Poker is a card game played by two or more players. Usually the cards are dealt face down to each player and then they bet on their hands by placing chips (representing money) into the pot. One player, designated by the rules of the particular poker variant being played, has the privilege or obligation to make the first bet in each betting interval. Other players can raise or fold their hands. Some games allow a player to check, meaning they will not place any chips into the pot but must wait for their turn to bet again.
The object of the game is to have a better hand than your opponent. A poker hand consists of five cards and is ranked according to its mathematical frequency – the more rare the combination, the higher the hand rank. Poker is a game of chance, but most successful players understand that long term results are based on skill. They learn game theory, psychology and apply this knowledge to their play.
Poker became popular early in the 21st century as a spectator sport, with tournament broadcasts drawing large audiences. The invention of the hole-card camera allowed viewers to see the cards each player was holding, increasing drama and excitement. In addition, the development of internet poker and online gambling increased the availability of poker to more people than ever before. There are hundreds of different poker variations, but all share similar game play elements.