Poker is a card game in which players place chips (representing money) into a central pot. Each player has the opportunity to call, raise, or fold during one or more betting intervals in a hand. A winning hand is determined at the end of the last betting round when the cards are revealed. The player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot. Unlike some other casino games, poker involves significant skill in both the strategy used to play the hand and the ability to read the opponents.
Before the cards are dealt each player must contribute to the pot by placing an initial contribution, called the ante or blind bet. In some poker games this is done by putting a token known as the button in front of their seat; the button rotates clockwise among the players. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals each player, beginning with the player to their left.
Once the first round of betting is complete the dealer puts three additional cards on the table that anyone can use, these are known as community cards. The players now have another chance to bet, check or raise.
After the third round of betting is over the dealer puts a fifth card on the board that anyone can use. The final betting round is now taking place and the players can decide to check, raise or fold. If a player has the best five-card poker hand they win the pot.