Poker is a game of cards in which players compete to form the best possible five-card hand according to a set of rules. The player with the highest ranking hand wins the pot at the end of each betting round.
Generally, the game is played with chips, which represent money, rather than cash. There are a few reasons for this, including that it is easier to stack, count, and keep track of chips than it is to deal in piles of cash. Chips are also easier to make change with than cash, making them the preferred currency of most poker players.
When it is your turn to bet you must either call the previous player’s raise or fold. To call you must place a number of chips into the pot equal to or higher than the amount raised.
One of the keys to being a winning poker player is learning to read other players and pick up on their tells, such as their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, and betting behavior. For example, if an opponent calls frequently and then raises a large amount, it may indicate that they have a good hand.
Once the first betting round is complete the dealer deals three cards face-up on the table that everyone can use. This is called the flop.