Poker is a card game that involves betting between players and sharing a common pot. The highest hand wins the pot. In most games, players must pay an initial ante (the amount varies by game). When it is their turn to bet, they can choose to call, raise or fold their cards.

One of the biggest reasons that professional poker players can make so much money is because they learn to play the game in a very cold, detached, and mathematical way. Beginner players often become emotionally attached to the game and play it in an emotional manner, which is why they struggle to break even.

When playing poker, it is important to know how to read the other players’ actions at the table. This is known as reading body language, and it’s a skill that can be useful in many situations, from business meetings to giving presentations.

The game is played with poker chips, which are usually worth different values depending on the color of the chip. For example, a white chip is usually worth a dollar, while a red chip is worth $5. In addition to the antes and bets, some poker games also involve “blind” bets that each player must make before they are dealt their cards.

When it is your turn to bet, you must say “call” if you want to bet the same amount as the person before you. You can also raise your bet if you want to put more money in the pot than the last person.