Poker is a card game in which players bet chips (representing money) against each other. The player with the best hand wins the pot. The game can be played by one or more people and is often fast-paced. Players can choose to call a bet, raise a bet, or fold their cards. They can also check, meaning that they don’t want to place a bet and will wait until it is their turn again.

A key strategy in poker is to bet aggressively when you have a strong hand. This forces weaker hands out of the game and increases your chances of winning. However, you must always play within your means and be careful not to let your ego get in the way of making sound decisions.

Another important aspect of poker is learning to read your opponents. This involves observing their body language, facial expressions, gestures and breathing. Getting to know their tells can help you make more informed betting decisions and win more hands.

Before each deal, players must pay an initial amount of money into the pot. This is called the ante or blind. After all players have their cards, a betting phase begins. The player to the left of the big blind starts the betting and can choose to call, raise or fold his or her hand. After the pre-flop betting phase, three additional cards are dealt face up to the table and revealed to all players. These are called the flop and can be used to make a 5-card hand.