Poker is a card game in which players compete to win the pot, which consists of all bets made during one deal. A player may win the pot by having a high hand or by bluffing against other players who do not have a high hand. Unlike many other casino games, poker is not inherently fair; it requires some skill to play well.
The rules of poker vary according to the variant played, but there is usually a mandatory ante bet and blind bet. After these forced bets, the dealer shuffles and deals cards to each player, beginning with the player on his right. The first player to the left of the dealer may cut the pack. Then, each player makes a bet in turn, with the player to his right raising if he wishes. If a player declines to raise, he is said to drop or fold and may no longer compete for the pot.
When a player raises, all other active players must match the amount raised. This is known as the equalization method. If a player chooses to stay in the pot, he may also raise it again. If he does not, he must check. If he wants to win the pot, he must make a bet of at least equal value to the last player who raised. He must also raise it if he wants to win the next betting interval. This is the only way to make a profit.