Poker is a card game played between two or more players and involves betting in a pot. The highest hand wins the pot. Players use their hole cards along with the community cards to make a winning combination. The game has many different variations and rules vary depending on the game type.

Generally, the first round of betting begins with one or more players making forced bets (the ante and/or blind) before being dealt cards. Once the cards are dealt each player has the option to call, raise or fold. Betting continues until all players have called at least the last bet or folded.

The dealer deals each player 2 cards face down, these are called the hole cards. There is then a round of betting with each player having the choice to fold, call the amount of the previous bet or raise the bet.

There is also a side pot for the players who want to play the board only, the winner of this pot shows their hand first to speed up the game. Any player can ask to see a called hand, if this is abused the dealer may choose not to show the hand.

Poker has a formal set of rules for the game, these are managed by an organization called the Tournament Directors Association (TDA). They have members from all over the world who are managers of poker rooms or circuits, or who run independent tournaments.