Poker is a card game that involves betting. The goal of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made in one deal. The game can be played with any number of players, although 6–8 is ideal. The game is usually played with a standard 53-card deck, except for the joker (which does not count as an ace and can only be used to complete a flush or certain special hands) and the four deuces (2s).

When playing poker, the ability to read your opponents’ range of possible hands is essential. This allows you to make more informed decisions about how to play your hand. Advanced players will try to anticipate their opponent’s range and determine the best way to play their own hand in relation to it. Beginners often put out only a single hand because they want to act on their gut feelings, but the more you study the game the better you will be at reading your opponents’ range and making the correct decisions.

In most forms of the game, players must make forced bets (called “ante” or “blind”) before they are dealt cards. After the first round of betting, players may discard up to three cards and receive new ones from the top of the deck. Once all bets are placed, a showdown takes place and the player with the best hand wins the pot. Players can also voluntarily place additional money into the pot for strategic reasons, such as to increase their expected return on a bet.