Poker is an old-fashioned card game that was first played on riverboats. The game is based on the standard 52-card pack and can include jokers. The game is usually played with a single pack of cards, but in some variations, two packs of contrasting colors are used. The dealer deals from one pack, while the other is shuffled. The previous dealer puts the cards from the dealt pack to the left, then shuffles the cards and passes them on to the next dealer.

The best hand is a set of two distinct pairs of cards plus a fifth card. In ties, the highest pair wins. If no pair is present, the second highest pair wins. If more than one player has a pair of cards of the same kind, the high card will break the tie. The lowest pair is a pair of aces.

The object of the game is to win the pot, which represents the collective bets of the players. A poker hand with the highest value wins the “pot.” To win the “pot,” a player must bet as much as the previous player has bet. Typically, this happens if a player has the highest ranking poker hand, or when he raises his bet when no one else calls it.

Poker is a game of strategy, skill, and luck. There are many variations of the game. The best way to play them is to switch versions from time to time. Some of the funniest variations of the game include Strip Poker, which involves holding the cards behind your head.