Poker is a card game that can be played with any number of players. However, the ideal number is 6 or 8. Each player can bet a predetermined amount, called the pot, and may win it if they have the highest-ranking poker hand. The game also has a side pot, which is a separate pool of money that has been bet by other players but not the dealer.

In poker, a hand consists of five cards. A hand can be considered “high” or “low” if it contains two distinct pairs of cards and a card that is an ace. When two players have the same hand, the winnings are divided equally. In some games, the ace can also be considered the lowest card.

Though poker is a game of chance, players can increase their chances of winning by learning the psychology and skills of the game. In addition, the number of hands played diminishes the role of chance. In the long run, the expected value of poker hands will follow a bell-shaped curve. However, in the short term, luck plays a major role in poker.

In some variations of poker, players are required to make a minimum ante. The minimum ante is determined by the stakes of the game and is usually the amount of money that is necessary to enter the pot.