Poker is a card game in which players wager chips according to the value of their hands. The game was developed in the 16th century and is considered an ancestor of other modern card games. Poker is one of the most popular casino games and is played in many countries.

In a typical poker game, each player places an initial forced bet (called antes) into the pot before being dealt cards. Each player then has the option to call, raise or drop out of a hand. The player who puts the most chips into the pot wins the hand. A player may also place chips into various side pots as well.

Once all players have received their 2 hidden cards (called hole or pocket cards), there is a final betting phase. This is when the players reveal their hands to determine who has the best 5-card hand.

The winner of the poker hand receives all the chips at the table. Depending on the rules of the game, this money is then shared amongst the winning players in a certain way. In many cases, this is done by creating a side pot for each player. This allows players to win multiple times during the same hand and creates a greater incentive to play the game.