Poker is a card game in which players wager with money or chips on the outcome of a hand. It requires skill, strategy, and luck to win. Players can play the game socially for pennies or matchsticks, or professionally for thousands of dollars. There are many different versions of the game, and the rules vary significantly.
The game begins with 2 cards dealt to each player. There is then a round of betting that may or may not include mandatory bets put into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer, called blinds. Depending on the rules, the dealer then deals 1 more card to each player, face up, and there is another round of betting.
Once the final betting is over, players reveal their cards and the highest 5-card hand wins the pot. The players who did not fold can also choose to draw replacement cards for the ones in their hands, if desired (depending on the rules of the particular game).
It is important to communicate with your partner about how much time you want to spend playing poker. Then you can listen to their concerns and work together to find a compromise that works for both of you. For example, if they are concerned that you will be distracted from family or other responsibilities, then perhaps you can offer to take on those responsibilities in other instances. This will prevent your partner from feeling resentful about your time spent playing poker.