Poker is a card game where players bet into a pot (money) according to the value of their hand. The game has many variations, but most games involve an ante and betting round with one player winning the pot at the end of each hand. Players place bets based on their perceived chances of getting a good hand and other factors, including psychology, math, and game theory. Unlike other gambling games, most poker bets are voluntary and are placed when a player believes that the bet has positive expected value.
Once everyone has their 2 cards, the betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer. Each player can raise or call the bet. A raise adds more money to the pot. A player who calls a bet must match it or fold. If you want to keep your hand, you say stay. Otherwise, you can ask for another card by saying hit.
When the 3rd and 4th cards are dealt, the betting begins again with the player to the left of the dealer. This is called the flop. If you have a strong hand, you can bet big to try to force other players out of the pot.
The dealer then deals a fifth card on the board that everyone can use in their hand. There is one final betting round and the player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot. Players can also check, raise or fold at this time.