Poker is a card game that requires a good amount of skill, but also has a significant element of luck. Historically, the best players have used their intuition and experience to make decisions at the table, but modern professional players spend thousands of hours using computer simulations to optimize their strategy.
Players begin the round by putting in forced bets, called blinds, into the pot before they are dealt cards. The number and type of chips required vary depending on the game. Generally, each player has to place in at least one white chip to remain in the round. The player to the left of the dealer places in the first bet.
Once the betting is over, each player reveals their cards and the winner takes the pot. Players may choose to not reveal their hand, but they cannot win the pot. A player may also place additional money in the pot, forming side pots. Side pots are separate from the main pot and have their own odds of winning.
When it is your turn to play a hand, you say “call” if you want to match the last person’s raise. If you call, you must place your remaining chips or cash into the pot in order to stay in the round. You may also fold a hand if you have no interest in continuing to play it. If you say “check” and no other player raises since the last time your turn came up, you must check for the round to proceed.