Poker is a card game that involves betting and forming a hand with 5 cards. It can be played with any number of players. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum total of all the bets placed during a single deal. This can be done by having the highest-ranking hand or by making a bet that no one calls.

Players begin the game by receiving 2 hole cards. A round of betting is then initiated by the player to the left of the dealer. Once the betting round is over, 3 more cards are dealt face up, called the flop.

At this point, players must decide whether to fold their hand, call a bet, or raise. A good rule of thumb is to always raise if you have a strong hand, as this will force weaker hands out and increase the value of your pot. If you have a weak hand, however, it is best to just fold and not risk losing any money.

Many novices believe that bluffing is the key to winning poker, and while it is true that bluffing can be effective, it is also important to understand your opponent’s range. Rather than trying to put your opponent on a specific hand, more experienced players work out the full selection of possible hands that their opponents could have, and determine how likely it is that any one of these hands will beat theirs.