Poker is a game of chance where players try to make the best hand possible out of five cards. The winning player will collect the pot. It is played with a standard 52 card deck of cards. Various variants of the game have been created. In some versions, the player may use wild cards, which can replace any of the other cards in the hand.

The cards are dealt from left to right. Some games have different betting limits. Other variants award the pot to the lowest or highest hand.

After the first betting round, the dealer discards one, two or three cards. Each player is then given five new cards. Players can then fold, check, raise, or call. If all players have folded, betting ceases.

The next round of betting begins with the player with the best face-up cards. If two or more people called the opening bet, the action continues with the next player.

Another round of betting takes place between the draws. Players can also open or fold their hand during this phase. During this stage, players may only discard up to three cards.

The final betting phase, known as the Showdown, takes place when everyone has called. Afterwards, the pot is split as evenly as possible.

In some variants, the player who holds the highest hand in the round is the winner. Other variations may award the pot to the lowest or highest hand, or do not consider flushes.