Poker is a card game that involves betting. In a typical game, players bet a set amount of money, known as the ante, and then bet into a communal pot in the middle of the table. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. The betting process takes place in a clockwise fashion. Players have three options when betting, which are to fold, raise, or match another player’s bet.

When more than one player remains, the game is called a showdown. During this betting phase, the players reveal their hidden cards and evaluate their hands. The player with the best poker combination wins the pot. There are different kinds of hands, such as a straight flush, a pair of aces, or four of a kind.

There are many ways to win at poker, and you can learn to play it by learning a few basic rules. Poker is a game of chance, but you can also learn more about the psychology behind the game by reading books or playing with a group of players. While a book will give you a deeper understanding of the game, the real way to learn to play the game is to play with others.

To play poker, you will need to make a small ante. This will depend on the stakes of the game. In most cases, the ante is the minimum bet.