A game of cards and chips, Poker has a variety of different variants, but they all share similar rules. Players are dealt two personal cards in their hands, plus five community cards on the table, and make bets according to the strength of their hand. The goal is to win the pot by having the best poker hand at the end of the betting round.

The dealer shuffles the deck, then deals the cards to each player one at a time, beginning with the player on their left. Depending on the rules of your game, these cards may be dealt face-up or face-down, and some of them may be replaced with new ones during or after the initial deal. Then the first of many betting rounds begins.

Once the players have all either matched the amount of the largest raise or folded, the top card on the deck is burnt (removed from play), and the next cards are placed face up in the middle of the table, known as the “flop”. The remaining cards are then shown to all players, starting with the player who placed the final bet.

It’s important for poker narrators to understand the basic rules and hand rankings, as well as the impact of position on how aggressively you should play your hands. You should also familiarize yourself with the strategy books available, as these will give you a better understanding of how winning players think about the game.