Poker is a card game that involves betting, reading opponents and making big bluffs. It can be played with 2 to 14 players. It requires a large round table and chairs, plus a number of chips for each player. It is played in rounds, and the object of the game is to win the pot (the total amount of all bets in a single round).

In most games, a player puts in one or more blind bets, known as an ante, before being dealt cards. Once everyone has two cards in their hand, they can begin to raise and re-raise bets during each round.

There are many variations of poker, but most involve the same basic rules. The most common hand is a pair, which includes two distinct cards of the same rank (such as 2 aces). A flush is three cards of the same suit (such as 3 hearts). A straight is five consecutive cards of the same suit (such as 4 aces). The highest card wins ties.

It is important to know the different rules and strategies of poker, including how to read players. This helps you determine if they are being conservative or aggressive, which is important in determining how much to bet and when to bluff. It also helps you identify tells, the unconscious habits of players that reveal information about their hands. These can include eye contact, facial expressions and body language. You should also understand how to calculate odds, which is vital in poker.