Poker is a card game in which players bet against each other and the highest hand wins. It is a form of gambling and a very popular social activity around the world.
There are many different variants of the game but they all share the same basic rules. One or more cards are dealt to each player and then the betting rounds begin. Each round involves raising and re-raising the amount of money that is being placed in the pot. The higher the hand, the more money that is won.
The game begins with one or more forced bets called the ante and/or blind bet. These bets are usually made by players to the left of the dealer. The dealer then shuffles the deck and deals each player a set number of cards, usually starting with the player to their left. The cards may be face up or down depending on the game.