Poker is a popular gambling game played worldwide. It is played with a standard pack of 52 cards, or in some variations, a number of wild cards are included.
The aim is to have the best five-card hand possible. Usually the best hand is a straight flush, with two distinct pairs of cards plus the fifth card. However, there are several other variations of poker, which do not consider straights.
To play, each player puts in the same number of chips. Chips come in different colours: white, red and blue. Whites are usually worth 10 or 25 whites, while reds and dark-coloured chips are worth 2 to 4 reds.
Cards are dealt clockwise around the table. Each player may discard three or more of their cards.
After the first round of betting, a showdown takes place. When the cards are revealed, the player with the highest hand wins the pot. If the cards are ties, the highest card breaks the tie.
In most games, there are several rounds of betting. Before each round of betting, each player must put in a corresponding amount of ante.
During the course of the betting, each player has the opportunity to discard three or more of their cards. Once all players have made their bets, the betting interval ends.
When the betting interval is over, the final round of betting begins. Players have the option to call the ante, raise the current open bet, or fold.