Poker is a card game where players compete against each other to put together the best five-card hand. There are many different variations of poker, but the basic idea remains the same. Each player is dealt two cards, and a series of betting rounds take place, with the goal of winning the pot. The winner of the pot is the last player with cards in their hand at the end of the final betting round.

Players must use their knowledge of the other players’ hands to make bets that maximize their chances of winning. This involves studying players’ behavior and subtle physical poker tells, as well as making reads about their cards. This process is known as reading your opponent and is an essential part of the game.

In each betting round, a player must place into the pot chips that are at least as much as the previous player’s bet, or raise that amount to “call.” Players can also fold their cards at any time during a hand.

To start the game, each player must buy in with a mandatory amount of chips, which are called “chips.” Each chip has a specific value, usually represented by the color of the chip. For example, a white chip is worth the minimum ante bet; a red chip is usually worth 10 whites; and a blue chip is often worth 25 whites. Players must also have a sufficient number of white chips to cover their blind bets.