A card game that involves betting and a lot of psychology. Poker is considered to be a game of chance, but when you add in the betting element it becomes more of a game of skill and manipulation. (This isn’t to say that there is no luck involved, just that it is less significant).

You start by putting in the ante (a small amount of money; amounts vary by game). Once you have done this you will be dealt cards. After the dealing is complete a round of betting takes place. During the betting round players are allowed to call, raise or fold.

Once the betting is over, the next step is to reveal three cards called a “flop”. These are community cards that anyone can use with their own two personal cards in order to make a poker hand of five cards.

A full house contains 3 matching cards of one rank plus 2 matching cards of another rank. A flush contains 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. A straight contains 5 cards that skip around in rank but are all of the same suit. Three of a kind is made up of three cards of the same rank. Two pair is made up of two cards of the same rank plus one unmatched card.

There are many other variations of poker but these basic rules are enough to get you started. If you want to expand your horizons and really learn the game, try reading some of the many books on poker strategy or start playing with a group of people who know the game well.