Poker is a card game in which players make wagers by placing chips into a pot before seeing their cards. Each round begins with 2 mandatory bets called blinds placed by the players to the left of the dealer. This creates a pot right away and encourages competition.

After the blinds are placed, everyone gets 2 cards which are their hole cards. There is then a betting round in which players can choose to call, raise or fold their hand. Once the betting is complete a third card is dealt face up on the table which all players can use, this is known as the flop. After the flop there is another betting round. This time all players still in the hand can raise their bets or fold their hands.

Players then take turns clockwise around the table revealing their hands. If you have a good starting hand such as pocket kings or queens then an ace on the flop should be a cause for concern. If you raise a bet you must match the previous player’s raise or fold your hand.

The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot. The pot consists of all bets placed during the hand. The dealers also win the pot if they have the best hand or if all players bust out. Poker is a very addicting and fun game to play, but it can be hard for beginners to get the hang of it. It is best to ask for help from experienced players and observe them before trying it yourself. Many beginner players think of each hand individually instead of in terms of ranges, which makes them more prone to making mistakes.