Essentially, poker is a group game played by a group of players around a circular table. The object of the game is to get the best hand possible and the most chips in the pot. Various types of poker exist, ranging from the traditional card game to the internet based versions. There are several variants of the game, each focusing on different aspects of card-dealing, betting, and bluffing.

The most basic form of poker, no matter what variant you choose, involves cards that are dealt face down in a sequence. The initial dealer chooses a deck of cards to shuffle and deals them to players one at a time.

There are numerous variants of the game, and each has its own unique rules. The game can be played with a single player or with a group of up to seven players. Some versions of poker involve blind bets, where players place a fixed amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. The game can be played in a club, in private homes, or even over the internet.

In many cases, players must make forced bets. This could be as simple as a blind bet, or a ante, where players place money into the pot before the cards are dealt. This is usually the only time that players can place money into the pot.

Other games, such as draw poker, require players to place a ante into the pot before the cards are dealt. In some variations, there are side pots, where additional money is bet by remaining players.