Poker is a game of skill and chance. Its main objective is to win chips from your opponents. Several games can be played with a variety of rules and variations.

A standard deck of cards is used in most poker games. Each player receives seven cards. These cards may be dealt face down or face up. Once all the cards are dealt, the players reveal their hands. The best hand wins the pot. If a tie occurs, the high card breaks the tie.

To begin the game, each player has to put in a certain amount of money into the pot. This ante amount varies by the game.

When the first bet is made, the cards are dealt one at a time. During the draw phase, each player may choose to discard up to three cards. All other players must show their cards.

The next round begins with antes and blinds. After the draw phase, each player can choose to call or raise.

If all but one player folds on a round, the remaining player collects the pot. That player is called the active player. Some games allow forced bets, which are a blind bet. Others award the pot to the lowest hand.

In some variants, each player is allowed to use a wild card, which can substitute for any other card. They can also take any suit. Wild cards can be used to supplement a poor hand, if the player has a strong statistical lead.