Poker is a card game in which players wager money on the outcome of a hand. The game varies in the number of cards dealt, whether the cards are shared or kept private, and the rules regarding raising and re-raising bets. It is widely considered to be a game of chance, but many of the decisions made by players in a hand are determined by strategy based on probability, psychology, and game theory.

The game can be played by two or more people, and the object is to win the pot, or the aggregate amount of bets placed in a single deal. In most games, a minimum amount of money is required to be placed in the pot before players are dealt cards. This initial bet is usually called the blind or the ante. Once the bets are in place, each player is dealt a hand of five cards.

Each player then has the opportunity to bet, check, raise or fold their cards. After the third round of betting, a fourth community card is revealed on the board called the turn. Another round of betting takes place and the highest ranked hand wins the pot.

Once you’ve learned the basic rules of the game it’s important to study your opponents and make educated guesses about what type of hands they might be holding. This is what’s known as reading other players and it can be very beneficial to your poker game.