Poker is a card game played with a group of players. It involves betting, and a high degree of skill and psychology. It is generally regarded as the most popular card game in the world. It has a long and varied history.

A poker hand consists of five cards. The value of a hand is in inverse proportion to its mathematical frequency; the rarer the combination, the higher the hand rank. Players may bet that they hold the best hand, and other players must either call the bet or concede that they hold a lesser one. Players also use bluffing to gain an advantage.

During the American Civil War, the game spread to England. The rules were slightly altered, with the addition of a fifth card and the introduction of the flush. In England, the game became a popular pastime among military men on weekend retreats to country homes.

Before the cards are dealt, each player puts an amount into the pot, called the ante or blinds. This amount must be at least equal to the bet of the last player.

The ante is usually made in low denomination chips. Once the antes are placed, each player receives 5 cards. The goal is to make the best poker hand using your two personal cards and the five community cards. The highest hand wins the pot. Ties are broken by the high card, which is any card above a pair.