The game of poker is played by one or more players and is governed by a set of rules. The object is to execute profitable actions (bet, raise or fold) based on the information at hand in order to maximize long-term profit. The divide between break-even beginner players and big time winners is often much smaller than people realize, and many of the small adjustments required to become a winner can be carried out in a very short period of time.

After a forced bet (usually the ante) is made, cards are dealt to each player in the hand, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer. Depending on the variant of poker being played, some of these cards may be dealt face-up while others may remain hidden from view. A betting round then commences, and each player can choose to call, raise or fold.

A player may also choose to draw replacement cards at this point, depending on the rules of the game being played.

When it is your turn to act, you must say “I call” if you want to place your bet into the pot the same amount as the last player. If the player to your right just raised, you must say “I call” or put a raise of at least the same amount into the pot. This is to avoid giving away any information about the strength of your hand, which could be a disadvantage for you later on.