Poker is a card game in which players bet chips (representing money) into a central pot during a series of betting intervals. Each player must place in the pot a number of chips that at least equals or exceeds the total contribution of the player before him. The player with the highest hand wins the pot.

Getting to know the players at your table is an important part of becoming a good poker player. Observe them, note their tendencies and patterns, and try to read them like you would any other person. It’s also essential to understand the basics of the game.

The game starts with players putting down ante bets (amount varies by game). Once enough players have contributed, the dealer shuffles and deals each player two cards, face down. These are the player’s hole cards. Then three more cards are dealt to the table, which are known as the flop. These are community cards that everyone can use to make their final five-card hand.

Once the flop is revealed, betting begins again. You can raise the amount you’re betting in a clockwise direction, or you can “check” and stay in your hand. If you say “raise,” the other players can choose to call your new bet, fold or add another bet of their own. Betting continues until everyone either calls your raise or folds, and the highest hand wins the pot.