Poker is a card game that requires a certain amount of skill and psychology. There are many different forms of the game, but they all have a few essential features. Players place bets into the pot (a pool of chips or cash), and the highest hand wins. Players may also bluff by betting that they have a high hand when they don’t. If other players call the bet, they must surrender.

A poker hand consists of five cards. The value of a hand is in inverse proportion to its mathematical frequency; a very rare hand, for example, is worth more than a common one. In most cases, the highest pair wins. Two pairs are identical if they contain the same cards in rank and sequence. A flush contains 5 cards of consecutive ranks but from more than one suit. A straight is a sequence of five cards in increasing rank, from ace to king.

When it’s your turn to bet, say “call” if you want to match the last player’s bet. You can also raise the bet by saying “raise.” If you say “call,” you must place the same number of chips in the pot as the person before you.

If you’re not sure if a player has a good hand, watch their body language for tells. For example, a player who blinks frequently could be bluffing with weak cards. Or a player who chews gum might be trying to mask nervousness.