Poker is a card game that involves betting among players who have cards in their hands. The goal is to have the highest ranked hand when everyone’s cards are revealed. The player who has the highest ranked hand wins all of the bets made during that particular round of betting. Historically, the game was played for cash or chips that represent money (as opposed to the current practice of using electronic chips).
Before a hand begins, two mandatory bets called blinds are placed into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. These bets help provide an incentive for players to play the hand.
Once each player has 2 hole cards, another card is dealt face up on the table. This card is called the flop. Then there is a second round of betting, with players being able to raise, call or fold.
After all of the players have a chance to raise, the community cards are revealed. Each player then combines their 2 personal cards with the 5 community cards to make a final best hand of five.
When it is your turn to bet, you can choose to either call the previous player’s bet (saying “call”) or raise it (“raising”). You must always announce what you are doing, although there are a few unspoken ways of communicating to fellow players as well.