Poker is a card game with several variants, played in groups of two or more players who wager chips (representing money) on the outcome of a hand. The goal is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets in a single deal. The game is fast-paced, and the players can raise or check their bets. The cards are dealt face up and the turn to act passes clockwise around the table.
A standard 52-card pack is used in most games, except that the joker counts only as a fifth ace and does not count as one of the cards required for a flush (a series of five matching cards) or a straight (a series of four cards of the same suit). Deuces (2s) are wild. Some games use a special card called the bug, which also counts as a fifth ace and may be used to fill out certain special hands.
A player with a strong poker hand wins the pot. Ties are broken by the highest unmatched pair or secondary pairs (in a full house, for example). Poker is considered a casino game, although it can be played in informal settings such as social gatherings. A high level of skill and good bluffing are required to win at poker. A person can bet a large amount of money in short amounts of time, so it is important for the game to be played responsibly. By mutual agreement, a fund known as the kitty may be established. Chips that make up this sum are taken into consideration when raising, and any chips in the kitty at the end of the game are shared equally among the players who remain active in it.
