Poker is a game of chance and skill, and is one of the most popular card games in the world. It is played in private homes, clubs, casinos and on the internet. The game involves a player making a bet on their best hand. However, the outcome is largely based on luck.

A 52-card pack is used in modern poker. The deck is usually shuffled by the house dealer. Cards are then dealt clockwise around the table.

A betting interval occurs after each round of dealing. Each player must put in a certain number of chips. This amount varies depending on the type of game. The players are required to raise or fold their bet.

A pot is the aggregate of all bets placed by all players during a deal. The best poker hand wins the pot. If the highest-ranking hand wins the pot, the showdown occurs. The players are then allowed to see their hands.

A side pot is awarded to a different player. When a player leaves the game, they forfeit their rights to the original pot. Alternatively, a player may drop out of a side pot and thereby lose their rights to the original pot.

In most poker variants, the players are required to make a forced bet. This can be a blind bet or an ante.

A no pair poker hand is a hand containing no consecutive cards. The lowest possible hand is a 6-4-3-2A. The next highest is a straight flush.