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The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game in which players bet on the strength of their hands. The game can be played by two or more people and the cards may be dealt face up or down. There are several betting rounds, and each round involves a choice to call, raise, or fold. In the end, the player with the best hand wins the pot.

In most games, a player starts by placing a forced bet, called an ante, into the pot before being dealt cards. Some variants of Poker require blind bets as well. Once the forced bets have been placed, the dealer shuffles and deals each player a number of cards, usually five. Each player then looks at their cards and, if desired, may request replacements for any that they wish to discard.

A winning Poker hand must consist of a pair or higher, three of a kind, four of a kind, or a full house. A royal flush consists of a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit (clubs, diamonds, hearts, or spades). A straight consists of 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. Three of a kind is a pair of cards of the same rank, such as three eights and two fours, or three aces and two sevens.

If a player wants to remain in the pot, he or she must match the total amount that has been staked by the previous raiser, or make a larger bet known as an all-in. The player can also choose to fold, which means he or she gives up his or her cards and is out of the current betting round.