Poker is a card game involving betting on the value of a hand, combining strategy, skill, and chance. Players aim to win the central pot either by having the best hand at the end or by causing others to fold. Bluffing is a key tactic where players bet strongly on weak hands to pressure opponents. While dealt cards are random, skilled players use strategy and psychology to improve their long-term results. 

A standard 52-card deck is typically used, with a hand consisting of five cards. In games like Texas Hold'em, players combine private and shared cards to form their best hand. The game involves betting rounds where players can Bet, Call, Raise, Check, or Fold. 

Common poker hand rankings, from highest to lowest, include Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. 

Texas Hold'em is a widely played poker variant. It proceeds through betting rounds with players using two private "hole cards" and five shared "community cards". The game starts with mandatory "blind" bets. Cards are dealt (pre-flop), followed by betting. Three community cards are revealed ("the flop"), then a fourth ("the turn"), and finally a fifth ("the river"), each followed by a betting round. If multiple players remain, they reveal their hands in the "showdown" to determine the winner. 

Playing poker involves several rounds of betting and strategy, with the goal of winning the pot by having the best hand or convincing others to fold. The most popular version is Texas Hold'em, which uses a standard 52-card deck and a combination of "hole" and "community" cards.  The objective To win the "pot" (the total money bet in a hand), you can either have the best five-card hand at the end or bluff your opponents into folding.  Basic poker terminology Bet: Placing chips into the pot. Call: Matching the current bet. Raise: Increasing the current bet. Fold: Giving up your hand and forfeiting your chips for that round. Check: Passing the action to the next player without placing a bet (only possible if no one has bet yet). Blinds: Forced bets made by two players to the left of the dealer to start the pot. There is a small blind and a big blind. Community Cards: Five cards dealt face-up in the middle of the table that all players can use. Hole Cards: The two face-down cards dealt to each player.  How a hand of Texas Hold'em works 1. Pre-flop The dealer deals two "hole cards" face down to each player. The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind. You can call, raise, or fold.  2. The flop The dealer places three community cards face-up on the table. Another round of betting occurs, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.  3. The turn A fourth community card is dealt face-up. A third round of betting takes place.  4. The river The final (fifth) community card is dealt face-up. The last round of betting begins.  5. The showdown If more than one player remains, they reveal their cards. Players use their two hole cards and the five community cards to make the best possible five-card hand. The player with the best hand wins the pot.  Poker hand rankings You need to know the hierarchy of hands from highest to lowest. Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit. Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank. Full House: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another. Flush: Five cards of the same suit. Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank. Two Pair: Two cards of one rank and two cards of another. One Pair: Two cards of the same rank. High Card: The highest card in your hand when you have no other combination.