Poker is a card game in which the players make wagers using a deck of cards. The number of players can vary, but the ideal number is six to eight. Players compete for a pot that is the sum of all bets made by all players during one hand. The highest hand wins the pot. A player can win the pot if he or she has the best hand and is willing to bluff other players by betting that they have the best hand.
In poker, a hand with five cards in a row (including the ace) wins the pot. In some games, a straight may be high or low. If two players have a straight that is the same value, the highest straight wins. For example, AKQJT beats KQJT9 in a straight. If two players have two straights, they split the pot.
In poker, the lowest hand is a pair of five cards in a suit. An ace can also be considered the lowest hand, but only if it is a pair of aces. In other games, a pair of aces is a pair. If a player has two pairs, one will win the hand. If no one has a pair, they will lose the hand.
In some games, players must contribute money before the game begins. The amount of the ante will vary from game to game. Players then place their bets in the center pot and compete with the other players. The winner of the pot is the player with the best hand.