Poker is a card game where players wager money and have the chance to win. The player with the best 5-card hand wins the pot, which is all the money that was put down as buy-in at the table. There are many rules and strategies for playing poker, but a winning hand mostly depends on luck and the ability to make good calls and bluffs. The game has become very popular and is often played as a social activity.

The game begins with one or more forced bets, called blind bets, made by the players to the left of the dealer. These bets can replace the ante or come in addition to it. After the forced bets are placed, the shuffle and cut take place, and the cards are dealt to each player. Each player is dealt 2 cards. These cards are their hole cards and may be seen by all other players at the table.

After the first round of betting, a fourth community card is revealed. This card is called the turn, and another round of betting begins. Then a fifth community card is revealed, called the river. A final betting round is then held, and the best hand is announced.

When it is your turn to act, you can call a bet by saying “call” or “I call.” This means that you will match the last raise and place the same amount of money in the pot as the player before you. You can also say “check” if you do not want to raise, and simply wait for the other players to act.