Typically, poker is played with a group of people seated around a table. They will have five cards and the goal is to make the highest hand possible. The winner wins all the chips in the pot.

Before the cards are dealt, each player must make a small bet called the ante. This is generally $1 or $5. This is the “buy in bet” for the round and gives the pot a value immediately.

Once the cards are dealt, the dealer will shuffle the deck. The first player to receive a card from the shuffled pack will be the initial dealer. The initial dealer must then shuffle the deck and offer the shuffled pack to the next player in turn.

When all the players have checked, the next betting interval begins. The initial dealer now has the option to shuffle or pass all the cards to the left in rotation.

If the dealer chooses to pass all the cards, each player will then have two cards in their hand. The dealer may then offer the shuffled deck to the remaining players for cut. If the player chooses to pass, he may also shuffle the deck.

After the third betting interval, the players have one more round of dealing. Each player is given a card faceup. The player who has the best hand is the winner. The player who has the lowest hand is the loser.

After the fourth and final betting round, the dealer will show the hole cards. The hole cards are the cards in your hand that are not part of the community cards.