Poker is a card game played between 2 or more players. It can be played in a variety of ways, but all poker games have the same basic rules. The goal of the game is to win a pot, which is the sum of all bets made in a round.

To begin a hand, each player must buy in for a set amount of chips (usually white or light-colored and representing money), called an ante or a bet. Once all players have bought in, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals one card to each player in turn, beginning with the player on their left. The card may be face up or face down, depending on the variant of poker being played. After each deal, the first of several betting rounds begins. During the betting rounds, players develop their hands by adding or replacing cards. The cards are then gathered into a central pot for a showdown.

Unlike other casino games, poker is very fast-paced. When it is your turn to act, you can choose to bet, call, or fold. You can also “raise” if you wish to increase the amount of money you’re betting. If you raise, other players must either call your new bet or fold. If you decide to fold, you must forfeit your cards and your bets. Taking risks is essential to being successful in poker, but you should build your comfort level with risk-taking gradually by taking small risks in low-stakes situations.