Poker is a card game that involves betting between two or more players. The person with the highest ranking hand wins the “pot” – all the money that has been bet during a hand. This is usually done after the flop, turn and river have been revealed.

There are many different strategies for playing poker, and every player has their own style. Some top players have written books about their approach, but it’s also important to practice and evaluate your own play. The best poker players are patient, read other players well and can adapt to changing situations.

To begin a hand, each player puts in a bet. Say “call” if you want to match the last player’s bet or raise it. Say “fold” if you don’t have a strong enough hand to call or raise. If you’re the first to raise, other players will have the option of raising you, as well.

Once all bets are made, the dealer reveals the flop, turn and river. The player with the highest ranked five-card hand wins the pot. If nobody has a high enough hand to win, the players with lower hands share the pot.

If you’re a newbie, reading about the game is a great way to learn more about it. It’s also a good idea to take part in a few tournaments, to get a feel for how the game is played in real life. The more you play and observe, the better your instincts will become.