A poker game is played between two or more players and involves betting and bluffing. The objective of the game is to use your own cards and the community cards to make the best five-card poker hand. The game has many different variations but all share the same core rules.

The first step in learning to play poker is to familiarize yourself with the basic rules and the structure of each variation. Next, learn the hand rankings and how to bet. Finally, read books on poker to develop a deeper understanding of the game and improve your chances of winning.

During each betting interval (or round) of the game one player puts in chips into the pot that are at least as many as the previous player’s contribution to the pot. Then, it’s the next player’s turn to either “call” the amount put in by the player before them or raise it. If they raise it, the player in their turn must choose whether to call or fold.

The dealer then deals three cards face-up on the table that are community cards that everyone can use (the flop). After the flop betting phase begins players will start to bet on their hands again.

Beginners often assume that they need to play a strong starting hand to win in poker. However, the truth is that you can sometimes steal pots with a weaker hand if you’re in late position. This is because players acting first have less information about their opponents’ starting hands and are therefore more likely to get raised or re-raised.