Poker is a game of cards and chips where players bet on their hands. There are many different variations of the game, but most share some common rules. The game requires skill and strategy to win. The goal is to have the best five card hand at the end of a round of betting. The game also tests your ability to take risks and weigh your options.

The game starts with all the players having their own stack of chips. The player to the left of the button has the first opportunity to act. The button moves around the table clockwise after each hand. Before any cards are dealt, the player to the left of the button must post (pay) a small blind and the player to the right of him must post a big blind. These are forced bets that help keep the game moving by giving players something to chase.

A poker hand consists of 5 cards of one rank or consecutive ranking from more than one suit. The highest hand is a Royal Flush, which contains all matching cards of the same rank. The second highest hand is a Straight, which contains five cards of consecutive rank from the same suit. The third highest hand is a Full House, which consists of three matching cards of one rank and two unmatched cards of another rank. The fourth highest hand is a Pair, which consists of two cards of the same rank plus three other unmatched cards.