Poker is a card game in which players wager money, either chips or cash, on the outcome of a hand. The game has been played in many cultures throughout history and continues to be a popular pastime and social activity. It has become one of the most popular games in the United States and is played in casinos, private homes, card clubs, and over the Internet.

The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the total sum of all bets placed in a single deal. This can be done by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by making a bet that no other player calls. A player may also bluff in poker, and this technique can be very profitable if used sparingly.

When it is your turn, you can say “call” to match the last player’s bet or “raise” to increase it. The other players can then choose to call your raise or fold.

The highest-ranking poker hand is a Royal Flush, which consists of a King, Queen, Jack, and Ace of the same suit in consecutive order. Other highly-ranked hands include a Straight (five cards in a sequence, but not in the same suit), Four of a Kind (four matching cards), Three of a Kind (three cards of the same rank), and Two Pair (two matching cards). The lowest-ranking poker hand is a High Card. In this hand, the player with the highest number/picture card wins.