Poker is a card game in which players wager chips (representing money) on the outcome of a hand. It is played with a standard 52-card deck, and the odds of getting different hands are calculated using probability theory. Depending on the game variant, there may be one or more betting intervals before each player is dealt cards. During each betting interval, the first player to act has the option to call, raise or fold.

In most cases, the player who calls a raise must match the amount of the last raise. If he cannot do so, he must fold and forfeit the right to win any additional amount that he might have won at the showdown. This is known as the “matching method”.

Before each player is dealt cards, there are two mandatory bets called blinds that are placed into the pot by the two players to his left. These bets provide an incentive for players to continue to play and increase the chances of winning the pot.

Once everyone has their 2 personal cards, another round of betting begins. 3 community cards are then dealt face up on the table and are revealed to all players. These are known as the flop. The player with the best 5-card hand wins the pot.

If no player has a winning hand, the remaining players reveal their hidden cards and evaluate them at a showdown. Depending on the game, there are several types of poker hands, but only the best five-card hand counts.