Poker is a card game in which players wager money on the outcome of a hand. The game can be played by two to 14 people, although there are only a few variants that are commonly played with more than eight people. The object of the game is to win a pot, which is the total sum of all bets placed during one deal. The pot may be won by having the highest ranking poker hand, or by bluffing and making other players call your bets.

Each player is dealt a set number of cards, which are either face-up or face-down, depending on the game variant. The player to the left of the dealer places an initial bet, called an ante or blind bet. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals them to each player, one at a time. The player then has the option to call, raise, or fold his or her cards.

If a player calls the bet of another player, they must place chips in the pot equal to or higher than that amount. They may also raise their bet by an additional amount. When a player raises, they must continue raising until everyone has folded or there is only one caller. A player can call or raise the bet at any point during a betting round.

When a player has a strong poker hand, such as a pair of pocket kings, it’s important to play aggressively. However, if an ace appears on the flop it can spell doom for your hands if you don’t have a high enough hand to beat it. This is why it’s important to learn how to read your opponents.

You can tell if someone is conservative by their betting pattern. They will usually only call when their hand is good. Aggressive players are risk-takers and often make big bets early in a hand before seeing how other players react to their cards. If you know how to read these players you can often bluff them into folding.

Once the players have all acted on their hands, a series of betting intervals begins. During each interval, one player has the privilege or obligation to make the first bet. Players may choose to call this bet, raise it by an additional amount, or fold their cards and exit the game. When a player chooses to fold, they must drop out of any side pots and forfeit their rights in the main pot to any later bettors.

It’s a good idea to start out with a low stakes game and observe the other players’ tendencies. If you notice that the other players are playing too many hands, it’s a good idea to open your hand range and mix things up. This will help you improve your winning rate and gain confidence in your abilities. Remember that in poker, as in life, it’s not about being the best, it’s about outweighing your opponent’s chances of winning.