Poker is a card game in which two to seven players compete against each other, wagering a fixed amount of money. The game consists of betting rounds in which players may raise, call or fold. The pot is won by the player with the best hand. The game is played with a standard 52-card English deck, and cards are arranged in order of highest to lowest rank: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three and Deuce. It is often augmented by the use of wild cards.

The most common poker variant is Texas Hold ‘em. In this form, each player is dealt two private cards called hole cards, and then five community cards are dealt face up in stages, the first being the flop, then a second community card known as the turn, and finally the fifth and final community card – the river. The first betting round begins when the flop is revealed and continues until all players either check or decide to raise.

When you’re holding a premium opening hand, such as pocket kings or queens, you should bet aggressively. However, be careful of getting too attached to your hands. An ace on the flop can spell trouble for even strong hands such as a pair of kings or queens, especially if the board is loaded with flush and straight cards. Advanced players consider the opponent’s entire range of hands when making their decisions.