Poker is a card game where the goal is to form the best five-card hand, using your cards and the betting actions of other players to win the pot at the end of each betting round. A successful poker hand must contain the highest ranking cards. Each player makes forced bets (called ante or blind bets) to enter the hand, and then they are dealt a number of cards that they can use to form their five-card hands. These cards are called community cards, and all the players share them.

After the initial forced bets are placed, a new round begins with each player placing an optional raise. The dealer then shuffles the cards, cuts the player on their chair to their right, and deals each player 2 cards face down. These are called their hole or pocket cards, and they are hidden from other players.

A Straight is a 5-card hand consisting of cards that skip around in rank but are all from the same suit. Three of a kind is a hand containing 3 cards of the same rank, such as three jacks or three sixes. Two pair is made up of 2 cards of the same rank, plus 2 other unmatched cards.

One of the key skills to success in poker is knowing when to fold. You should make well-timed folds when the odds are not in your favor to protect your bankroll, minimize losses and improve your overall profitability.