Poker is a card game in which players place chips (representing money) into a pot at the center of the table. The highest hand wins the pot. The game is fast-paced and each player has a limited number of chips to bet with. Players can call a bet, raise it or simply fold their hand.

Cards are dealt from a standard 52-card pack with four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs). The highest card in a hand is an Ace, while the lowest card is a three of spades. A poker hand consists of five cards and a player can win if his or her hand beats the other hands.

A dealer is required for each round of the game. The dealer is typically a non-player, but in some cases each player will take turns being the dealer. The dealer is responsible for shuffling the deck and dealing the cards to each player. The dealer is also usually responsible for keeping track of the amount of money each player has placed into the pot.

The best poker players are expert at reading their opponents. This involves analyzing facial expressions, body language and other cues. They are also skilled at bluffing and maximizing the value of their hands. This requires a strong understanding of probability and the ability to analyze their own cards. Poker became popular in the early 21st century as online poker and television broadcasts of major poker tournaments brought in large audiences.