Poker is a card game in which players make wagers before seeing their cards. The highest hand wins the pot, which is all of the chips that have been placed into the betting pool during a single deal. Players can also raise during the course of a hand, which adds additional money to the pot.
The rules of poker are relatively simple and can be learned quickly. A good start is to familiarize yourself with the game’s basic strategies, such as relative hand strength and betting options. It can also be helpful to watch poker games on TV or online to get a feel for the game and see how professional players play.
After all players have received their two hole cards, a third card is dealt face up on the table, called the flop. A new round of betting begins, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. This bet is known as a “call.”
If you have a strong hand such as pocket kings or queens, it may be worth raising. However, you should be wary if the board is full of flush and straight cards. This is because your opponents might have a strong hand that you can’t beat, such as four of a kind or a flush.