Poker is a card game in which players independently try to assemble the best possible five-card hand. The highest-ranking hand wins the pot, a pool of bets made by all active players in a given deal. The game is traditionally played with a standard 52-card pack, though some games may use multiple packs or add wild cards (often called jokers).

Depending on the rules of the particular variant being played, one or more players are required to place an initial amount of money into the pot before the dealer deals the cards. These forced bets come in the form of antes, blinds or bring-ins.

Once all players have placed their bets, the cards are dealt, either face up or down depending on the game rules. The first player to the left of the dealer begins the betting round. During the course of a hand, players are able to exchange cards or draw replacements from the deck as necessary.

The highest-ranking hand is a royal flush, which contains four cards of the same rank in sequence. Other high hands include a straight, three of a kind or a full house. Two pair is a low hand that consists of two distinct pairs of cards. The highest card breaks ties. In addition to these poker hands, players can win by bluffing during the course of the hand. This can often force weaker hands to fold, improving the overall value of a winning hand.