Poker is a family of card games that are played worldwide. The games vary in rules and deck size, but all have betting rounds that take place during the course of the game.

In most poker games, each player must put in a blind bet before being dealt cards. These bets are known as antes.

The ante bet is made before the player is dealt their first card, called their hole cards. These cards are private to each player and are not visible to the other players.

Once the first betting round is complete, the dealer deals three cards face-up on the board, known as the flop. The dealer then has the right to re-deal each card to any player who wishes to cut, allowing the last player to shuffle the pack.

Players must use these cards to make the best hand possible. There are several basic poker hands, and the highest hand wins if more than one person has it.

Straight, flush, and full house are the most common poker hands, but other hands are also possible. These include three of a kind, two pairs, and a high card that breaks ties.

When the flop comes, the player to the left of the dealer must make the first bet, and all the other players in turn must bet as well. If there is more than one player still in the hand, a showdown takes place to determine who wins.