Poker is a card game that involves betting chips and requires both skill and chance. It can be played in a casino, at a home poker party, or even online. Despite the different variations, basic poker rules remain the same in most games. Players place an initial amount of money into the pot (also known as forced bets) before they receive their cards and then must decide whether to call, raise or fold.

The history of poker is full of rumours and apocryphal stories, but most believe that it was developed in the 17th century in Europe. Eventually it spread to America, where it is now a national card game and its play and jargon permeate the culture.

Typical games of poker involve two or more players. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, sometimes with one or two jokers. Unlike some other card games, in which one pack of cards is dealt each round, poker uses two packs of contrasting colors to speed up the dealing. While the first pack is being dealt, the second is shuffled and prepared for deal.

A player’s goal is to win the “pot,” which consists of all bets placed during a betting interval. This is done by having the highest-ranking hand at showdown. A player may also win multiple side pots in a single deal, depending on their bets and the strength of their opponents’ hands. To increase their chances of winning, poker players must learn to read other players’ behavior, such as tells (unconscious habits that reveal information about a player’s hand strength). They must also be aware of the odds and probabilities of making a particular hand.