Poker is a card game that involves betting and strategy. It can be played with 2 to 14 players. The object is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets placed in a single deal. This can be done by having the highest hand or by making a bet that no one calls.

To begin the game, all players must ante something (amount varies by game). Then, the dealer deals each player two cards face down. Then a round of betting starts with the player to the left of the button. The button is a marker that indicates where the betting should start and moves around the table after every hand.

After the initial bet, the flop is dealt. This is where most of the action takes place. Each player must now decide whether to call the bet, raise it, or fold their cards. If they fold, they lose any money they put into the pot. If they call, they must match the bet of the person to their right. If they raise it, they must increase the amount of money that was raised by the previous player.

The highest five-card poker hand is called a full house, which consists of three distinct pairs and a high card. This beats any other hand. A high card can also break ties. The most common hands are: the straight, the flush, and the three of a kind. Other hands include two pair, one pair and the high card.