Poker is a card game in which players place bets against each other with their chips. The player with the best hand wins. Players are also encouraged to bluff during the game, as this can increase their chances of winning the pot.

Before the cards are dealt, the players must put up a mandatory bet called blinds. This money is then placed into the pot and the players receive their 2 hole cards. There is then a round of betting, which starts with the player to the left of the dealer button.

Each player must either “call” that bet, meaning they put in the same amount as the person before them, or raise (which means they add more chips into the pot). The player can also choose to fold their hand, if it isn’t good enough.

Once everyone has bet, the flop is revealed. This is another chance for players to make better hands, so there is usually a second round of betting.

The final stage is the showdown, where each player shows their cards. The player with the best hand wins the pot. If no one has a winning hand, the pot is split. Some games have rules about how the winnings are shared at the end of the session, and some players even agree to share some of their winnings with the dealer, in order to maintain a level playing field. This ensures that the dealers don’t always win every hand, and encourages players to make a good showing when they do have a strong hand.