Poker is a card game that involves chance, but also has significant strategic elements. Players make decisions in poker based on probability, psychology and game theory. While the outcome of any hand of poker may include a large element of luck, over time the best players will win.
The game begins with one or more forced bets, usually an ante and a blind bet. The dealer shuffles, then deals each player a number of cards face up or down, depending on the game variant. After the initial deal, each player makes a decision to either call (put chips into the pot equal to or greater than the amount raised by the preceding player) or raise. A player can also choose to drop (discard their hand and leave the table) if they do not want to compete for the pot.
In addition to betting, players can bluff by making a bet that they have a superior hand when they do not. This can force other players to call or concede their inferior hands, which allows a player with a strong hand to win the pot.
Poker is a game that is played socially, for pennies or matchsticks, as well as professionally, for thousands of dollars. The rules of poker are the same worldwide, although some regional variations exist. Throughout history, poker has been used for games of chance, wagering, and even as a form of diplomacy. In the twentieth century, it became an internationally recognized game with tournaments and television shows.
