Poker is a game of chance and skill. It requires an ante, which varies depending on the game, and a bet into the pot (the center). The highest hand wins the pot, and betting proceeds clockwise. During a hand, a player can either raise his initial bet or fold his hand. The latter is the best course of action, as it reduces the risk of losing the pot.

To be considered a winner of a hand, you must have two pairs and at least one high card. If there are more than two pairs, the player with the higher card wins. If there are no pairs, the game is a tie. If more than one player has a pair, or a high hand of the same type, then the higher card wins.

In poker, a pair is a combination of two cards of the same rank. The higher the pair, the better. Pairs are also determined by whether they have kickers or not. The highest single card in the hand is a high card. A hand with five cards of the same rank is known as a flush.

A player may check a hand if he does not wish to bet. If he does, he must either call the bet made by another player or raise his own bet. This tactic is known as sandbagging, and it is legal unless prohibited by the rules.