Poker is a card game played between two or more players and involves betting. The objective is to win the pot, which consists of all bets placed during a hand. There are a variety of different poker games and betting strategies. Some involve the use of wild cards or other special cards, while others are purely strategic and based on probability theory and psychology. Regardless of the type of poker, chance still plays a significant role in the outcome of each hand. However, it has been demonstrated that skill generally prevails over luck in the long run.

In the beginning of a hand, each player places an ante (the amount varies by game), and the dealer then shuffles the cards and deals them out one at a time to each player. Then the first of a series of betting rounds takes place. After the betting is complete, each player reveals their cards and the highest hand wins the pot.

To make a winning poker hand, you need two distinct pairs of cards and a high card. Four of a kind is another way to win. Ties are broken by high card, and ties with pair or three of a kind are broken by the rank of those hands.

The game is usually played from a standard pack of 52 cards, but some variant games use multiple packs or add cards called jokers. Each card has a rank (high, low, spades, hearts, diamonds) and suit.