Poker is a card game played between two or more players. The goal is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets placed during a hand. A player may raise, call or fold his or her cards.

There are a variety of poker rules and strategies, but it’s important to understand the basics first. Many books offer a thorough explanation of the rules and strategies, but it is also possible to learn from observing other players at the table. Look for tells and body language to see how other players react to the cards they receive. Try to figure out how strong their hands are by studying their behavior.

When players have a good hand, they will usually bet. This forces weaker hands to fold and raises the value of the pot. It’s also possible to bluff, although this takes skill and luck.

After each round, the players reveal their cards and the best hand wins the pot. The winning player can either call, check or fold his or her cards. A player may also choose to make an all-in bet, which means he or she is betting all of his or her remaining chips in the pot.