Poker is a card game of chance and skill where players place bets (representing money) against other players. It is generally played by two to seven players. A full 52-card English deck is used, with the back colors of the cards mixed before dealing.

There are various forms of the game, each with its own rules. Some games are based on combinations of hands, while others are purely bluffing games. The aim is to win the “pot” – all bets placed during one deal – by having the highest ranked hand of cards when the hands are revealed, or by betting so much that other players with superior hands drop out of the game.

The cards are dealt in stages, with two cards to each player, known as hole cards, being dealt face down first. After this, a further three community cards are dealt face up, in a process called the flop, then an additional single card, the turn, and finally a final single card, the river. There is then a round of betting.

Players can raise the amount of money they bet, and can also call a bet from other players, as long as they have the money to do so. Players can also fold their cards if they do not think they have a strong enough hand to win the pot. It is also possible to bluff in poker, and this is a very important part of the game.