The game of poker is a card game that involves betting. It requires a standard pack of 52 cards (some variant games use more or less). Each card has a rank, ranging from high to low, and there are four suits: spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. The highest-ranked hand wins the pot.
Each player must ante some amount of money, typically small, before they are dealt cards. Then they bet into the pot in a round of betting that begins with the player to their left. A player may call, raise, or fold during the hand.
After a round of betting is complete the dealer puts 3 cards face up on the table that anyone can use (called the flop). Another round of betting takes place and players can raise, call, or fold.
At the end of the hand the dealer names the winner and pushes the pot of chips to them. Depending on the game you may be playing there is an additional rule called pot limit which says that a player cannot raise or call unless their bet is equal to or greater than the size of the pot.
When starting out it is important to learn the rules of poker. This includes understanding the rank of hands, such as a royal flush consists of Ace, King, Queen, and Jack all of the same suit. It is also important to understand how a bet works, such as calling means you are in the hand and will probably continue to play it.