Despite the popularity of poker, the origins of the game are still debated. Some researchers believe it descends from the 17th century Persian game of As-Nas. However, recent scholarship disputes this hypothesis. In addition, the game is thought to have evolved from a variety of other European and North American games, including brelan and primero.

Poker is played in private homes, in casinos, and in poker clubs. Players are grouped around a circular table and play against others. The aim is to get the highest-ranked hand of cards. In a game, a hand is formed from a combination of five cards. The best hand is a five-card straight, but a straight can also be formed from four cards.

The first player to act is called the dealer. He is chosen by each player receiving a card from the shuffled deck. The dealer shuffles the deck, deals cards one at a time to the players, and cuts them.

After the initial round of dealing, the dealer has the last right to shuffle the deck. All but one player can fold during any of the betting phases.

The showdown occurs at the end of the betting round, when the remaining players reveal their hands. The winner of the pot is the player with the best hand. The showdown is only possible if there are callers during the last round of betting. If no callers are present, the pot is split evenly among the remaining players.