Poker is a card game where you try to make the best five-card hand or convince your opponents that you have one. While there is a slice of luck involved, you can gain an edge through the way you bet and your ability to read other players.

You start the game by putting in a small amount of money (known as the ante) to get your cards dealt. After that, there is a round of betting where players put chips into the pot to raise or call bets. Eventually, the highest hand wins the pot of chips.

There are a few different types of poker games, but they all share the same basic rules. The game is played with poker chips that have various colors and values. The white chip is the lowest, and each color represents a different value. For example, a blue chip might be worth 10 or 20 whites.

Once the first round of betting is over, a second set of cards is dealt face up. Then there is another round of betting, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

To play poker well, you need to learn the game’s rules and develop good instincts. You can do this by playing often and watching experienced players to see how they react in different situations. Eventually, you will be able to read your opponents’ faces and calculate odds for yourself, which can help you make better decisions.