Poker is a card game that involves betting between players. Each player has a set amount of chips that they are required to place into the pot during each betting interval. Usually, the first player to act places the minimum bet (known as the “blind”). Other players can either call that bet, or raise it by putting in more than the minimum bet amount. They can also choose to “drop” and forfeit any chips they have put into the pot, or simply continue betting until they are forced out of the hand by another player.

The goal is to win the “pot” – all of the bets placed during a single deal. A player can do this by having the highest ranked poker hand when all of the cards are revealed, or by continuing to bet that they have the best poker hand and getting other players to drop out.

One of the key skills in poker is knowing when to fold. If you are holding a weak poker hand, it is often better to fold than keep betting on it, especially when your opponent is raising their bets. Being able to read your opponent’s body language is an important part of this skill. This includes reading their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, and even their betting behavior. In addition, a good bluffing strategy can help you win the game. This is an area that requires considerable skill and a lot of practice.