Poker is a popular card game that is played internationally. It was first played in Germany around the 16th century. It was originally known as “Pochen,” which evolved into a French version, “Poque.” The game later traveled to the United States, where it was played on riverboats. In the early 20th century, poker became popular in the United States as a recreational sport.

The game of poker begins with a betting interval. The first player is “called” and is required to make a bet. After the first round of betting, the next two players must make bets equal to the previous bet. The final betting interval ends with the “showdown,” when the best hand wins the pot.

The betting rounds may have several phases. During each round, a player’s poker hand develops. The current bet is the total amount of money bet by the previous player. Players do not place their bets directly into the pot, but instead place them toward it until the round is over. The bets are then gathered into the pot.

Poker can be played with any number of players, but the ideal number is six to eight people. The player who makes the highest poker hand or makes a bet that no other player calls will win the pot.