Poker is a card game played between two or more players and a dealer. It is a card game that requires a great deal of skill, strategy and luck to win. There are many different variations of poker, but they all have similar elements. A major aspect of poker is reading the other players, including their body language. It is important to know what your opponents are thinking so you can make better decisions. Another important part of poker is understanding your own strengths and weaknesses. If you don’t have a strong hand, it is important to fold quickly. It is also important to learn how to bluff, which can increase your chances of winning.

In most forms of poker, players place a bet into the pot using bet chips when it is their turn to do so. The player whose hand is highest-ranked at the end of the betting round wins. Depending on the rules of the game, some players are required to place an initial amount into the pot by making a forced bet before the cards are dealt. This is known as the ante, blind or bring-in.

The game is a spectator sport and televised tournaments draw large audiences. The game became more popular in the early 21st century, largely because of advances in online poker and hole-card cameras that allowed viewers to see the cards as they were being revealed. Surveys in the United States show that it is the favourite card game of American men, and the third most-favoured after rummy and contract bridge for both sexes.