Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. It can be found in almost every casino alongside the roulette wheels, blackjack tables and slot machines. Many people believe that it’s a game of pure luck, but in reality, it is very much a competitive skill game and in the long run the best players will win.

A hand of poker consists of five cards. It is dealt face down to each player. A forced bet is usually made by each player. The dealer shuffles the cards, then deals them to each player, starting with the chair on their right. When they are finished dealing, the dealer shuffles again and prepares for the next deal.

When it’s your turn to bet, you may raise the previous player’s bet by saying “raise” or “call.” A player who doesn’t wish to make a bet can say “drop,” or simply drop their cards into the dealer.

In some Poker variants, two packs of cards are used, instead of one. The dealer assembles the cards from the pack they just dealt, then shuffles them again before beginning another deal. When a hand is completed, the players show their hands and the highest one wins. Tie breakers include pairs, three of a kind, four of a kind, flushes and straights. If more than one hand has a pair, the higher rank of the pair is considered (e.g., a pair of kings beats a pair of queens). A high card also breaks ties.