Poker is a card game played by two or more players with the objective of winning a pot (the sum total of all bets made in a given betting interval). The game can be played with 2 to 14 people, but the ideal number of players is 6-8. The game can be played for money or for fun, and it is a great way to build friendships and relationships.

Poker can be a very mentally demanding game. It is important to be able to control your emotions at the table and avoid going “on tilt”. A good strategy will help you win more often than you lose. It is also important to set a bankroll – both for each session and over the long term – and stick to it.

Regardless of the rules of your game, there are some universal principles that apply to all forms of poker. For example, a player must always bet at least as many chips as the player before him. This is called “calling the clock”. It is also important to respect your opponents and only declare your actions when it’s your turn to act. Doing otherwise gives the other players information about your hand and is considered unfair and bad etiquette.

Some poker players are very aggressive at the start of the hand and raise frequently. This is a good strategy, but you should also be able to play a wide range of hands and be careful about calling your opponents down with mediocre cards.