Poker is a card game in which players wager money on the outcome of a hand based on a random distribution of cards. The player with the highest ranked cards wins the pot. Though it involves a significant amount of chance, it is also considered a game of skill. There are many strategies that can increase a player’s chances of winning, and it is important to understand the game before playing.

To begin, players must ante something (amount varies by game) to be dealt cards. Once everyone has their two hole cards, a round of betting begins. During this time, players may choose to fold, call, or raise. The player to the left of the button puts in 2 mandatory bets called blinds, which help to create an incentive for players to play.

Once the bets are placed, 1 more card is dealt face up. This is known as the flop, and another round of betting commences.

During the flop phase of the game, it is important to pay attention to the size of your opponents’ chip stacks. A short-stacked player is more likely to be desperate to win and can be a good target for a bluff. Conversely, a player with a large stack is more difficult to bluff against and should be played conservatively.

One of the most important skills in poker is being able to read your opponent’s body language and tells. This skill is especially important in high-stakes games where players are more likely to make big calls.