The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game that is played between two or more players and involves betting. Each player is dealt five cards and the best hand wins. There is also a possibility of bluffing. Unlike most card games, poker is almost always played with chips. Each chip is worth a different amount, depending on its color and value. A white chip is worth one unit, a red chip is worth 10 units and a blue chip is usually worth 20 or 25 units.

The game is started when a player to the left of the dealer makes a bet. Then, each player either calls that bet by putting in the same number of chips or raises it. If a player does not call the bet, they are said to drop or fold.

It is important to understand the rules of poker before you start playing. For starters, you must know that a flush beats a straight and three of a kind beats two pair. You should also pay attention to your opponents and learn how to read them. Most poker strategy comes not from subtle physical poker tells or specific hand’s examples but from understanding patterns.

Another important rule is to never be afraid to fold. It’s easy to take the stance that you’ve already put in a lot of money and that you might as well play it out, but you’re better off saving your chips and staying alive a bit longer by folding.