Poker is a card game that involves betting and requires a high level of skill. A bet is a commitment of resources that will not be returned until all the information about the hand is known. The game can be quite complex, but the basic rules are easy to understand. It is played by individuals or in groups of two to six players.

The game is fast-paced and players must make quick decisions in order to maximize their potential returns on investment. The ability to read opponents and know when bluffing is appropriate is essential. In addition, players must be able to choose the proper limits and game variations for their bankrolls.

Once each player has 2 hole cards, there is a round of betting that begins with the player to the left of the dealer. The amount of the bet is determined by the number of chips each player has and how much they want to put into the pot. Players may “call” the bet by putting in the same number of chips as the player to their left or they may raise it, meaning that they will put in more than the previous player did.

A full house contains 3 matching cards of one rank, while a straight contains 5 cards that skip around in rank but are all from the same suit. A flush contains 5 cards of consecutive rank but from more than one suit. The highest hand wins ties.