Poker is a game of chance played by a group of players around a circular table. The aim is to create the best possible hand using the five cards that are dealt to each player. The highest hand wins the pot.

The minimum required bet is usually $1 or $5. Depending on the stakes, a bettor can win the pot by making a large bet or bluffing his way to the top.

A poker game can be played with up to eight players. The most popular version is Texas Hold’Em. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Some games have added wild cards, which can take any suit.

In poker, a high card is used to break ties when multiple people have the same hand. For example, if all five players have a pair of aces, they are in for a rough time.

The ante is the smallest bet that can be placed before a round of betting begins. The pot is the aggregate of all bets made by all players in one deal. It is also the first chance for a player to show his hand.

The best possible hand is a combination of two pairs of distinct cards and a fifth card. Sometimes, straights are used as the final showdown.

Other variants are based on multiple packs. Aside from the standard 52 cards, some games have a variety of other card types.

The three-card brag is a popular gentleman’s game from the early American Revolution. It was a great way to pass the time.