Poker is a card game that can be played with many different players. The basic goal is to develop the highest-ranking poker hand. This is usually achieved by betting into the pot. Depending on the game, a player may make a number of rounds of betting. If no other player calls, the pot is won.

The player who has the highest-ranking combination, called the first bettor, has the obligation to make the first bet. After a certain amount of betting, other players can call or raise. The amount of a raise and the minimum ante are typically determined by the stakes of the game.

During the initial rounds of the game, each player is dealt one card. After the cards are all laid out, a betting interval occurs. The bettor’s next turn is to either call, raise, or fold.

A player’s first bet may be to the minimum ante or to the big bet. The ante is the amount of money a player must have before he can bet into the pot. The small blind is half of the ante.

A flush is when all five cards in a hand are from the same suit. If two players have a flush, the highest card is the one that wins.

A straight is when two or more players have a straight. The highest card in a straight is the one that breaks ties.

Four of a kind is when a player has four cards of the same rank. A straight flush is when all five cards are in the same suit.