Poker is a card game played with a standard pack of 52 cards. Some variants use two packs or add a few cards called jokers. The cards are ranked (from high to low) Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. There are four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs), but no suit is higher than another.

Betting is done in betting rounds where each player gets a chance to either call, raise or fold. Each round begins with an ante, which is a small bet. After the ante has been paid out, the dealer deals two cards to each player and they keep them secret from the other players.

When a betting round ends, the next deal/betting round is begun and if the last bet or raise on that final betting round is called, it is known as a “showdown” because the players show their hands one-by-one to determine the winner. The hand that has won the most chips is declared the winner of the round.

Playing poker requires a commitment to smart game selection and discipline. It also requires a sharp focus, confidence, and the ability to play at a high level without being distracted or bored. It’s not for the faint of heart, and a lot of time and money is needed to become good at it. But if you’re dedicated and patient, you can develop your skills to the point where you become an expert and even make a living playing poker.