How to Play Poker

Poker is a card game of chance and strategy that involves betting between two or more players. There are many different variants of the game, but the objective is always the same: to win a pot, or group of bets. A player can win the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand, or by making a bet that other players do not call.

Before the cards are dealt, players place mandatory bets into the pot called blinds. This helps to ensure that there will be money in the pot to be won on each deal.

Once all the players have their two hole cards, a third card is dealt face up on the table called the flop. This starts a new round of betting.

After the flop, the fourth community card is revealed on the table called the turn. The action on the table continues, and if the players have good cards they will continue to raise their bets.

A final fifth community card is then revealed on the table, called the river. Once the river is dealt, players are asked to show their hands, and the best poker hand is announced.