The Basics of Poker

Poker is a game of chance and risk but it also involves a great deal of psychology and skill. It can be very rewarding when you win but it can also be very disappointing to lose. It is important to understand the rules of poker before you play.

Before the cards are dealt players put money into the pot called a blind or an ante. Then they are given cards that they keep hidden from their opponents. In some poker games there are additional chips called bring-ins that people can add to the bet. Depending on the rules of the game some of these bets are mandatory and others are not.

After the first betting round is complete the dealer deals three community cards face up on the board that everyone can use, this is called the flop. Then another betting round takes place. This time players have the option to check (pass on betting) or raise their bets.

The highest five-card hand wins the pot. This is a full house if you have 3 matching cards of one rank and two matching cards of another rank, or a flush if you have 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. A straight is a sequence of 5 cards of the same rank but not in order and a pair is two distinct cards of the same rank. The high card breaks ties if no one has a pair or better.