Poker is a card game that involves betting between players and requires skill to win. This article is a quick primer to the basic rules of poker, for more information we suggest getting a book on the subject or joining a group that knows how to play.

Each player is forced to make a bet (the amount varies by game) and then receives cards. The dealer then shuffles and deals cards to the players one at a time, starting with the player to their left. Once all the players have received their cards they can either call, raise, or fold. When a player calls they are obligated to match the current bet and must continue to do so until all players either call or raise their bets or fold. Bets are made into a pot in the middle of the table. The winner of the hand is awarded all the chips in the pot.

After the first betting round is complete the dealer reveals three community cards that anyone can use on the board, this is called the flop. The dealer then puts a fourth card on the board that any player can use in the next betting round, this is called the turn.

When a player has a good hand it is important to protect it. The best way to do this is to bet at it, this forces weaker hands out of the pot and increases the value of your hand. Players can also win by bluffing, making bets that they don’t have the best hand and then winning when players call their bets.