Poker is a card game in which players make bets by raising, calling or folding. The dealer deals each player and himself three cards face down. Depending on the game rules, the players may be required to place an initial amount of money into the pot before the hand begins, this is known as the ante.

If you have a strong poker hand, the best way to increase your chances of winning is to raise the pot size. This will force your opponents to fold, and it will also scare off any other players who are waiting for a draw that can beat your hand. Top players tend to “fast-play” their hands, which means that they will bet early and often.

Bluffing in poker is a great way to get your opponents to fold when you have a strong hand, but it can be dangerous if you overdo it. The key is to balance your bluffing with the strength of your opponent’s hand, the type of board and how much money you have in your stack.

The best position to play poker is on the button or in the seats directly to the right of it. This is because you will be acting last after the flop, turn and river, which means that you will have a good idea of what your opponents have.