Poker is a card game that involves betting and strategy. It can be played by two or more players and has a variety of betting structures. The object of the game is to win the pot by having the best hand. The best hand is made of a combination of cards that has the highest value and is unlikely to be beat by other hands. A high value hand will usually force weaker hands to fold and may allow you to bluff against them.

Each player is dealt 2 hole cards and a round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer. The first player to the left has the option of placing a bet in the pot (representing money, for which poker is almost always played). Each subsequent player must either call that amount or raise it. A raise must be at least the amount of the previous bet, but no more than the maximum limit set by the specific game being played. This is known as the pot limit.

Players can learn to read their opponents and their betting habits to increase their chances of winning. For example, a conservative player will not bet early in the hand and can be bluffed into folding. An aggressive player will bet often and can be bluffed into calling. Another tell is a player who blinks frequently or chews gum, which could indicate he is nervous.