Generally, poker is played with a standard pack of 52 cards. Some games are also played with jokers and wild cards. These are cards that can take any suit. The goal of the game is to make the best hand possible.

The first step in playing a poker game is to select an initial dealer. The initial dealer will shuffle the deck and advance the steps of play.

The best poker hand is a five-card hand, made up of two distinct pairs plus a fifth card. The highest-ranking card remaining in the deck is the kicker. The bluff is to convince other players that you have the best hand.

During a betting interval, each player can bet or fold. When a player antes up, he or she places a small amount of money into the pot. The betting continues until everyone folds. The winner is the one with the best hand.

The high card breaks ties. Ties are broken when several people tie for the highest card.

The smallest bet is the ante, a nickel in most cases. The smallest ante is the minimum required to play a game of poker. This is based on the amount of the game.

There are four types of poker. These include draw, stud, poker for two and poker for four. There are many variations of each type. The basic rules are the same for each, but some have more complicated rules. Often, a single version of the game is organized for eight or more players.