Poker is a card game where players make bets. The goal is to maximize your winnings and minimize your losses. A player must bet during various betting intervals during each hand, and the game’s rules may require that a player put in an ante before being dealt any cards. In addition, the rules of Poker may require that players put in a pre-flop ante before being dealt any cards.

Poker is a game of chance, but betting adds skill and psychology to the game. While this basic primer on Poker will give you an overview of the rules, you should also read some books on the game. While reading a book will be more expensive, playing poker in a live group will provide you with more information about the rules.

The game has been played for centuries and has numerous versions. The original form of the game dates back to the 16th century. It was first played by Germans and later became known as “Pochen.” In the 1850s, the game expanded into America and was named after a French game, “Poque.” After the Civil War, the game was adapted to the American west. In addition, wild cards were introduced in the game. The game also evolved into lowball and split-pot poker.

Another poker variant is called a “gutshot,” which is a straight completed from the inside. For example, a player with pocket cards of 5 and 6 would have to get a 7 on the turn and a 6 on the river to complete the gutshot. In this variation, the player has only a 50 percent chance of hitting a gutshot.