Poker is a card game that can be played with any number of players. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made during a hand. The pot can be won by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by making a bet that no one else calls.

The game is based on player interaction and reading body language and expressions. It also teaches you how to think quickly and make decisions under pressure. This is a valuable skill to have in life, whether it’s at work or during personal events.

There are many different forms of poker, but most involve six or eight players and a standard deck of 52 cards. After all players have received their two hole cards, a round of betting begins. Each player can either call (match the last bet) or raise. If someone raises, the person to their left must call or raise again to stay in the pot.

Once the betting is done, the flop is dealt. There are now five community cards that everyone can use to make their best poker hand.

This is where the betting really starts to get fun. You can now bet on a straight, flush, three of a kind, or even a full house. You can also fold if you don’t like your cards or want to pass on the action. To bet, you must say “call” or “I call” and place your chips in the pot.