Poker is a game that requires some skill to play well. But it’s also a game that is based on chance, especially when it comes to betting. The best way to learn the game is by playing hands and observing others. This allows you to develop quick instincts. Once you’re able to do that, it’s important to understand the basic rules of poker.

You can say “call” to match the last person’s bet. This means that you will bet the same amount as them and put money into the pot. You can also say “raise” if you want to increase the amount that you bet. If you raise, the other players will have to either call or fold.

The highest hand wins the pot. This includes a full house (three cards of one rank plus two matching cards of another rank), a flush (5 consecutive cards of the same suit), three of a kind (3 cards of the same rank), and two pair (2 distinct pairs of cards). The high card also breaks ties.

Players can decide to create a special fund called the kitty. This fund pays for things like new decks of cards, drinks, and food. When the poker game ends, any chips in the kitty are divided evenly among the players who are still at the table. Players may not take their chips back from the kitty once they leave the table. This is not the case for other games of chance such as baccarat and roulette.