Poker is a card game that involves betting and raising your bets during a hand. Each player is dealt five cards from a standard pack of 52 and the highest hand wins. Sometimes the game includes wild cards (jokers).

The first betting round begins when a player has the chance to call, raise or fold. The player who calls the bet places his chips in the pot and is said to be “in the pot”.

An ante is a small bet that all players must make before a hand starts. It adds value to the pot because the players who are in the pot can raise their bets by an amount equal to the ante.

After the antes have been placed, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals them to each player one at a time, beginning with the player to his left. Then the player on his right can cut the deck if he wishes.

Once the cards have been dealt, the first betting round begins. After the bets have been raised or folded, the dealer puts three more community cards on the table that anyone can use. This is known as the flop.

After the flop is dealt, another betting round takes place. If the cards on the board show a combination that you have in your hand, it’s called hitting your hand. For example, if you have four hearts and two more heart appear on the turn or river then you’ve made a flush.