Poker is a card game in which players make bets with chips (representing money) that are placed into the pot before the cards are dealt. There are many variations of poker, but the following rules generally apply:
The objective is to have a better five-card hand than your opponents. You are dealt two personal cards, known as hole cards, and then five community cards are revealed in stages, starting with a series of three cards called the flop, then an additional single card referred to as the turn and finally a final single card called the river. You can then combine these cards to form your best hand.
A high level of skill is needed to win a game of poker, and good players can often raise the amount of money in the pot by bluffing. However, a strong knowledge of probability can help you assess the chances of getting the card you need to make your hand.
The card game became popular in the United States in the 1920s and quickly spread throughout the world. In the early 21st century it was a major spectator sport, with tournaments attracting large crowds and television audiences. Surveys showed it to be the favourite card game of American men and third most-favoured of American women, behind rummy and contract bridge. It is also a very common game in casinos. A game of poker can be played with any number of players, but in most cases it is best with six to eight people at a table. It is customary for players to agree before the game starts on a way of splitting up any winnings when it is over.