Poker is a card game played between 2 and 14 players with the aim of winning the pot (the total amount of all bets made in a single deal). It has become a popular pastime for many people, both as a social activity and as a competition. It has been referred to as the national card game of the United States, and its play and jargon have permeated American culture.

Each player places a bet, called an ante or a bet, into the pot using chips of varying colors and values representing money. A player may choose to fold, call, or raise a bet. A raise indicates that a player has better cards than the other players and can win the hand.

Once all players have received their two hole cards, the dealer deals three more community cards, known as the flop. There is another round of betting, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

An important skill in poker is the ability to read other players and pick up on their “tells.” These are unconscious habits that reveal information about a player’s hands. Typical tells include eye contact, facial expressions, and body language. It is also helpful to pay attention to how a player plays the game, especially when they are not involved in a hand, as they can often be more revealing. Inexperienced players should be observant of their opponents and try to learn as much as they can about the way they play.