Poker is a card game that involves betting. It has many variants, but most involve a hand of five cards. A high-ranking hand usually wins the pot, but players may also win by bluffing.

Before the cards are dealt, each player must place an initial amount into the pot. These forced bets are called antes, blinds, or bring-ins and vary by game. A poker game can be played with two to a maximum of ten players.

After each player places an ante, the cards are dealt face up. A round of betting then takes place. The player to the left of the dealer begins the betting. If the player is holding a strong hand, they can raise the bet to force weaker hands to fold.

If you want to raise the bet on your own hand, say “I call.” You must then match or raise the last player’s bet. If you’re holding a weak hand, say “I fold.”

To play Poker you must be attentive to your opponents and understand the strength of your hand. You must also manage your bankroll and not overcommit to one hand. To help you with this, memorize the poker hand rankings. This will help you bluff better. If you’re not a good bluffer, it is best to play fewer hands and bet more aggressively when you do have a strong hand. This will make your opponents think twice about calling your bluffs. It will also increase the value of your pots.