Poker is a card game where the object is to win pots (money or chips) by taking part in rounds of betting. It has many different variants, each with slightly varying rules. However, all poker games involve being dealt cards and then betting over a series of rounds. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.

After the players have their hole cards there is a round of betting with the player to their left acting first. They have the option to call, raise or fold. The players can also ‘check’ which means they do not bet and their turn to act will come later in the hand.

Once this betting round has finished the dealer puts three cards face up on the table which everyone can use (known as community cards). There is another round of betting.

When the betting is done a fifth card is placed face up, known as the river. This is the final card in the hand and there’s one last chance to bet and win the pot.

The main thing to remember when playing poker is that you need to make the other players think you have a good hand by raising your bets and making them fold. You also need to look beyond your own cards and try to predict what other people might have in their hands so you can play your cards accordingly. This is known as reading your opponents and it’s a very important skill in poker.