Poker is a card game that’s fun to play and requires skill. It’s also a great way to learn about strategy and bluffing.

A player is dealt a hand of five cards and is given the option to bet before discarding or to fold. The goal of the game is to make the best possible hand using only your own cards and the other cards on the table.

There are several different forms of poker, some more popular than others. The most common form is Texas hold ’em, which is played by two players.

Straight: A complete hand is dealt to each player, face-down, and the betting intervals begin with the player closest to the dealer’s left. After each betting interval, players can discard up to three of their original cards and receive replacements from the undealt portion of the deck.

Draw: The same rules apply as in straight poker, with the addition of a draw in which each active player begins by discarding one or more of his original cards and receiving replacements from the deck. The draw is followed by a second betting interval and then a showdown, where the hand with the best combination of cards wins.

Flush: A hand of five cards in a single suit is called a flush. It is the highest hand.

High card: The highest card in a hand is considered the high card. It can be any card except for an ace.