Poker is a gambling game, played with a deck of cards. Players bet into the pot, which is in the center of the table. If nobody calls, the player with the highest card wins the pot.

There are several varieties of poker games, but the basic concept is the same. All players have five cards, and each player must use them to form the best hand.

In a tie, the highest card breaks the tie. In some games, the ace may be treated as the lowest card. The lowest possible hand is 7-5-4-3-2 in two or more suits. The high card is also used to break ties when more than one player has the same type of hand.

The highest ranked hand is the Straight Flush, and it starts with the highest card. It is sometimes used as the final showdown, if nobody has a better hand.

There are some other important poker rules, but they are more complicated. One of these is that each player’s turn to bet passes to the left.

Players may also bet the minimum amount of their stake. This is known as a “call.” Another way to increase your bet is to “raise,” adding more to your bet in front of you.

The dealer deals cards clockwise around the table. The dealer button is a white plastic disk. The dealer has the last right to shuffle. The last player to deal is considered to be the player with the best hand.