Poker is a card game with betting and a set of rules for winning. It can be played by two to 14 players, with a minimum of four players. The object is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made during a hand.
The game begins when each player pays an ante (the amount varies by game) to be dealt cards. After that, players place bets in the center of the table called the pot. The highest hand wins the pot. If no one raises on a particular betting round, the player that bets collects the pot without showing his hand. If a player has a high enough hand, he can also win the pot by making a bet that no other players call.
Bluffing is a major part of the game, and good bluffing skills can make a bad hand competitive. Using proper strategy is essential, as is reading your opponents.
Practice and watch other players play to develop quick instincts. Learn to read your opponents by watching their body language and facial expressions, as well as how they move chips around the table. Try to figure out what type of player you’re dealing with — conservative players fold early and can be easily bluffed, while aggressive players are risk-takers and can be difficult to read.