Poker is a card game that requires both skill and luck to win. It can be played in a variety of ways, but all poker games have similar rules. Poker can be played in tournaments or as a cash game. Tournaments have a set structure and are led by an organizer to ensure that the event runs smoothly.

When playing poker, players bet against one another with the aim of winning a large amount of money known as the pot. The highest ranked hand wins the pot, including all bets placed during that deal. Players may also bluff in order to increase their chances of winning, but this can be a risky strategy.

The player on the left of the dealer button (or “button”) has the option to make the first bet during each betting round. Players then place chips into the pot (representing money) in turn. When it is a player’s turn to bet, they can choose whether to call the bet, raise it or fold.

After the bets have been made, all players reveal their hands. The person with the highest ranked hand wins the pot and all bets placed during that deal. The highest ranked hand is usually a straight, but can also be a pair or a flush. If there is more than one high hand, the highest matching cards determines the winner.