Poker is a card game in which players place bets. Each player makes an ante (the amount depends on the game). Bets are placed in the center pot, and the player with the highest-ranked hand wins the pot. Betting rounds are usually completed clockwise. Players have three choices when betting: raise, fold, or remain silent.

To win, a hand must contain at least two pairs of cards and the high card of one of the players’ cards. Normally, the highest pair in the hand wins, but sometimes ties are broken by the high card. This happens when no one has a pair, when multiple players tie for the highest card, or when a high hand is the same as the high card of the player’s opponents’ hand.

If you have the “nuts,” you’re in position. This means that your cards are not part of the community cards. The turn and river cards determine your hand, and a player who has a substantial statistical advantage can hit a backdoor flush. This kind of hand can be a valuable one if you’re holding two different suits. Often, it’s best to raise more hands in late position to increase your odds of winning.

If you don’t have a pair of kings, it’s best to check your hand. Usually, you can fold when the last player folds, but you can also fold if a player raises his or her stake.