Poker is a card game in which players make bets and then reveal their hands in a showdown. The winner takes the pot, which is all of the bets placed in a single round. There are many variants of poker, each with its own rules and strategies. The game can be played by any number of players.

In some variations, one or more players are required to make forced bets, called blinds, before the deal begins. These bets are either in addition to the ante or replace it. After the players have matched these bets, they are dealt 2 cards that they keep hidden from other players (called their hole or pocket cards). There is then a betting phase, which starts with the player to the left of the dealer.

After this phase, 3 more cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table, which are called the flop. A further betting phase then commences, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

When you have a strong hand, raise to price all the worse hands out of the pot. If your hand is weak, then you should usually fold as it isn’t worth it to play it.

Understanding ranges is the key to improving your poker strategy. While new players will try to put an opponent on a specific hand, more experienced players work out the range of hands that their opponents could have and adjust accordingly.