Poker is a card game where the object is to form the highest-ranking hand using your own cards and those of the community to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets placed during one deal. The game can be played with any number of players, but the ideal is six or seven players. Each player has a forced bet amount to contribute to the pot before the cards are dealt, and there are many different strategies to employ. The key elements of the game include understanding position, observing your opponents for tells and reading them, learning how to calculate odds, and adapting your strategy as you play.

You say “call” to place a bet equal to the last person’s raise when it’s your turn to act. If you don’t want to call, you can fold your hand instead. It’s important to understand the importance of position in Poker, as having last action gives you a big advantage over your opponents.

Once the first betting round is complete the dealer deals three cards face-up on the table that are community cards that anyone can use. This is called the flop. After the flop is revealed you can continue to bet or you can fold your hand.

Keep in mind that the flop is where your luck can really turn for the worse. Pocket kings or queens on the flop can be crushed by an ace, so it’s always good to be wary when you have those types of hands and pay attention to what other players are doing.