Poker is a form of gambling that involves putting a bet in a pot of chips. The goal of a poker player is to win the most amount of money in a hand. It’s a game of chance, but the outcome is greatly affected by the luck of the draw.

In most forms of poker, a player’s winning hand consists of five cards. This includes a pair, three of a kind, two pairs, or even a straight. However, there are dozens of poker variations. Some don’t consider straights at all, and others split the pot between the highest and lowest hands.

Poker can be played online. Online poker uses the same rules as standard poker. Typically, the poker table has a button that indicates the nominal dealer. Players who predominantly play online are often known by their screen name.

When a betting round begins, each player must put a specific number of chips into the pot. These chips are typically made of ceramic or plastic.

A hand consisting of five cards is called a flush. A hand of five cards of the same suit is a straight.

Two or more identical hands can be tied, but only one player can win the pot. The first player to call a raise wins the pot, but the second player who raised must fold.

The last betting round is sometimes referred to as a showdown. After all the players have been dealt their cards, they reveal their hand and a decision is made.