Poker is a card game in which players wager on the relative strength of their hands. Although luck is a factor in any card game, over time and with the application of skill, poker players can eliminate a lot of the variance of chance. There are many different forms of poker, and the rules vary by game. Some games use a standard 52-card deck while others use stripped cards with certain cards removed, such as the deuces and treys. Some poker games require one or more players to put an initial contribution into the pot, known as an ante.

The individual who is responsible for dealing players’ hole cards and community cards during a hand, as well as managing the pot and bets made by players throughout a hand, is called a poker dealer. Whether this responsibility shifts from player to player in home games, or is taken on by a single person for poker rooms and casinos, the role is essential in order for gameplay to flow smoothly from one hand to the next.

Once all players have received their two hole cards, a round of betting begins. Then the fifth and final card is dealt face up – this is known as the river. One final round of betting takes place, and the player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. Depending on the rules of the particular game, the winning poker hand may be a straight or a flush.