Poker is a card game where players bet to win. In the short run, it involves a lot of luck, but in the long run, it’s a game of skill. The skills involve knowledge of probability, psychology, and game theory.

Each player has two personal cards (or “hole” cards) and five community cards on the table that are used to create a hand of five. The highest hand wins the pot. The highest possible hand is called a straight. If more than one hand has a straight, the highest card breaks the tie (five aces beats four kings, for instance).

The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the button. Depending on the game, the player may have to post a small or large blind bet. After the flop, the player can call or raise. If they call, their chips go into the pot. During the next betting round, players can fold or raise again. At the end of each betting round, all the raised and called bets are added to the pot.

The best way to improve at poker is to play with or against players much better than you. But it’s important to note that just playing with someone doesn’t automatically make you a better player. You have to actually learn from them and be able to understand their thought process. To do that, it helps if they’re willing to share their thoughts and strategy with you.