Poker is a betting card game that tests your ability to read your opponents. Its roots are in the 17th-century French game primero, but it became a global game after being adapted to suit different cultural needs and temperaments. Today, it is a favorite pastime of many people. You can play it for fun or for real money.
Before the hand begins each player must “buy in” for a set amount of chips. Each player will then make a bet during each round. Players can call a bet by placing the same number of chips into the pot as the person to their left; raise a bet by increasing the amount placed into the pot by at least one chip; or drop, in which case they put no chips into the pot and discard their cards.
After the first betting round is complete the dealer deals three cards face up on the table, called the flop. These are community cards that everyone can use. After the flop betting round is complete the dealer deals a fourth card on the table, known as the turn.
After the turn betting round is complete the fifth and final card is dealt, known as the river. The last betting round takes place and the player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. If the hands are tied, then the highest pair wins. In addition, a high pair beats two pairs and three of a kind beats a straight.