Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It involves betting, raising, and folding to form a winning hand. A player can also bluff, which usually involves projecting confidence in your hand by betting high amounts. In addition, the game requires good strategy and math. The game has become a favorite of many people, from celebrities to everyday citizens.

Before the cards are even dealt, most poker games require that each player put a contribution into the pot, called an ante. The amount varies with different poker games, but is usually an equivalent of one or more chips. The dealer will then deal the cards to the players. The first player to act may choose whether to call or raise the other players’ bets.

The game is generally played from a standard pack of 52 cards, although some variant games use more than one pack or add a joker. Cards are ranked (high to low) in suits of spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. The highest ranking poker hand is the royal flush, consisting of an ace, king, queen, jack, and ten. There are also wild cards, which can take on any suit or rank.

Some poker games use a “kitty” or “cutting fund,” into which players contribute one low-denomination chip from each pot in which there is more than one raise. This money is used to pay for new decks of cards and food and drink. If any player, dealer, or floorperson notices an error in the awarding of a pot they have an ethical obligation to point out the mistake.