Poker is a card game played from a standard pack of 52 cards (some variant games use multiple packs or add wild cards). The highest hand wins. There are four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs) and each suit ranks high to low. Aces are high, Kings and Queens are low.
Each player has two personal cards and five community cards that are used to make the best possible hand. The highest hand wins the pot (the total amount of money that has been bet in a single round).
Before the cards are dealt, players to the left of the dealer have to pay small and big blind bets. This is referred to as the button position. The button moves one spot clockwise after each round of betting.
After the flop, there is another round of betting. Then the river and turn cards are revealed. Each of these new cards can affect the strength of your hand. For example, a river card may improve a pair of kings to three-of-a-kind or it may help a full house beat a flush.
When it is your turn to act, you can raise or call the bet made by the person to your right. You can also fold your cards into the dealer’s hand if you think you don’t have a good enough hand to continue playing. Using the right bet sizes is important because it helps you convey the strength of your hand to your opponents. It’s a good idea to practice your bet sizes with friends before you play for real money.