Poker is a card game in which players independently try to assemble the best possible hand of cards. Each player places a number of chips into the pot, which represents money. Usually, one chip is worth a minimum bet (or ante). Some games allow the players to exchange their cards for replacements at some point during or after the betting round, but this isn’t common in professional games.

Before the first deal, the player to the left of the dealer (or button) must place a forced bet into the pot. This is usually a combination of the ante and blind bets. Players are then dealt cards which they keep hidden from their opponents. After a number of betting intervals, the players reveal their hands and the highest hand wins the pot.

A high hand consists of a straight, flush, or full house. A straight consists of five cards that are consecutive in rank, while a flush contains five of the same suit. A full house consists of three matching cards of one rank, plus two matching cards of another rank. Two pair consists of two matching cards of one rank, plus three other unmatched cards.

You can add to the pot by saying “raise.” Other players can call your new bet, or fold if they want to stay in the round. Some players will also check, which means they pass their turn without adding any chips to the pot.