Poker is a family of card games that are played worldwide. Typically, the player with the best hand wins the pot. The cards are dealt in prearranged rounds. There is a round of betting followed by a showdown. This is where the hand is revealed and the winner is determined.
Most poker games are played with a standard deck of playing cards. However, variations do exist, such as three-card brag and seven-card stud. In some versions, straights are not included in the calculation of the highest hand.
A player can either go all-in or call. An all-in is a bet that covers the entire betting stack. A call is a bet that matches the previous bet. For example, a player who is holding a nut flush on the river may call a raise by the opponent.
Players can also make forced bets. These include a blind bet, ante, or an ante-bet. They are often used as a way of bluffing opponents.
The most common poker structures are pot-limit and no-limit. Pot-limit games require standardized bets, while no-limit games allow the bet to exceed a certain amount.
The cards are then distributed in face-up and face-down rounds. Players can reveal any hidden cards. When there are only two players left, a showdown is held. All but one player folds, leaving the remaining player with the pot.
A poker game can be free to play or paid for. Many online poker sites accept a variety of currencies, and many accept players from all over the world. Some also offer forums and poker videos to help players improve their skills.