Poker is a card game for two or more players, played in private homes, at clubs and in casinos. It is a thriving industry with a wide range of games and tournaments, some televised worldwide.

In poker, the objective is to win a pot, or the sum of all bets made in one round. A player can call (match) the amount of a previous bet, raise it or fold.

Before the cards are dealt, a player may be required to make forced bets, called “ante” or “blind” bets. These bets must be placed in the pot along with the bets of each subsequent player. The dealer then shuffles and deals the cards, one at a time, starting with the player on his left. The cards are either face-up or face down, depending on the particular variant of poker being played.

As the game progresses, the players’ hands develop in different ways. A pair of kings, for example, is a strong hand, and a flop with an ace indicates that other players have three-of-a-kind or straights.

A player can also bluff with certain hands, which are easier to conceal than others. In fact, a good way to improve your bluffing skills is to read about it in books like David Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker. This helps you understand the underlying principles of the game and how to exploit them. You can then test your newfound knowledge by applying it in the real world during a poker session.