Poker is a card game in which players make bets with chips that form a pot and the player who has the best hand wins. The game is based on chance, but it also involves skill and psychology. A good bluff can sometimes win the whole pot.
The rules of the game vary depending on the game type and the number of players, but most poker games feature betting rounds and showdowns where players reveal their cards. In addition, most poker games are played with poker chips that represent the value of a bet. There are several different types of chips, but white and red chips are commonly used.
Players begin the game by placing forced bets, usually an ante or blind bet. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals each player two cards face down. If a player is not happy with their cards, they can discard them and draw new ones from the bottom of the draw stack. The first round of betting begins after the players have their cards and may continue for several rounds.
The highest poker hand is a pair of distinct cards. If more than one hand has a pair, the higher-ranking hand wins. A three-of-a-kind is three distinct cards of the same rank. A straight is five consecutive cards of the same suit. Ties in these hands are broken using the high card rule.