How to Play Poker

Despite its simplicity, poker is a game of skill. The goal is to get the best hand possible. Poker is played with a standard pack of 52 cards. It is played by a group of players around an oval table.

Each player receives seven cards. The cards are ranked in ascending order from Ace to ace. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. When there are ties, the high card breaks them.

Each player may shuffle his own cards or wait for the dealer to do so. The dealer is the last player to shuffle the cards.

The player in first-to-act position sits to the left of the button, and deals cards face up in turn. This player has the option to check or bet. If he chooses to bet, he must bet exactly the amount of the button’s bet. If he chooses to check, he can raise the bet made by another player.

The last betting round is called a “showdown.” At the end of the last betting round, all hands are revealed. If there are any players left, the highest hand wins the pot. If there are no players left, then the best five-card combination is the winner.

The high card breaks ties when there are multiple people with the same card. This is done when there are two four-of-a-kinds, or when two four-of-a-kinds have the same rank.

A player who folds is said to have “dropped” his hand. He may no longer compete for the pot, but he has the right to collect the pot without showing his hand.