Typically, a game of poker begins with each player dealt two cards, face down. These are known as hole cards. After the hole cards have been dealt, the first round of betting begins. During this round, players can either fold, call (raise the amount of money that has been bet), or raise (add more money to the pot). After the betting round is complete, three cards, communal, are dealt face up in the middle of the table. These cards are known as the flop.
A second round of betting ensues, and then a fourth card, known as the turn, is dealt face up. Once the turn card is dealt, a third round of betting begins. After the third round of betting is complete, the fifth and final card, known as the river, is dealt face up. Following the river, a fourth and final round of betting will begin. After the final round of betting, the remaining players will lay out their hole cards and whoever has the best combination of hole cards and the communal cards will win the pot.