Poker is a card game in which players wager money on the outcome of a hand. The highest-ranking hand wins the pot, which is typically shared amongst the winning players in some way. Like any gambling game, Poker requires a certain amount of luck (which is the reason why so many people play it), but it also relies on skill and good judgement.

To begin a round of betting, a player must ‘ante’ some number of chips into the middle of the table (the amount varies by game). After this, each player is dealt 2 cards face down. Each player then has the option to call, raise or fold. If a player calls, they must put the same amount of money into the pot as the person who raised before them. If they raise, they must put in more than the amount required to call. If they fold, they forfeit any money that they have already bet in that round.

In addition to the knowledge of the rules of the game, a successful poker player must be able to read the other players at the table. This involves examining the non-verbal cues known as tells, which are indicators of the other players’ intentions and their chances of making a strong hand. This is why poker is so popular with both amateur and professional players.