Poker is a card game that can be played with any number of players. The objective is to win the pot, which represents all bets made during a single deal. A player can win the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by bluffing. The game involves skill, probability, psychology and game theory.

A typical poker game starts with two personal cards that each player holds. These are then combined with the five community cards that are revealed during the betting stages called “the flop”, “the turn” and “the river”.

There are three ways to place your chips into the pot: call, raise or fold. A player who chooses to call must bet an amount equal to the last bet made by another player. If you want to bet more than the last player, then you must raise your bet.

One of the most important skills in poker is understanding how to read other players. Observe how other players bet and the type of poker hands they have. Aggressive players will often bet high in early betting phases. Conservative players, on the other hand, will often fold their cards early. Both types of players can be beaten by more experienced players who know how to play their styles.

Another important skill is determining the right time to bluff. Bluffing requires a lot of consideration, including the size of your opponent’s stack, their range and the pot odds. It is best to bluff only when your opponent’s reaction indicates that you have the strength of your hand to make it profitable.