Poker is a card game that requires skill to win. It has many different variations, but all share a similar set of rules. The game involves betting on the cards in your hand and on other players’ hands. The goal is to have the highest five-card hand at the end of the hand.

Depending on the game, one or more players are required to place an initial amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. These are called forced bets and usually take the form of an ante or a blind bet. Players also have the option to add chips into the pot voluntarily, for various strategic reasons.

The dealer shuffles the cards and then deals them to the players, starting with the player on their left. The cards may be dealt face up or down. At the end of each betting round, players either call (match the maximum bet made by the player to their left) or raise (put in more than the previous player did). Players can also drop (“fold”), meaning they surrender their hand and lose all of their bets so far in that hand.

The ability to read nonverbal tells, or body language, is a key skill for a successful poker player. This includes eye contact, facial expressions, and body posture, and is a valuable part of the game that can make or break a winning streak. Observing experienced players and imagining how they would react in a certain situation is another effective way to develop your own instincts.