Poker is a card game in which players make bets of chips (representing money) to win the “pot.” The pot is the sum of all bets made during a single deal. A player may win the pot by having the best hand or by making a bet that no other players call. Players can also try to win the pot by bluffing, meaning they bet in a way that suggests that they have a good hand when they don’t.

When a deal of cards is complete, the first round of betting begins with two mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. Then each player, in turn, places their bet into the pot. This is referred to as being in the pot, or being active.

Once the betting is complete for the first betting interval, a fourth community card is dealt face up. This is called the flop. Another round of betting then takes place. Then a fifth card is revealed, this is known as the river. A final round of betting takes place, again with the player in turn to the right of the dealer.

The highest poker hand is a royal flush, which consists of an Ace, King, Queen, and Jack of the same suit. Other high hands include a straight, three of a kind, and pair. Some games also use wild cards, which are usually designated as jokers or one-eyed jacks.