Poker is a card game played by two or more players on a table. The game’s rules vary from variant to variant, but in general the aim is to make the best hand according to the rules of the variant being played. The player who makes the best hand takes the pot (the sum of all the bets made).

Almost all forms of poker use chips, which represent money. The number of chips a player must buy in is determined by the rules of the particular game being played. Players place these chips into a pot, called the pot, in one of several betting intervals, depending on the variant being played.

When a player’s turn to bet comes, they must either match the highest previous bet (or “call”) or raise it. In some cases, a player can check, meaning that they stay in without betting.

In most modern forms of poker, the standard 52-card pack is used, with two packs of contrasting colors often used to speed up the dealing process. The cards are dealt in rotation to the left of each player, until a jack appears, at which point the deck is shuffled and passed on for the next deal.

It is important that players do not reveal their hand after they fold, as this can give information to other players about the strength of their holdings. It is also important that players do not discuss their hands with other players or with the dealer, as this can be against the rules of the game.