Using a standard deck of 52 cards, poker players bet into a central pot. The player with the best hand wins the pot. There are several variations of poker, including draw poker and lowball. Some games require players to bet into a side pot. Other games use wild cards.

The goal of poker is to create the best hand possible. Each hand is made up of five cards, ranking from Ace to King. If two players have four of a kind of the same rank, the high card breaks the tie. When two players have two four of a kind, the highest unmatched card breaks the tie.

Poker is played by a group of people around an oval table. The first player to the left of the big blind is the first to act. He is responsible for posting the big blind and small blind.

The first player to act is also responsible for making the first bet. This bet is known as the ante. The ante is usually a small bet. The player with the highest card is the initial dealer.

Poker starts with a betting round after the first few cards are dealt. The player with the highest card is the winner. Players can check or raise. If there are two players with the same hand, the ace and seven in the hole are the top pair.

In some poker games, the ace may be treated as the lowest card. A pair of kings is not bad off the deal.