Poker is a card game that requires skill and luck to win. It is played with cards and chips, and can be a cash or tournament game. It is also a popular spectator sport. Despite its popularity, there is much that you should know about poker before playing it for real money or in a tournament.

One of the most important aspects of poker is knowing how to read your opponents. This can be done through facial expressions, body language, and tells. It is also important to find the right games to play in. A good poker player will never play in a game that is too loose or too tight, and will always look for games that are suitable to their skills and bankroll.

When playing poker, each player “buys in” for a set amount of chips. These chips are usually white or light-colored, and represent money. A white chip is worth the minimum ante or bet; a red chip is worth five whites; and so on. Players may then bet, check, raise, or fold in accordance with the strategy of the game, adding chips to an ever-increasing pot.

When a player makes a bet, they must say the word “raise” before increasing their bet amount. This will alert the other players to their intentions. A raise should be in proportion to the previous bet. A raise should not exceed the total value of the chips in the pot.