Poker is a card game in which players wager chips (representing money, for which it is almost always played) on the outcome of a hand. There are many different types of poker, but all involve betting in a round and showing cards at the end to decide who has the best hand. There is a great deal of skill in poker, particularly in reading other players, but it is also a game of chance and luck.
There is a lot to learn about poker, but a good place to start is with the basic rules of the game. In general, each player must place an amount of money into the pot called an ante before they can be dealt any cards. They may then call, raise or fold their cards. If a player raises, they must match or exceed the highest bet made in the previous round to continue the betting.
When the betting starts, you might have a strong pair of kings and want to raise your bet. But you’re playing against a player who has two pairs and a high card. This type of tie is decided by looking at the highest card in each hand.
If the pair is higher than the high card, then that is the winning hand. But if the pair is lower than the high card, then the higher hand wins. This is true even if the highest pair is composed of the same suit.