Poker is a game in which players form hands based on the ranking of cards and then place bets into the pot to win. The goal is to maximize winnings with good hands and minimize losses with weak ones. This is achieved through a combination of strategy, psychology, and game theory.
Before the cards are dealt, the players must first place an initial contribution into the pot, called an ante. Then, when betting comes around to a player, they can call the bet and stay in the hand, raise it, or drop (“fold”). Typically, each chip is worth some amount, with white chips usually being the lowest, red chips the next level up, and blue chips the highest.
After each player receives their 2 cards, another round of betting takes place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Then a third card is dealt face up, called the flop. This opens the door for more bets, allowing players to bluff and strengthen their hands.
When the flop is revealed, a player can make a high pair (two matching cards of one rank) or a flush (five consecutive cards of the same suit). A straight is made up of 5 cards that skip in rank but are from more than one suit. If none of these hands are made, the highest single card wins the tie. High card also breaks ties when two or more players have the same pair, same three of a kind, or the same straight.