Poker is a game of chance that is played with cards and chips. The main goal is to have the best five-card hand at the end of each round. The player who has the highest hand wins all the money in the pot.

The game begins with an ante, which is the initial amount of money each player must put into the pot before the cards are dealt out. The ante is usually placed by one or more players, and it may be rotated around the table.

Each round of play has a betting interval, during which each player can bet, raise or fold. The betting intervals are spaced apart from each other by a certain number of seconds, so that no player can bet or raise more than the ante in any one betting interval.

After each betting interval, the dealer distributes another card, which is called the flop. Every player can use this card to make a bet, raise or fold.

Some types of poker require players to make a blind bet, which replaces the ante in some games. The blind bet is usually made before the flop, so that all players can see the cards.

The game can be played with any number of players from 2 to 14; however, the ideal number is 6 or 7 players. In most forms of poker, the highest ranked hand wins all the money in the pot. Sometimes the highest ranked hand may tie with another player’s hand, in which case the pot is shared between the two.