Poker is a card game in which players wager chips (representing money) against each other. Each player must place into the pot a number of chips at least equal to that placed by the player before him. If a player does not do this, or if he puts in more than is required to call, he must drop out of the betting and discard his hand until the next deal.
The game can be played by any number of players, although it is most often played with six to eight players. There are many forms of poker, but all involve betting in which the object is to win a pot (the aggregate amount bet by all players during one deal). The pot may be won by having the highest ranking poker hand, or by making a bet that no other player calls.
When you first start out playing poker you will lose a lot of money. However, this is necessary for you to learn the game and improve your skill level. You must also remember to keep records and pay taxes on your gambling income.
In a poker game there are five cards dealt to each player. A pair of Aces, a three of a kind, a straight and a flush can be made. A full house is a three of a kind and two unmatched cards. A high card is used to break ties. In most games the dealer does the shuffling and deals the cards in a clockwise direction.