The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game that involves betting, bluffing and making decisions. It is played all over the world, both with a fixed amount of money and for cash prizes in tournaments. Some people play for fun, while others do it to improve their decision-making skills.

In poker, each player has 2 cards that are dealt face-down and hidden from other players. These cards are called the hole cards or pocket cards. Before the cards are dealt, a round of betting takes place. This is initiated by two mandatory bets known as blinds, which are placed into the pot by the player to the left of the button (or dealer).

After the first round of betting, 3 more cards are dealt face-up on the table, and they become public. These are the community cards that everyone uses to create their best 5-card hand. A new round of betting then begins, this time started by the player to the left of the button.

If you have a good hand, you can call or raise (put more money into the pot). You can also fold, which means that you drop out of the game without showing your cards. If you are unsure what your hand is, it can help to study the bets of other players and try to figure out how strong their hands are. You can also learn to read tells, which are unconscious habits of other players that reveal information about their hands.