Poker is a card game that involves betting between players. Winning money from a poker hand requires skill, knowledge of game theory and psychology, and the ability to read opponents. Although the outcome of any single hand significantly involves chance, a skilled player will win more often than one who does not.
A player wins a hand by capturing the pot, which consists of all bets placed during the poker hand. A player can also bluff in order to convince his opponents that he has the best hand and induce them to fold (abandon their hands). Knowing when to bet is an important part of the game, as it can result in winning more money.
When it is your turn to bet, you can say “call” to make a bet equal to the amount that was made by the last player. You can also raise your bet by saying “raise” to add more money to the pot. If you do raise your bet, you must match any other raised bet or else fold your hand.
The most common hand is a Straight, which consists of five cards in an uninterrupted order of suit. A Straight beats Three of a Kind and Two Pair. A Full House is another winning hand, consisting of four cards of the same rank and two matching cards. A Flush is another winning hand, consisting of five consecutive cards of the same suit. A Royal flush is a very rare combination of five consecutive high cards.