Poker is a card game that involves playing against other people, often in a casino. Players make bets, evaluate their hands and try to make the best hand possible. The object of the game is to be the first player to win the poker pot.

A pot is the aggregate of all bets made in a single round. The pot may be won by the best hand in the hand, or by a bet that no other player calls.

In most poker games, players play a few rounds of betting. They check, bluff or fold, depending on the particular game.

There are several types of poker, including draw, Omaha, Seven-card stud and Texas Hold’em. Each type has its own rules. Some variants use a standardized 52-card deck, while others use a smaller pack.

There are two types of bets: the ante and the blind. Depending on the game, each player contributes a specific number of chips to the pot. This is usually the minimum.

After the first round, the dealer will deal cards to each player. He or she can choose to shuffle all of the cards or pass them out in sets. Once a player’s hand is revealed, the pot is awarded to the winner.

Another common type of bet is the showdown. It’s the point at which the best hand is shown. During the showdown, everyone gets a chance to see the cards.

Other types of poker involve a variety of other bets. These include side pots and split pots.