Poker is a card game where you have to use both your luck and skill to win. You can learn the game by watching experienced players and figuring out how they play to build your own instincts. The key to good poker is taking risks but not going all-in until you have a strong hand. Taking smaller risks in lower stakes can help you build your comfort level with risk-taking and avoid getting wiped out.

When a player says “raise,” it means they want to add more money to the pot, and the other players can choose whether or not to call it. Alternatively, they can fold their hand and exit the betting round.

The 2 players to the left of the dealer then put in mandatory bets called blinds. These bets are added to the total of each players chips in the pot and create an incentive for people to play.

Once everyone has their two hole cards, another round of betting starts. The 3rd card is dealt face up, called the flop. If your hand is weak, you can say “check” and wait until it comes to your turn again to raise or fold.

Once the bet intervals have ended, each player shows their 5 cards to the other players and the best poker hand wins the pot. If no one has a winning hand, the players who were all-in continue to bet with their remaining chips until there is a showdown.