Poker is a card game played between two or more players. Using strategies based on probability, psychology, and game theory, the goal is to extract maximum value from winning hands, while minimising losses from losing ones. Unlike most casino games, where money is essentially ‘forced’ into the pot, players place bets only when they believe that it has positive expected value or are trying to bluff others for strategic reasons.

The first step in playing Poker is to establish a betting interval, or round. A player must either match the amount staked by the person to their left or raise it higher. If they cannot or choose not to do this, they must “drop” (fold), leaving the table and letting the next player take their turn.

If they have a strong hand, players can signal it to the rest of the table by raising the bet. This may induce others to call their bet, or it might encourage them to bluff. The players then reveal their cards in a showdown and the winner is determined.

The game is fast-paced, and the players make decisions quickly. The most important thing to know is that you can’t always win! This is where the bluffing element comes in, and one of the reasons why people love to play Poker. There are many variations of the game, including No Limit Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The game is also popular online, with many tournaments and cash games available.