Poker is a card game with an element of chance. However, when betting begins, the game becomes significantly more based on skill and psychology. The game is played with 2 to 14 players. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the aggregate sum of all bets made during a hand. This can be done by having the highest-ranking poker hand, or by making a bet that no other player calls.
In most cases, there are mandatory bets (called blinds) placed into the pot before players see their cards. These bets give players a reason to play the game and create a pot that can be won during each round.
Once each player has received their 2 hole cards, there is a round of betting that starts with the person to their left. Once the betting is complete, each player reveals their cards and then the final betting round commences. The player with the best hand wins the pot.
There are many different types of poker hands, but the highest ranking hand is a Royal Flush. This includes a 10 of one suit (clubs, diamonds, hearts, or spades) and the matching King and Queen of another suit. The next highest is a Straight. This consists of 5 consecutive cards of the same rank, but they may be from different suits. The third highest is a Pair. This consists of two cards of the same rank and three other unmatched cards. The high card breaks ties.