Poker is a card game played between two or more players and involving betting. The highest ranking hand wins the pot. There are several variants of poker, each with its own rules and strategies. It is a card game that requires excellent mental control, as well as good memory and analytical skills.

A basic rule of poker is that you can only bet when you have a “live” hand. A live hand is a combination of your two personal cards and the five community cards on the table. When you have a premium opening hand, like a pair of Aces, Kings, or Queens, you should bet aggressively to take the initiative in the first round. This is how you establish dominance at a 6-max table.

Before the deal begins, one player is designated as the dealer, either by the rules of the particular game or by selecting the player clockwise to them. The initial dealer shuffles the cards and cuts them. Then he deals each player their cards, which may be face up or face down, depending on the game.

The next step is the flop, where you can bet again by placing your chips in the pot. You can also raise a bet or fold. A flop usually has one high card and three low cards. Ties are broken by the highest unmatched pair or, in some games, secondary pairs. Ties are also broken by a full house (three of a kind and a pair) or a straight flush (five consecutive cards of the same suit). You can also add extra cards to your hand.