Poker is a card game that is played in private homes or casinos throughout the world. It can be played with any number of players. The main goal of poker is to produce the best hand possible.

Players may choose to play a passive or aggressive style. When a player plays passively, they use different hands from the ones they would when they are aggressive.

Poker is played in private homes and casinos, but it has also been popular in American culture. It has been called the national card game of the United States.

To begin a game of poker, the player to the left of the dealer button posts a small blind. The remaining player posts a big blind. Once all the players have acted, the dealer deals the cards. Cards are usually dealt face down or face up, depending on the type of game being played.

Each player is dealt two cards. After the cards are dealt, each player has the option to bet or fold. If a player folds, he or she discards their hand and no longer has a chance to compete in the pot.

If a player raises or calls, he or she can use a single card from their hand. They can also bet or raise the current open bet.

Poker players often talk about their ranges. These ranges are strands of possible combinations that are discussed verbally or written down. A percentage form is used to indicate how many of the possible starting hands a player selects.