Poker is a game of chance in which players use cards to try to make the best possible hand. The game is played by betting and raising money in a “pot.”

Poker can be played with any number of players, but the ideal number is six to eight. It is a popular casino game and has been the subject of many films and television shows.

The game starts with each player placing an ante, which is the amount of money they will bet in a single round. After that, the dealer deals two cards to each player and keeps them secret from other players.

Each player then must decide whether to fold, check or raise their bet. The player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot.

Some hands are more valued than others, and this is reflected in the rules of the game. For example, a pair of aces is ranked higher than a pair of jacks.

The best possible hand one can have at any point during the game is called the “nuts.” This hand is usually a suited high card, but it can be a pocket pair, two pairs, or three of a kind.

A hand of five cards in sequence is called a straight, while a flush is a set of five cards in the same suit. The top 10 hands are a pair of aces, three of a kind, two pairs, a straight flush, and a pair of high cards.