Poker is a card game that requires skill and strategy to win. It can be played between two players or many, as in a casino poker tournament. Depending on the game rules, one or more players may be required to place an initial amount of money into the pot before cards are dealt. This is called a forced bet and comes in the form of antes, blinds or bring-ins.

The object of the game is to have the highest ranking poker hand at the end of the betting sequence. This is accomplished by raising or calling each successive player’s bet in turn. A raise is when you increase your contribution to the pot by adding a number of chips equal to or greater than the total contributed by the player before you. A call is when you match the amount of money raised by your opponents, and a fold is when you remove your cards from the table without placing any more chips into the pot.

The best poker players are patient, read other players well, and know when to quit a game or try again another day. They also have an understanding of pot odds and percentages, and are able to calculate the probability that they will get the cards they need.