Poker is a card game that may be played with two to 14 players. The object of the game is to win the pot, the aggregate of all bets made during one deal. The pot is won either by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by making a bet that no other player calls. There are several different types of poker games, but they all share the same basic rules.
In most poker games, each player begins by buying in with a set amount of chips. These chips represent money, and are usually in denominations of five white chips, ten red chips, or twenty blue chips. Depending on the game, players may also be required to place an initial amount of money into the pot, called an ante or blinds.
There are several betting intervals in a hand of poker, depending on the game rules. During each betting interval, a player has the option of calling a bet (putting into the pot at least the amount that the player to his or her left called), raising a bet, or dropping out of the hand.
It’s important to learn how to read other players’ betting patterns. The more you practice and watch experienced players play, the quicker your instincts will develop. If you’re a beginner, try to avoid using complicated systems or tactics that are difficult to remember; instead focus on developing your intuition.