Poker is a card game in which players make bets in turn by placing chips or cash into a central pot. The object of the game is to win the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand at the end of a series of betting rounds. There are many forms of poker, but most involve six or eight players and require an ante and/or blind bet.
After each player has received their cards, the dealer shuffles the deck and cuts it (or offers it to the player on the right of the button for cutting). Then the cards are dealt in rotation one at a time, starting with the player to the left of the button. The player with the highest-ranking card takes the button in the next betting round, and so on.
When it is your turn to bet, you can say “call” to match the amount of the last raise and place your bet in the pot. You can also say “raise” to increase the amount of your bet.
Try to observe the betting patterns of your opponents and determine their level of skill. Conservative players often fold early in the hand, while aggressive players tend to bet high before seeing their own cards. Identifying these traits can help you avoid making costly mistakes at the table.