Poker is a card game in which players wager on the outcome of a hand. The game has many variations, but all share the same basic rules. One or more players make forced bets (the ante and blind), the dealer shuffles the cards, and then each player receives a set number of cards. Depending on the variant of poker, some cards may be dealt face up and some face down. Once everyone has their cards, a series of betting rounds begins. Each player can raise or fold his or her bet at any time during a betting round. All raised bets go into a central pot, and the winner of each round is determined by comparing the strength of each player’s hand to the others’ hands.

Unlike some card games, where bluffing is often the best strategy, in poker it is usually better to play strong hands aggressively. However, even expert players can lose money by calling bets with weak hands. To avoid this, a player should always balance pot odds with expected return.

A good way to learn more about poker is by reading books or articles on the subject. It’s also helpful to watch experienced players and study their tells, which are unconscious habits that reveal information about their hand. These can be as simple as a change in posture or facial expression. Keeping an eye out for these tells will help you develop your own poker instincts and become more successful.