Poker is a card game of chance and skill, in which players wager against one another and try to make the best possible hand. It is played worldwide, in casinos, private games, and online. It has become an American cultural icon, with its rules, jargon, and history thoroughly woven into the fabric of modern life.
In most forms, each player places a forced bet—called the ante or blind bet—before being dealt cards. Players can then choose to call, raise, or fold. When the players show their hands, the highest hand wins the pot of money. The best possible hands are made up of three or more matching cards of the same rank, four or more consecutive cards of the same suit, or five cards of the same suit in a straight or flush.
Many mechanisms allow players to strategically misinform their opponents about the value of their hands. For example, a strong hand may be signaled by placing small bets to keep the pot growing, or large bets may be used to intimidate weaker hands into folding before the showdown.
The popularity of poker has led to an enormous amount of research into the game’s rules and strategy. In addition, the game has inspired a wide variety of literary works, including novels, poetry, and nonfiction. The success of poker has also helped to foster an economy that has attracted amateur players in huge numbers who invest a fraction of their incomes, financing the comparatively few top-level professionals.