Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players. It is a game of chance and bluffing that has become an international phenomenon. The game’s rules are based on probability and psychology. Unlike some other card games, money is never forced into the pot; it is placed voluntarily by players who believe that the bet has positive expected value for them.

The basic deck consists of 52 cards, with four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs). The highest hand wins. Some games also include wild cards or jokers, which may take on whatever suit and rank the player wants. The highest pair wins, and ties break on the rank of three of a kind, two pairs or four of a kind. The best high hand also wins the pot in hi-lo games, with the best low hand winning half of the pot (scooping).

Before dealing a hand, each player places an amount of chips into the pot called the “ante.” A token referred to as the button is then passed clockwise around the table to indicate who will be betting first.

You can raise the ante by saying, “I call.” This means you want to bet the same as the person before you. You can also say, “raise” to add more money to the pot. After a round of betting, each player discards up to three cards and deals replacements. When it is your turn, you can choose to “raise” again or simply check (pass on placing a bet). If no one calls you, you must fold your cards into the pot.