Poker is a game of cards, where players bet on the strength of their hand against other players. The goal is to form a winning hand based on the cards you have and the rank of those cards. The first player to do so wins the pot, which is the total of all the bets placed in a given round. Players must also pay attention to the way other players react to their hands, and make adjustments accordingly.

Many different variations of poker are played, and each has its own rules. One common feature is that players must place forced bets into a central pot before the game begins, known as an ante.

After the antes are made, the dealer shuffles and deals cards to each player, starting with the player on their left. Cards may be dealt face-up or face-down, depending on the variant of poker being played. Each player must then reveal their hand in order to begin betting.

After the flop, turn, and river are dealt, there is another round of betting. When it is your turn to bet, you can choose whether to call, raise, or fold. If you have a strong hand, it is often better to raise in order to force weaker hands out of the game. You can also bluff, which requires a combination of luck and skill. Good bluffing can often win you a pot, although it is important not to over-bluff.