Poker is a card game in which players make a hand by betting into the pot. The highest hand wins the pot. To play a hand you must first “ante” something (the amount varies by game, our games are typically a nickel). After the antes have been placed, the dealer deals each player three cards face down. Then, the players bet into the middle of the table. The player to the left of the button starts the action by posting the small blind. The player to the left of him posts the big blind. These “blinds” help keep the game profitable.

Once all the players have either matched the biggest raise or folded, the cards are flipped over and the players commence another round of betting called the “flop”. The top three cards on the remaining deck are then dealt face up to the players that advanced to the flop.

A winning hand is made up of five cards of consecutive rank, and must not contain a pair. Three of a kind is made up of three cards of the same rank and two matching cards of another rank. A flush is five cards of the same suit that skip around in rank. A straight is five cards in sequence, and must not include a pair.

The key to success in Poker is quick instincts. You need to be able to read players and determine their betting patterns. It is important to identify conservative players who tend to fold early and aggressive players who risk too much. Practice and watch experienced players to build up your instincts.