Poker is a card game where players compete for a pot of money by betting on their hands. The player with the best hand wins the pot. The rules vary between games, but the most popular form is based on a card deal that distributes cards face down to each player, followed by a betting interval and a showdown.

Good poker etiquette requires you to be courteous and respectful of other players. It includes avoiding chatting while playing, which can distract others and give away information that could lead to better decisions.

Bad poker etiquette involves slow rolling or hiding your cards during the hand, which can give other players the impression that you are behind. It also includes bluffing, which is the act of making a flimsy or weak hand look good in order to deceive opponents into thinking that you have a strong hand.

1. Ante, All-in and Big Blind

A player must place a small amount of money into the pot before any cards are dealt, called the ante. This amount is usually a fixed sum, based on the stakes of the game.

2. Dealer button

The right to deal a hand is marked by a token, called the dealer button (or buck). The button passes clockwise around the table after each hand.

3. Bluffing

It is a common practice in poker to try to bluff other players into thinking that you have a strong hand. Several tells are used, including a smile or facial expression. Breathing shallowly, sighing, flaring nostrils or flushing red, or showing signs of nervousness are all classic bluffing signals.