Whether you’re playing online or at your local poker table, poker is an exciting and enjoyable game to play. The goal is to make the best possible hand with your two cards and the other players’ cards.

Among the many variations of poker, Texas Hold’Em is the most common. It is played with a standard 52-card deck. The dealer will deal two cards to each player.

A player must then make a small bet, called the ante, and the big bet, called the big blind. A small bet is usually a dime, while the big bet is usually a dollar or more. Depending on the game, players may also have to put an ante into the pot.

The ante, big blind, and small blind all give players something to chase and are a great way to make the game more exciting for everyone. The rules vary by game, but the ante usually starts at $1 or $5.

During the game, a dealer will move around the table clockwise. The first dealer will deal two cards to each player. Each player will then see their full hand and decide whether to make a bet or to fold. The first player to call is the active player.

The best poker hand is a straight, which is five cards in a sequence. If there are more than one five of a kind, the highest card wins. A straight is a hand that contains a pair of different ranks, a pair of kings, and an ace.