Poker is a card game in which players make wagers (called chips) against one another based on the cards they have been dealt. The object of the game is to win a pot, which is the aggregate of all bets made in a single deal. The pot may be won by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by making a bet that no other player calls. There are many different forms of poker, but the game generally involves 6 or 7 players. The game is primarily played with cards, but some variants use other objects such as beans or dice.

The game begins with two mandatory bets called blinds, which are placed into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. This ensures that there is a pot to compete for, and therefore a reason to play. Each player then receives two hole cards. A round of betting then takes place, with each player being able to call, check or fold.

A standard pack of 52 cards is used, plus a joker (or wild card) which can be ranked as high or low, or can fill out certain types of hands such as a flush, straight or even the elusive one-eyed jack. Some games also have additional rules governing the number of wild cards that can be used, or what type of card counts as a wild one.

Professional poker players use their skills in probability, statistics and psychology to exploit opponents, maximize their winnings and minimize losses from losing hands. They must balance their aggression with their risk tolerance and the chances of getting a strong hand. They must also make adjustments based on the information that is available to them.