Poker is a card game played by 2 or more players with a shared pot of chips. The game is fast-paced and the players can choose to check, bet or fold at any point during the turn. The game is popular in many countries worldwide and has become an integral part of casino entertainment and on some cruise ships.

In poker, each player has two cards which are dealt face up. There are five community cards that form the “board”. The aim is to make a best 5-card hand using your own two hole cards and the board cards. Once all the players have completed their action, a fifth card is dealt (the “River”). A showdown happens at this point where the best 5 cards are revealed. The winner is the player who has the strongest hand according to the poker rules sheet.

To be a good poker player, it is important to be disciplined and have strong focus. It is also essential to have a solid understanding of the game, including all its different variants. Additionally, you should be able to read your opponents well and pick up their tells. This includes things like body language, the way they handle their chips and cards, and their mood shifts. This will help you to maximise your winning hands and minimise your losses when you have a losing hand. This is called Min-Max.