Poker is a card game played by two or more players on a table with a fixed number of chips. The objective is to have a winning hand at the end of the betting round. The player with the best hand wins the pot, which is a sum of all bets made in that deal. The cards are dealt by a dealer, also called a croupier in some countries.

A basic understanding of the rules is essential for successful play. It is important to learn about the different kinds of poker hands and their ranks, as well as basic strategy and positions. In addition, a good grasp of the bluffing techniques used in poker will be helpful for those who wish to improve their odds of winning.

The game can be played with any number of players, although the ideal amount is between six and eight. There are many variants of the game, but all involve betting and a showdown to determine the winner. The game is largely a competitive skill game, but there is an element of chance involved in any particular hand.

The game starts when one or more players make forced bets, which are either an ante or blind bet. The dealer shuffles the cards, then each player in turn must place their bets into the pot (representing money) to compete for the hand. Each player may call, raise, or fold. A player who calls a bet does so because they believe that the bet has positive expected value or are trying to bluff for strategic reasons.