Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players. There are many variants of poker, but all share some common features. In all poker games, the objective is to win the pot, which contains the sum of all bets made by players in a given deal. A player may win the pot by having the highest-ranking hand at the end of a betting round, or by making a bet that no other players call.

In poker, each player is dealt five cards. A player’s hand is ranked according to its value, which is determined by the mathematical frequency of the cards. A high card hand consists of one card of the highest rank, a pair is two cards of the same rank, and three unmatched cards make a flush.

Before each player is dealt their cards, the dealer shuffles and cuts the deck. The player to the right of the dealer then places a forced bet, called an ante or blind bet (some games require both). Other players may choose to raise their bets in turn. These bets are collected into a central pot, the amount of which varies between poker variants.

Poker requires skill, calculation, and confidence. By learning to weight your chances of a winning hand, you can increase your profits. This is an important skill for life, as you must weigh risks and opportunities in any situation. Using this workbook will help you internalize key calculations and improve your intuition at the table.