Poker is a card game that can be played with any number of people. The rules vary according to the variant of the game but the object is always the same – to win the pot (the sum total of all bets made in a deal).

Each player begins the hand by receiving 2 cards face down. After this there is a round of betting based on the value of the players’ cards. Players can check (pass on betting) or bet (put chips into the pot for others to match or exceed). There are also raises, where a player puts more than an opponent’s previous bet.

There is then a flop, turn and river dealt which add to the value of the hand. The winner is the player who has the highest ranked hand at the end of the round.

It is important to be able to read your opponents, especially when you’re playing poker in a live environment. Being able to identify the weak areas of their games, such as not calling enough large bets or playing their draws too tight, is an essential part of good poker strategy.