Poker is a game where you bet against other players in order to win the pot. The game starts with all players putting in an amount of money called an ante (the amount varies by game). Then you get dealt cards. Once everyone has their cards, you can bet again. The highest hand wins the pot.

When it’s your turn to bet you can say “call” to put up the same amount of money as the last player (or raise if they raised). You also have the option to fold. If you fold, your cards are tossed away and you don’t have to continue betting on that hand.

Each poker variant has its own rules regarding how the cards are dealt. However, the basics are pretty much the same: you are dealt 2 cards and then bet against other players to determine who has the best poker hand.

After a certain number of rounds of betting, the final betting phase begins. Players take turns revealing their cards and the highest ranked hand wins the pot.

When you play poker, be polite and try to avoid offending other players. For example, don’t talk over other players or suck up to them. It’s not cool, and it could distract from your game. You should also be clear about your betting, so other players don’t have to guess at how much you want to raise. It’s also a good idea to keep track of your winnings and losses so that you can stay within your bankroll when gambling in poker.