Official poker, as played in the casinos, clubs and home games, is a card game of chance with betting options that include calling, raising or folding. Players compete for a pot of chips (representing money) contributed by the player and other players who play the same hand. Typically, each player must place chips in the pot equal to or at least as large as the total contribution made by the player who has the privilege or obligation to make the first bet (called “raising”).

A standard 52-card pack, sometimes with additional jokers, is used in most games. Cards are ranked in order of high to low: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10. Each player’s hand must consist of five cards. The highest poker hand wins.

In tournaments and club games, a professional dealer, designated by a round disc (called the “dealer button”) passed clockwise each deal, acts as nominal dealer for betting purposes. A professional dealer also performs these duties in casinos and other gambling establishments. In many cases, the dealers are paid an hourly rental fee for their seats or charged a percentage of each pot (the “rake”).

The game has evolved from its earliest days when it was played socially and professionally for pennies or matchsticks to the current high stakes games. Although there is a lot of luck involved, the game requires a high degree of skill and knowledge of how other players might act and play their hands.