Poker is a card game that involves betting between two or more players. Depending on the rules of the game, players may be required to place an initial amount into the pot before they are dealt cards (these are called forced bets). Once all the players have placed their bets, the dealer deals everyone their cards. After the deal, each player has the option to call a bet, fold, or raise it.
Raising is a way of adding more money to the pot without having to call the last raise. A player who raises can only win the maximum amount that they have staked if they end up with the best hand. This is called a showdown.
The best hands are the ones that contain three matching cards of one rank and two matching cards of another rank. Straights are 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. Flush is 5 cards of the same suit that skip around in rank or sequence. A pair contains two matching cards of one rank and two unmatched cards.
The skill of poker is the ability to separate the known from the unknown, the controllable from the uncontrollable. This separation between the known and the unknown is a key aspect of life. No one can eliminate uncertainty, but we all need to learn to weigh risks against rewards to make the most of our opportunities. Having a good starting hand can get you further in poker, just as having a strong CV will get you further in an interview.