Poker is a card game that can be played by two to seven players. It is played with a standard 52-card English deck that includes one or more jokers (or wild cards) if desired. The game is a betting game, and the object is to win the pot, or all bets made in one hand. There are many variations of the game, but most involve dealing each player a set number of cards and then betting around the table.

The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot. If no player has a high enough hand, the pot is split among the players who did not fold. Players may also “raise” in a betting round to increase the amount of money they are risking. This can be done by putting in a single unit of chips or raising the value of each bet they make.

Unlike some other card games, poker involves bluffing and requires players to weigh their chances of winning against the probabilities of losing. This decision-making skill can be applied to other areas of life, including business and personal relationships. In addition, the game can help hone mathematical skills such as probability and statistics.