Poker is a gambling game where players attempt to make the best hand possible. There are dozens of variations to this game. The basic rules are the same, but the amount of skill involved varies.

First, the cards are dealt face up. You will have two cards in your hand, and you can use one of them to make a bet. Alternatively, you can choose to fold or match the bet. If you choose to match the bet, you will make the same amount of money that you originally bet.

Next, you can discard up to three cards. However, you cannot do this if you have a pair. A pair is any set of cards that is equal to the other two. For example, a pair of aces is the lowest pair.

After that, the dealer will deal cards to each player, one at a time. This is usually done clockwise around the table.

In some poker games, the pot is split between the highest and the lowest hands. Each player can also choose to bet more or less than the amount of the previous player.

Once the betting round is over, the player with the best hand takes the pot. This is known as the showdown.

When a hand is tied, a high card breaks the tie. A tie is when more than one person has a pair, or when a group of people all have a pair.

A high card may be used to break the tie if a person has two pair or a single pair. Using the highest card, the person with the hand wins the pot.