Poker is a family of card games with a variety of variants that can be played in casinos, private homes and online. It is typically played using a standard deck of cards, but there are many variations that use different deck configurations, betting intervals and other rules. While the game is a worldwide phenomenon, North American audiences dominate the sport. In addition to being a popular spectator sport, poker is the most popular card game in the United States and is widely played in the casino industry.

Poker may be played with as few as one or as many as nine players. Players place bets in order to develop their poker hand and wager over the best hand according to the rules of the game. The game can be a simple one-round affair, or a multi-round tournament. Some of the more common games include draw poker and seven-card stud. Several betting intervals may be played before a showdown, when the hands of all active players are revealed. Depending on the game, the pot can be won by the highest hand or by the lowest hand.

During a draw, each player is given a card face-up, and the player can either discard the card or raise a bet. Typically, this is the shortest betting interval, and a complete hand is then dealt to each player. After the fourth round of betting, the hole cards are displayed.

Poker can be played with any number of players, but ideally, the maximum number of players is six or eight. A typical poker game awards the pot to the player with the best hand. Several variants of the game may be played with a fixed limit on the amount of money that can be bet or raised. For example, stud and draw poker usually require a minimum bet during the first betting interval. However, some games allow players to bet more than the maximum allowed.

There are several other betting intervals during a tournament. Each round begins with the dealer shuffles the deck. Normally, the house dealer is responsible for handling each hand, but if a player wishes to shuffle the deck himself, he can do so. Another form of poker, community card, was introduced around 1925. Community card is also played with a standard deck of 52 cards. If a player receives a jack, he is the first dealer. This role rotates among the players.

There are many variations of the game, all of which have some of the most important differences. For instance, while the minimum hand is generally considered the smallest, the ace is sometimes considered the lowest card in some variations. Likewise, there are no specific ranks for suits in poker. And while a straight is often considered the lowest possible hand, in some games it may be surpassed by other combinations, such as a flush.

Many of the nuances of the game vary from region to region. However, in general, poker has been a major sport in the United States since the early 19th century. In 2010, the International Mind Sports Association recognized poker as a mind sport.