During a game of poker, each player is dealt a hand of cards. The aim of the game is to have the best hand possible. This is accomplished by betting and showing the cards. The winner takes the pot.

In the beginning of a game, the players agree on a stake. The amount of the stake varies by the type of game played. The game is usually played by 5-7 people. However, in some games, the number of players can vary. The game is usually played with two decks of cards, which are of different colours.

Cards are dealt to players in a clockwise order. The player who sits to the left of the dealer button is the first to act. This is the player who will post the big blind.

The player who has the lowest card, but not the lowest pair, breaks ties. If there is a tie, the winner is the player who has the highest card. Similarly, if there is a tie for the highest pair, the winner is the person with the best pair.

Poker is a game of chance, but it does require skill and skill is gained through betting. The aim of the game is to bet until all the other players have folded. When the last round of betting has finished, the player who has the best hand wins the entire pot.

In some games, a player may use a wild card. A wild card is a card that can take any suit. Some poker games specify which wild cards are used. Other games allow a player to discard a number of cards.