Poker is a game where players make bets on their cards and try to win the pot. The outcome is largely affected by chance, but some skill is required to play.
Players begin by making an ante, which is a small bet. In the event of a tie, the highest unmatched card breaks the tie. After the bet, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals them out to each player one at a time.
Depending on the type of poker played, the hand can be dealt face up or face down. If the players are playing a draw game, the players may discard their cards. A draw hand can be made up of one, two or three discarded cards.
Cards are then dealt clockwise around the table. After each round of betting, the player with the highest hand takes the pot. Some games allow bluffing, in which the player makes a bet to get others to fold, and then reveals his hand. This can lead to other players winning side pots.
A player can also bet on whether he has the best hand. He must then raise the amount of his bet by the number of chips in the pot. For example, if a player bets $10, the other players must match.
Once all the chips are in the pot, another round of betting begins. This is called the second betting interval. When the second betting period is complete, the players can then decide if they want to keep their cards or discard them.