Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players. Its rules vary depending on the variant being played, but all involve betting intervals during which each player can choose to raise or fold their hand. The winning player takes all the bets in the pot or, if there are no bets, their own original stake (a buy-in).

In most games, each player starts with three cards. The value of the hand is determined by comparing the value of each individual card to the mathematical frequency of the combination of those cards. A player may also bluff, hoping to win by intimidating other players into calling their bet. Players often use tells, such as body language and the tone and manner of their voice, to determine whether a player is bluffing or has a strong hand.

Depending on the rules of the variant being played, a player must place a certain amount of money into the pot before they are dealt their cards. These are known as forced bets or blind bets and they can either replace the ante or be placed in addition to it.

Once the betting has been completed, the players reveal their hands clockwise around the table. The player with the best 5-card hand wins the round and all of the money that was put down as a buy-in. Sometimes a player will win a round even though they do not have the best hand; this is known as a draw.