Poker is a card game played by two or more players and involves betting. It is a skill-based game, but luck plays a significant role as well, especially at the beginning of a hand when information is not fully known. Over time, however, skill will minimize the effect of luck.

Players must commit resources before they know all the facts, so they must be careful about how much they invest. Players may also bluff by betting that they have a good hand when they do not. In this way, they try to force other players to call their bets with a weaker one.

After the first round of betting, 3 cards are dealt face up. This is called the flop. Players can then exchange the cards in their hands for new ones if they wish.

Once everyone has their new cards, another round of betting starts. At this stage, a player who holds a strong hand can make a bet that will force the other players to fold and leave them with no chance of winning.

The best five-card poker hand wins the pot. This includes the total amount of bets made at each round of betting, as well as any side pots that may have been won by other players. If a player has a poker hand and nobody calls their bet, they take their winnings without showing their cards and the next hand is dealt out. If they do show their cards, they will have to share the winnings.