Poker is a card game that has many variants, but the object of all forms of the game is to win the pot by getting one or more poker hands. The game is played between two or more players and each player places chips into the pot when it is their turn to act. Players may call a bet by placing the same amount of chips into the pot as the player to their left, raise by making a larger bet than the previous player, or drop by putting no chips in the pot and discarding their hand.

When the dealer puts three cards face up on the table in the first betting round it is called the flop. After the flop is dealt there will be another betting round and then the dealer will put down a fourth card that anyone can use which is called the river.

A strong poker hand consists of any 5 cards of the same rank, or any 4 matching cards with one unmatched card (a pair). A flush contains five consecutive cards of the same suit. A straight consists of five cards of the same rank in sequence. A full house consists of three matching cards of the same rank, and two other matching cards (a pair).

In poker you need to be willing to bet your best hands. A lot of newbies prefer to call because they don’t want to risk more money on a weak hand, but betting is the stronger play. If you bet you can force people to fold their better hands and you will have more bluffing opportunities. Position is also important because it will give you a better idea of what your opponents have and allows you to make more accurate value bets.