Poker is a card game where the goal is to form the best hand possible from two personal cards and five community cards. It is one of the oldest families of comparing card games, and there are many different variations.

The first stage in a game of poker is the deal, where all players are dealt two personal cards and five community cards. These are usually dealt face up, but may be dealt face down in some variants of poker.

After the deal, the first betting round begins. During this round, each player can make bets or raise existing ones.

Depending on the rules of the game, some players must place an initial amount in the pot (a forced bet), usually an ante or blind bet. Once the bet is made, all other players must call or fold.

In most variations of poker, each round consists of a flop, turn, and river. On the flop, each player can bet or fold, while each of the community cards is revealed.

As with other comparing card games, a standard poker hand comprises five cards and their rank is determined by odds (probability). The highest-ranking poker hand is the royal flush, which includes an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, or ten of the same suit, which can only be beaten by a straight flush of the same suit.

The second highest-ranking poker hand is the full house, which consists of three of a kind and a pair. These hands are generally considered the weakest of the poker hands, though they can also be difficult to beat.