Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is usually a game of chance, but skill can increase your chances of winning. Some skills you can learn through reading or coaching, but you have to take some time to understand the game before you can play well.
The game begins with a forced bet, either an ante or blind bet (or both). The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals them to the players one at a time. The cards may be dealt face up or down, depending on the variant of poker being played. Once the cards have been dealt, the first of several betting rounds begins.
When it is your turn to act, you can either “call” a previous player’s bet by adding chips to the pot; raise the amount of the previous bet (called a ‘raise’); or drop (“fold”) by not contributing any more than your initial stake. You can also verbally announce how many chips you want to bet, or use non-verbal cues such as tapping the table.
Top players often ‘fast-play’ their strong hands, meaning they continue to bet while they have a good hand, in order to build the pot and chase off other players who are holding weaker hands. However, be careful not to tell other players how many chips you are betting, as this can have a detrimental effect on the way they play when it is not your turn.