The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game played by two to seven players, each having chips that represent money. The object of the game is to have a higher-ranked hand than any other player when all betting rounds are over. The highest-ranked hand wins the pot, which is all of the chips placed in a single hand.

The cards are shuffled and dealt to each player in turn, with one person acting as the dealer. The dealer is usually a non-player, but the position of the dealer can also be passed to another player after each hand. A special chip used to mark the dealer position is called a button, and it moves clockwise around the table after each hand.

When a player’s turn comes, they can choose to make a bet or pass. If they want to match the amount of the last bet or raise, they say “call.” If they don’t wish to make a bet, they can “check,” meaning that they are passing their turn.

The game requires quick instincts, and successful players use their own knowledge of the game along with experience watching others play. A good way to improve your game is to observe experienced players and imagine how you would react in their situation. This will help you develop your own winning instincts!