Poker is a card game in which players place bets (representing money) into a central pot. While the outcome of any particular hand has some element of chance, a player’s long-run expectations are determined by his or her actions chosen on the basis of probability, psychology, and game theory.

The game begins with one or more forced bets, called the ante and blind bets. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals each player a number of cards, face up or down, depending on the game variant. During the first betting round, each player must place enough chips into the pot to cover his or her ante and blind bets plus any additional bets made by other players before him.

Throughout the rest of the betting, players must bet on the strength of their cards in order to win the pot. Depending on the rules of the game, players may draw replacement cards after each betting round and before the showdown.

A good poker player is able to read other players and understand their tells (eye movements, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures, betting behavior etc). For example, a player who calls frequently and then raises suddenly could be holding a monster. A player who chews gum might be trying to mask nervousness. It’s important for a poker player to be able to spot these little chinks in the armor and exploit them. It’s also important to have patience and only call bets when you think you have a strong hand.