Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players. The object of the game is to use the cards you have to create the best five-card poker hand possible. You can also win by bluffing and making other players believe you have a strong hand when you don’t. There are many different variations of the game, but each one shares a few core principles.

The first step to learning poker is familiarizing yourself with the rules. Educate yourself on hand rankings, betting rounds and the structure of the game. There are many online resources that can help you understand the rules and improve your game. In addition, it is important to practice often and to always play with full concentration.

Some players must place an initial amount of money into the pot before they receive their cards. This is known as the ante. Depending on the game, there may be additional forced bets known as blind bets.

When it’s your turn to act, you must decide whether to call a bet or raise it. If the player to your left raised, you can say “call” to match their bet.

If you have a strong poker hand, you should bet it to force weaker hands out of the pot and increase the value of your hand. You should also bluff often to improve your chances of winning. The more you play and watch experienced players, the faster you will learn the game and develop good instincts.