Poker is a card game where players try to make the best hand possible. Although there are various variations, all poker games involve a round of betting.

A poker hand is composed of five cards. The shortest possible hand is 6-4-3-2-A, and the lowest is 7-5-4-3-2 in two or more suits. In some games, the ace may be treated as the lowest card.

A straight is a sequence of five consecutive cards in the same suit. It is even rarer than a full house.

The showdown is the moment when the best poker hand is revealed. When it is, you can win the pot.

This is usually accomplished by making the highest possible bet. There are several different types of bets you can make, including a “blind” bet, which is an ante that the player has no idea what is in the pot.

Other types of bets include bluffing, where you make a bet and try to convince the other players that you have the better hand. Most of these strategies involve a lot of strategy. You might try to hide your higher value chips, move them closer to the center of the table, or count them.

Some poker games offer side pots. These are different pots won by different players. They can be won by a straight, a flush, or a hand of three of a kind.

Poker is a worldwide game. It can be played in private homes, clubs, casinos, and online.