Poker is a card game that can be played by 2 or more players. The object of the game is to win a pot (a collection of bets made by players) by having the highest ranked poker hand or by making your opponents fold. Players can also bluff in order to force weaker hands out of the pot.
After the dealer deals everyone two cards, there is a round of betting. The first player to act (the player to the left of the button) has the option of checking, calling, raising or folding. When you raise, you place a higher amount of money (in chips or cash) into the pot than the player before you.
If you do not have a high value poker hand, it is often best to check and fold. This will save you money from having to continue betting into a bad hand until you have a good one. If you decide to call, you must place at least as much into the pot as the player before you (in a clockwise direction).
The highest poker hand is the royal flush. This consists of a 10, Jack, Queen, and King of the same suit, all in the same suit (clubs, hearts, or diamonds). The next highest is four of a kind. This consists of four cards of the same rank, but different suits (such as 4 aces and a 9). Finally, there is three of a kind.