wins; if both have the same high card, they compare their second highest cards, and so on.