Poker is a card game played by two or more players with chips. There are usually several betting intervals in a hand, and each player must raise or fold according to the other players’ actions. The person with the best poker hand wins the pot. Depending on the rules, a player may also be allowed to discard up to three cards and take new ones from the table at the end of a betting interval.
There are many different forms of poker, but the most common uses chips worth one unit or multiple units. A white chip is typically worth the minimum ante or bet; a red chip is normally worth five whites, and a blue chip is usually worth 20 or more whites.
A winning poker strategy begins with playing in position, meaning that your opponents have to act before you do. This gives you key insights into their hand strength, such as whether they are conservative or aggressive. A conservative player will fold early and avoid high betting, while an aggressive player will bet high and risk losing their entire stack to a good bluff.
Observing other players’ tells can also help you read their hands. For example, if a player fiddles with their chips or wears a certain ring, they are likely nervous and probably have a strong hand. Knowing how to interpret these signs will make you a better poker player.