Despite its reputation as a game of chance, Poker actually involves a significant amount of skill and psychology. Players make a series of decisions based on expected value and other factors, including the psychological effects of betting on other players. They may bet to win by bluffing that they have a strong hand, or they can choose to call (match) other players’ bets and concede.

The game has many variants, but all involve five cards and some form of betting. Unlike other card games, no cards are hidden from the other players in Poker. Each player begins with two cards, called hole cards or pocket cards, and a series of betting rounds follows, with the winner determined by the highest value hand at the end of the round.

To start a round, one or more players must place a forced bet, either an ante or blind bet. The dealer then shuffles, cuts, and deals cards to the players one at a time, beginning with the player on his or her left. Cards are usually dealt face down, but some games use alternate methods of dealing and may deal them face up instead.

A poker hand is made up of a pair, three of a kind, or a flush. A pair consists of two matching cards of the same rank. Three of a kind consist of 3 cards of the same rank, and a flush contains any 5 consecutive cards of the same suit.