Poker is a card game in which players bet on the strength of their hands. It has become a popular pastime in many countries and is played in casinos, home games, and online. The game is played by two or more players and the object is to win the pot, which is the total amount of all bets made in a single deal. A player may call (match) a bet, raise it (increase the size of the bet), or fold.

The game is very fast-paced, and bets are placed constantly by players. Each round begins with 2 mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. Then the dealer deals each player 2 cards face down. After this, the betting interval starts. The player to the left of the dealer can either call the bet, raise it, or “check” (pass on their turn).

The player who has the best five-card hand wins the pot. Occasionally, there will be a tie among players for the highest hand and the pot will be shared. During the course of several rounds, players will run out of chips, and it can be agreed that they will share the remaining money in some way. This can also be a way to avoid an embarrassing situation, such as when one player loses all their money. Poker can also be used to learn and practice a variety of skills, from probability calculations to strategic thinking.