The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game with many variants, but the goal of most games remains the same: win the pot. The pot is the total amount of bets placed in a single round, and it can be won by having the highest-ranking hand or by making a bet that no one else calls.

A poker game can have as few as two players, but most are played with 6 or more players. Before the cards are dealt, each player must place an ante. Some variants of poker require blind bets, which can replace or be in addition to the ante, and are made by each player in turn.

Once all players have placed their antes, the first betting phase begins. Players take turns clockwise around the table revealing their cards. The player who has the best 5-card poker hand wins the pot.

After the revealing phase, 3 more cards are dealt face-up in the middle of the table. These cards are known as the flop and are community cards, which are used by all players to make their final hands. A new betting phase begins after the flop.

Throughout the round, players can bet, raise, or fold. To bet, a player must have the amount of money equal to or greater than the previous bet. If a player has a bad poker hand, they may choose to fold instead of betting. Those who choose to fold give up their cards and all of the money they bet that round.