Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. It has a long history and is played in many different countries and languages. Today it is a multi-billion dollar industry and continues to grow rapidly. The game of poker is a fun and social way to pass the time, and can be played by people of all ages.

During a hand of poker, players are dealt two hole cards followed by a betting round. Three community cards, called the flop, are then dealt followed by another betting round. The final community card, called the river, is then dealt followed by a fourth and final betting round. After all betting is completed, the remaining players who have not folded expose their hole cards for a showdown to determine a winner according to official poker hand rankings.

Rules of poker are set by the house and are usually agreed upon by all players at the table. These rules are intended to ensure the fairness of the game and make sure that all players have an equal opportunity to win the pot. For example, some rules prohibit showing a hand to other players or discussing strategy with them. Another important rule is mucking. Players should only muck their cards when they have no action pending, not after the hand is over.

It is also common for a group of players to agree on their own set of rules for the game, which are known as house rules. These rules should be written down and referred to when disputes arise.