Poker is a card game that involves skill, strategy and, of course, chance. Players place chips on the outcome of a hand of cards that are randomly distributed to them. While a good hand is a must to win, the way a player bets is what adds most of the skill to the game. The ability to minimize losses with weak hands and maximize winnings with strong ones is the essence of poker strategy.

The game starts with players putting an initial contribution into the pot, called an ante or blind bet. The dealer then shuffles and deals cards to the players one at a time, beginning with the player on the chair to their left. Each player then places a bet into the pot in a round, and at the end of the hand, the highest hand wins the pot.

There are a number of decisions that must be made during the hand, including whether to call or raise and what size to bet. A player can also make a “check” (or pass the turn) by not placing any bets at all. Saying “call” means that you want to match the last person’s bet, and this can be done by putting cash or chips in the pot.

For example, let’s say that you dealt yourself a pair of kings off the deal (not good, but not bad). The player to your right raises a dime. You can call the raise and put a dime into the pot, or you could fold.