Poker is a card game in which players place bets and form hands based on the ranking of cards. The highest hand wins the pot, which is the sum of all bets placed during one or more betting intervals. Players must place chips (representing money) into the pot before they can bet again. Each player must also maintain a minimum number of chips in the pot at all times.

In most poker games, the first player to act puts in a forced bet, known as the “ante.” Then the dealer shuffles and cuts the cards. Each player then receives their cards, either face-up or face-down, depending on the variant of poker being played. When a bet comes around to you, you may say “call” to match the previous player’s bet or raise it. If you call, you must place your raised bet in the pot before you can bet again.

A strong poker hand usually includes four of the same rank or three matching cards plus two unmatched cards. A flush contains five consecutive cards of the same suit. A full house contains three cards of the same rank and two matching cards of another rank. Two pairs consist of two cards of the same rank plus two unmatched cards.

You can also win poker by bluffing, which is the practice of pretending that you have a stronger hand than you actually do. It’s important to pay attention to your opponents’ tells to spot when they are bluffing. For example, shallow breathing, sighing, nostril flaring, blinking rapidly, and holding your breath are all classic tells that can indicate a bluff.