Poker is a card game in which players bet that their cards are better than those of their opponents. Players can win by calling or raising the bets of players with superior hands, or they may bluff and cause other players to call or fold. The game has many variations, but all involve betting.

There are several ways to win a poker hand, but the best is a straight flush, which beats any other five-card combination. Two identical hands tie and are divided equally; the highest unmatched cards break the ties (in the case of fours of a kind and threes of a kind, for example).

Each player begins the game with 2 hidden cards. There are two rounds of betting during each deal – the first round is called the flop, and the second round is the turn. The last card is then dealt face up in a showdown – the best poker hand wins the pot.

Poker is not only a social and entertaining game, but it has also become a serious pastime for some of the best minds in the world. Its underlying mathematics have led to the development of new theories in areas as diverse as computer science, decision making, and game theory.

The game’s rich mosaic of strategies and psychological nuances offers a treasure trove of metaphors for writers, whose craft requires them to read their audiences and create compelling narratives. Moreover, the game’s inherent unpredictability can mirror the twists and turns of a good story.