Poker is a popular card game in which players wager chips against one another. The goal is to obtain the highest possible hand by drawing cards and betting. There are hundreds of different poker variants, but the basic rules of the game remain similar in all versions.

The game begins with each player taking a pack of cards and dealing them in rotation to the left, one card faceup at a time. The dealer receives the first jack and acts first in all subsequent betting intervals; he also has the last right to shuffle.

After a deal, each player has the opportunity to make a bet or raise in the pot, which is then distributed to each active player. Generally, the first bet or raise is a small amount and increases in size in later betting rounds, until the total is capped.

When it is the player’s turn to act, he or she may call (match the amount of the last bet or raise), fold, or raise. Raise is usually made when the player thinks his or her hand is strong, or he or she wishes to impress other players.

Betting in Poker is a delicate process, and novices often throw caution to the wind, betting too much or too little. Beginners should learn the tells of other players (eye movements, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures, and betting behavior).

Bluffing is a key element in Poker, and it is important to read other players’ cards carefully. If they often check when you should bet, or frequently call when you should be raising, that’s a good sign that they’re holding something that isn’t worth betting against.