Poker is a card game that can be played by anyone. It is played in a casino, at a poker table, in private homes, or online.

The objective of poker is to make the best possible hand. Each hand consists of five cards. A straight is five consecutive cards, such as K-A-2–3, while a flush is five cards of the same suit. Ties are broken with the highest unmatched card.

Before the start of the first round, each player is required to contribute some amount of money to the pot. This is called the ante. In most cases, the ante is a very small bet, usually between $1 and $5.

After the initial ante, the dealer will deal two cards face up for each player. They are also allowed to shuffle and discard.

When a player sees a flop, he has the right to decide whether to call or fold. He is said to call if he thinks that his hand is better than his opponent’s, and he is said to fold if he doesn’t believe that his hand is good enough.

Once the initial bet is called, the next bet is made, and this is known as the turn. If the second bet matches the first, the second bet is called a raise.

During this time, the pot can be won by making a bet that no other player calls. Players who are betting on the same hand are said to be bluffing.