Poker is a card game that involves betting. It is a fun and exciting game that can be played by anyone. There are several rules that must be followed in order to play the game correctly. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of poker. This will help you understand the game better and make it easier for you to win. Once you understand the basics of poker, you can begin to learn more about strategy and tactics.
Once all players have two cards in their hands there is a round of betting. This is initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blinds which are placed into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. Once the betting round is complete the dealer deals three additional cards face up on the table that everyone can use (called the flop). The players then get another chance to bet and raise their hands.
Then the dealer puts a fifth card on the table that everyone can use (called river). The players then get another chance to bet, check, fold or raise their hands. The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot.
The highest ranked hand is Royal flush which consists of 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. A full house consists of 3 matching cards of one rank and 2 matching cards of another rank. A flush consists of five cards that skip around in rank but are from the same suit. A straight consists of 5 cards in consecutive rank and can be from any suit. A pair consists of 2 distinct pairs and a high card breaks ties.