Poker is a card game in which players wager chips on the outcome of a hand. The rules vary from game to game, but all involve betting and the winning player usually receives all of the money in the pot. Most poker games use a standard 52-card pack, with some adding a few wild cards (often called jokers). The rank of the cards is (from high to low): Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
Before any betting begins each player places an ante into the middle of the table. They are then dealt two cards face down. These are private to them and are known as their pocket or hole cards. The first round of betting is then started by the player to the left of the big blind.
After the pre-flop betting phase is over three more cards are put on the table and revealed to all players. This is called the flop. This starts a second betting round and can include raising and folding.
Once the flop is over the dealer puts another card on the table that everyone can use (called the turn). This is then followed by a final betting round.
The best poker hands are made of five distinct cards in a certain rank and suit (like straight, flush, or three of a kind). If more than one player has a 5-card hand with the same rank and suits, the higher card wins.