How to Play Poker

Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more people. It is a fast-paced game that requires both luck and skill to win. In the beginning of a hand, each player receives 3 cards. The highest hand wins the pot.

Each hand begins with the dealer dealing one card to each player face down, and then two more cards face up for betting. The player to the left of the dealer acts first during each betting interval. During each betting interval, players can say “call” or “raise” to add more money to the pot than the previous bet. They can also fold if they don’t want to bet.

After the flop, one more card is dealt face up – the river. Another round of betting follows. At this point, any player can make a winning hand by using their two personal cards and the five community cards.

If two hands have the same ranking of cards (suits do not matter) then they are tied and the prize, if any, is split evenly among the tied players.

At any time during the game, a player can ask for replacement cards to improve their hand. This is called a “switch.” This must be done before the river. Depending on the rules of your game, you can draw these new cards during or after the betting rounds. After all the betting is over, the players show their hands and the best hand wins.