Poker is a card game in which players place an initial amount of money into the pot before being dealt cards. Depending on the rules of the particular game, this can be either an ante, a blind, or both. Players then have the option to call (match) the bet, raise it, or fold their hand. Poker is played in many countries and has become one of the most popular casino games in the United States. It has also become a major spectator sport, with professional tournaments broadcast live on television and online.

Poker can be played with any number of players, although it is most often played by two to 14 people. The dealer shuffles the cards and then deals them to the players, starting with the player on their left. Cards may be dealt face up or down, depending on the game. The object of the game is to win the pot, which consists of all of the players’ bets. A player can win the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by betting so much that no other players call his or her bet.

There are many variants of poker, and each has its own rules and terminology. Some games also use wild cards or other special cards to add to the ranking of a hand. A high-ranking poker hand consists of a pair of cards of the same rank, and a five-card straight beats all other hands.