Poker is a game of chance where players bet over their hand of cards to win. Several variations of the game are played worldwide, with different rules and numbers of players. Some games, such as Texas Hold’em, involve five or more players.

The objective of poker is to form the best possible 5-card hand. Players must bet according to the rules of the game. If the hand is weak, the player can discard one or more of the cards. This improves the ranking of the hand.

The first round of betting involves antes and blinds. When a player’s turn comes, he can either raise the ante or call it. He must do so in a clockwise manner.

After the cards have been shuffled, the dealer deals them to each player. A deck of 52 cards is typically used. Each player may have up to three cards to discard.

If all players Check, the betting phase ends. Alternatively, if two or more players Call, the betting phase begins. In some versions of the game, the pot is divided evenly among the highest and lowest hands.

The best hand wins the pot. If there is a tie, the high card breaks the tie. For example, if four people have a pair, the high card is used to break the tie.

When the cards are discarded, another round of betting occurs. If a player raises, all other players must call.

Once all the players fold, the final round of betting is known as the Showdown. Each player must show his or her hand.