Poker is a card game played by two or more people with chips that represent currency. The game is generally a game of chance, but some games have rules that affect the probability of winning.
In most games, the highest hand wins. Each player begins the game with two cards, known as hole cards, which are dealt face down. Five community cards are then dealt in three stages, a series of three (“the flop”), and an additional single card (“the turn” or “fourth street”). Each player attempts to create the best five-card poker hand from their own two hole cards and the five community cards.
Ties in poker can be broken by suit (aces, kings, queens, and jacks) or rank (low to high). Some games also use wild cards which can take the place of any other card.
A player must pay in a minimum amount of chips when they have the opportunity to act, even if they do not wish to call or raise. Players who do not pay in time will be considered out of turn, but they will retain the right to raise if someone else does so first.
Verbally declaring that you will check a hand or raise your bet is binding and you must complete the action. Attempting to make a verbal declaration out of turn is a serious infraction and will result in a penalty.