Poker is a card game where players bet into a pot of money. The highest-ranking poker hand wins the pot. This is usually achieved through bluffing. There are several betting rounds. Players develop their hands between the rounds.

When you are ready to play, you post your small or big blind. You can also raise. If you raise, you must match the bet.

The dealer deals cards in clockwise order. You can either shuffle your own deck, or let the dealer do it.

You then have the option to check, bet, or fold. In the case of checking, you can see your cards and make a decision. You must keep your hole cards.

The dealer then cuts the deck. He has the last right to do so. However, you can bet the pot before he can do it.

Your initial bet can be up to twice the amount of the small or big blind. This is known as an opening raise. Normally, the player to your left posts the small blind.

Once the deck is cut, the player to your left becomes the first dealer. If he folds, his opponent will take over the role.

Another round of betting is done after the cards are discarded. Cards can be dealt face down, face up, or mixed.

Ties are broken by the high card. A high card breaks ties when two people have the same card, or if more than one person has a pair.