Poker is a card game played between two or more players. Each player places a bet (either in chips or cash) into the pot and then acts in turn. The player with the best hand wins the pot. Poker can be found in many variations, ranging from very simple games to more complex ones that allow for strategy and betting.
Before betting begins, players must place a forced bet, called the ante. Then the dealer shuffles the cards and deals them one at a time to each player, starting with the player on their left. The cards may be dealt face up or down, depending on the variant being played.
Once all the cards have been dealt, the first of many betting rounds begins. During each round, the players can choose to raise or call a bet made by the player before them. If they call, they must put enough chips into the pot to cover the total amount raised by the player before them. This is called being “in the pot.”
Once the flop is revealed, a player’s luck can change dramatically. If they have a strong hand, they can continue to bet and force weaker hands out of the game. If they have a bad hand, they can also try to bluff their way out of it. Sometimes, with a little bit of luck and good bluffing skills, even a terrible hand can win the game!