Poker is a card game played between two or more players. It is a game of chance, but can also involve skill and psychology. Players choose their actions based on expected value and other factors, such as the risk-reward profile of their hand or the perceived strength of other hands. Some of these decisions are made consciously, while others are made subconsciously.
Depending on the rules of the game, one or more players must place an initial amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. These are known as forced bets and come in the form of antes, blinds, and bring-ins. Unlike the forced bets, all other betting is voluntarily placed by players who either believe their bet has positive expected value or are attempting to bluff other players for strategic reasons.
After each player is dealt 2 cards, they must decide whether to call or raise the current bet. If they call, they must put out chips equal to the amount of the previous bet (called calling). If they raise, they must put out at least double the amount of the previous bet (called raising). If they want to fold their cards, they push them to the dealer facedown without putting any chips in the pot (folded).
The player with the best 5-card hand wins all of the money that has been staked in that round. Sometimes there is a tie between several players with the best hand, in which case the players share the pot equally.