Poker is a card game played by two or more players with chips representing money. It is the most popular card game in the world and is played in private homes, in clubs and in casinos. Poker is a game of strategy and chance, with the object being to have the highest-ranked hand when the cards are revealed at the end of the hand. The player with the highest-ranked hand wins the “pot,” which is all of the money that has been bet during that deal.
Before a hand starts the person to the left of the dealer puts in a small amount of money, called the blind. Then, the player to their left places in a larger amount of money, called the big blind. This creates a pot of money and encourages competition.
After everyone has bet once, the dealer deals three cards face-up on the table, called the flop. Everyone who is still in the hand gets another opportunity to check, raise or fold. After the flop betting round is complete the dealer puts a fourth card on the table that anyone can use, called the turn.
When it is your turn to bet, you can say “call” if you want to place the same amount in the pot as the last player. You can also say “raise” if you want to increase the amount you’re betting. It’s important to understand how to play these basic hands, but there are other rules that must be followed to avoid violating the etiquette of poker.