Poker is a card game in which players independently place chips into a common pot, compete for the highest value hand of five cards, and wager on the outcome. The cards are dealt one at a time, with betting rounds between each deal. Players may raise or check in turn. There are a number of rules that govern the game, such as establishing a limit on how much a player can raise in any betting interval. The goal is to win the other players’ chips and, traditionally, a cash prize or other units of currency such as poker chips.

Many different types of poker games are played, but they all share certain fundamental aspects. Most have an element of chance, but the outcome of a particular hand is often determined by a combination of strategy and psychology. The basic rules are simple and the game is easy to learn.

A standard 52-card pack is used, although some variant games add jokers or other wild cards. The cards are ranked in ascending order from high to low: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3. High card breaks ties.

The game begins with one or more forced bets, called the ante and blind bet. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals them to the players, starting with the player to his or her left. Cards are usually dealt face-up, but some variants have them face-down.