Poker is a card game in which players place bets against each other, with all of the chips placed into a central pot. Typically, the highest hand wins the pot. While the game involves a large amount of chance, it also requires considerable skill and psychology. It is often portrayed as a game of luck, but there is much more to it than that.
Before the cards are dealt, one player must place an initial bet into the pot (the amount varies by game). This is called an ante or blind bet. This helps ensure that the game has a certain amount of action.
After the antes or blinds have been placed, the dealer deals the cards out to each player. Then the first of several betting rounds begins. During this time, the player to the left of the button places additional bets into the pot if they wish.
After the betting round is over, each remaining player reveals their hands. The winner is the player with the highest hand, which may consist of a pair of the same suit, three of a kind, four of a kind, or a full house. In some cases, the entire table may be required to reveal their hands. If no player has a high enough hand to win, the pot is split amongst the remaining players.