Poker is a game that requires a lot of thinking, risk management and the ability to read both your opponents and the situation. It is also a game that can teach you a lot about money.
The object of the game is to win a pot, which is the sum of all bets in a given hand. You can do this either by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by making a bet that no one calls. There are many different types of poker, but most involve a maximum of seven players.
Each player starts the game with two cards in their hands and then a round of betting takes place. During this process the dealer will usually draw replacement cards to replace the ones that were originally dealt. This is called the flop and is a great time to start paying attention to your opponents. A large amount of poker reads come from patterns that your opponents display and not from subtle physical tells.
When it is your turn to act, you can say “call” to make a bet that matches the last bet made or raise your bet. You can also fold if you don’t want to bet. Acting first allows you to see more of your opponent’s cards and gives you more bluff equity, but it is always risky. You should only raise if you think you have the best hand and can outrun your opponent’s strong hands.